Conference Champions Jacksonville State and Ohio Face Off in 2024 StaffDNA Cure Bowl

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ORLANDO, Fla. – On Saturday, ESPN Events and the Orlando Sports Foundation (OSF) revealed that the 2024 StaffDNA Cure Bowl will feature the CUSA Champion Jacksonville State Gamecocks (Jax State) facing off against Mid-American Conference Champion Ohio Bobcats at Camping World Stadium. The game is set to kick off at noon ET on Friday, Dec. 20, broadcast live on ESPN. 
 
This year’s StaffDNA Cure Bowl marks its 10th anniversary, showcasing two conference champions for only the second time in its history. The inaugural dual-champion matchup occurred in 2022 when No. 24 Troy narrowly defeated No. 25 UTSA, 18-12. Both Jax State and Ohio are among seven conference champions that have previously participated in the StaffDNA Cure Bowl.
 
“As representative of the Orlando Sports Foundation, we are thrilled to welcome Ohio and Jacksonville State to the StaffDNA Cure Bowl,” stated Alan Gooch, Orlando Sports Foundation CEO and Executive Director of the StaffDNA Cure Bowl. “This gameday will be momentous as college football enthusiasts, cancer survivors, supporters, and both bands unite in the Owens Corning March 2Cure before the teams enter Camping World Stadium to battle it out.” 
 
Ohio is set for its 16th bowl appearance, while Jax State will make its second bowl trip in just its second season in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). This contest marks the first meeting between Ohio (10-3, 7-1 MAC) and Jax State (9-4, 7-1 C-USA) on the football field. 
 
“The mission of the StaffDNA Cure Bowl is consistently about uniting teams to aid in the fight against cancer,” remarked Jordan Edwards, President of the Orlando Sports Foundation. “Jax State and Ohio will continue our tradition of promoting awareness for cancer research.” 
 
The StaffDNA Cure Bowl is one of numerous fundraising initiatives conducted by the Orlando Sports Foundation in support of cancer research. Since 2015, more than $4.14 million has been raised, while local Orlando researcher Dr. Annette Khaled at UCF College of Medicine has received $1.63 million from these funds. 
 
Ticket prices start at $39 and will be available for purchase starting at 4 p.m. Fans can acquire tickets by clicking here.
 
The Owens Corning^® March 2Cure is a complimentary block party kicking off at 8 am featuring Fan Fest presented by Tomb Slayer Radio on the fields adjacent to Camping World Stadium. This celebration will include a cancer tribute march with team bands, dignitaries, cancer survivors, supporters, and the Orlando community before the entry into the stadium.
 
JACKSONVILLE STATE GAMECOCKS (9-4, 7-1 CUSA)

• Jax State secured its inaugural C-USA Championship with a dominant 52-12 win over Western Kentucky on Friday. C-USA Championship MVP Quarterback Tyler Huff accounted for three touchdowns, including a rushing touchdown, alongside 176 passing yards and 167 rushing yards. 
• The Gamecocks are only in their second year at the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) level and have achieved back-to-back bowl game invitations. Last year, they triumphed 34-31 (OT) over Louisiana in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl. 
• Jax State presents a dynamic offense, averaging a play every 22.9 seconds, the eighth fastest rate in the country.
• Jax State leads with the second-best rushing offense, gaining an average of 267.3 yards per game. They put up 35.4 points each game, ranking 18th nationwide. Running back Tre Stewart ranks in the Top 10 for rushing TDs (20), rushing yards (1,403), and total touchdowns (21).
• The potent partnership of Stewart (1,604 yards) and quarterback Tyler Huff (1,343 yards) both exceeded 1,000 rushing yards this season. Stewart has crossed the goal line 23 times, while Huff has recorded 14 rushing touchdowns.
• Quarterback Tyler Huff has amassed 2,179 passing yards and thrown 13 touchdowns.
• Leading receivers Cam Vaughn and Michael Pettway have each logged 620 and 454 yards respectively, along with three touchdowns.
• The Gamecocks’ defense has forced 22 turnovers, ranking 30th in the nation. Fred Perry has produced three forced fumbles, while Zechariah Poyser and Geimere Latimer have each nabbed three interceptions.
• Leading tacklers for Jax State include Antonio Carter II and Fred Perry with 103 and 97 tackles each. Reginald Hughes leads the team with 4.5 sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss.
• Head Coach Rich Rodriguez is in his third year directing the Gamecocks, holding a 27-10 record, and ranks seventh among current coaches for career wins (190). 

“We are incredibly honored to accept an invitation to the 10th annual Cure Bowl in Orlando. We are excited to compete on a national stage and proud to support the Cure Bowl’s meaningful mission in the fight against cancer. I know our team, fans, and alumni will have a great time and create some unforgettable memories in this prestigious event.”
– Jacksonville State Vice President for Athletics, Greg Seitz
  
OHIO BOBCATS (10-3, 7-1 MAC) 

• Ohio claimed a decisive 38-3 win over Miami (Ohio), capturing its first MAC Championship since 1968 and its sixth overall in the program’s history. The undefeated 1968 Bobcats also had a journey to Orlando for the Tangerine Bowl (the same site as Camping World Stadium). 
• The Bobcats have achieved 10-win seasons in each of the last three years, with six total double-digit win seasons, the first being in 1960.
• Ohio made history as the first MAC team to win five consecutive bowl games, achieving this feat last year at the Myrtle Beach Bowl, emulating Marshall’s success from 1998-2002. 
• The Bobcats boast a Top-10 rushing defense that ranks seventh in the nation, allowing just 97 yards per game, contributing to a total defense ranking of 13th, yielding a mere 304.1 yards per game. Ohio restricts opponents to 18.7 points per game (17th overall).
• Ohio’s rushing offense holds the 14th spot nationally, achieving 209.1 yards per contest and maintaining possession for 31:55 each match (20th overall).
• The rushing attack is spearheaded by running back Anthony Tyus II, with 960 rushing yards and nine touchdowns, including a career-best 203 rushing yards against Syracuse.
• Quarterback Parker Navarro has accumulated 1,934 passing yards and 10 touchdowns, while also recording 876 rushing yards with a team-leading 13 rushing touchdowns. 
• Two Bobcats earned spots on the All-MAC First Team: Coleman Owen, the program’s third receiver to surpass 1,000 yards in a season, and Bradley Weaver, who leads the defense with 12.5 tackles for loss and eight sacks as a defensive end.
• Five Bobcats – QB Parker Navarro, OL Parker Titsworth, OL, Carson Heidecker, RB Anthony Tyus III and S DJ Walker – achieved All-MAC Second Team honors.
• MAC Coach of the Year Tim Albin has led the Bobcats to two conference title game appearances in his initial four seasons. 

About StaffDNA
Founded in Plano, Texas, in 2020, StaffDNA® developed the industry’s pioneering Digital Marketplace for Healthcare Careers®, a patent-pending system that directly connects job seekers with healthcare facilities seeking workforce solutions. Job seekers benefit from transparent job and pay information upfront, while hiring managers can engage with candidates in real-time for open positions. The platform covers all professions, specialties, job types, and a broad spectrum of settings across the nation. StaffDNA® has received multiple accolades for being a top employer, one of the fastest-growing companies, and for its innovative technology. 
For more details, visit StaffDNA.com or contact 888.988.7323. The StaffDNA® app is available for download in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. 
 
About the StaffDNA Cure Bowl
The StaffDNA Cure Bowl transcends a typical game. It serves as a hub for raising awareness for cancer research and paying tribute to those battling cancer or who have triumphed over it. Proceeds from the StaffDNA Cure Bowl directly support cancer research organizations, including the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF). Since its inception, the bowl has collectively raised $4.1 million for cancer research. To find out more, visit CureBowl.com 
 
About the Orlando Sports Foundation 
The Orlando Sports Foundation (OSF) is a recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit membership organization committed to generating funding and promoting awareness for cancer research. The OSF organizes various events annually, including the Cure Bowl, which takes place each December as an NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) college football bowl game.
 
Supported by Central Floridians, avid sports fans, and valued partners, the OSF is dedicated to addressing cancer awareness and eradication by energizing the Central Florida athletic community through its Cure All Stars events and backing youth organizations that adhere to benevolence, integrity, and moral excellence.
 
The OSF collaborates with stakeholders to engage the entire community in the journey toward a cure for cancer. Emphasizing research is crucial, as we recognize that dealing with cancer will be necessary until a solution is achieved. The OSF aims its efforts at cancer due to its impact on countless lives globally, as cancer does not discriminate. Together, we can confront this challenge. Click here to contribute.

About ESPN Events 
ESPN Events, a branch of ESPN, manages an array of collegiate sporting events throughout the United States. In 2024, the 34-event agenda encompasses four early-season college football kickoff games, 17 college bowl games, 10 college basketball games, premier regular-season college softball and gymnastics events, in addition to the inaugural Band of the Year National Championship. Collectively, these events contribute over 400 hours of live broadcast on ESPN platforms, reaching 60 million viewers and drawing in excess of 650,000 attendees yearly. The event portfolio highlights more than 20 Division I conferences and involves over 4,000 participating student-athletes. With satellite offices in over 10 cities nationwide, ESPN Events cultivates partnerships with conferences, schools, and local communities, while offering unique experiences for teams and fans. Follow ESPN Events on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.  

Media contacts 
StaffDNA Cure Bowl: Nate Blythe at nblythe@theosf.com
ESPN: Danny Chi at Danny.C.Chi@espn.com / Andrea DiCristoforo at Andrea.DiCristoforo@espn.com

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