Troy, Jax State welcome FCS opponents in Week 1 action

Troy and Jacksonville State both host FCS opponents in Week 1 of the 2023 college football season.

The Trojans host Stephen F. Austin for their season-opener at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Troy. The Gamecocks, a Week Zero victory over UTEP already under their belts, take on East Tennessee State at Burgess-Snow Stadium in Jacksonville.

Stephen F. Austin at Troy, 6 p.m. (ESPN+)

It’s a matchup of 2022 conference title teams at “The Vet” on Saturday night, as the reigning Sun Belt champion Trojans host the Lumberjacks, winners of the WAC title a year ago.

The Trojans come into the night carrying an 11-game winning streak, second-longest in the FBS after Georgia’s 15-gamer. Troy is strong on the defensive front, led by nose guard Buddha Jones and speedy edge-rushers Richard Jibunor and Javon Solomon (the status of All-Sun Belt defensive end T.J. Jackson remains unclear following an offseason suspension).

Stephen F. Austin, 6-5 a year ago, are now a member of the United Athletic Conference, which combines members of the WAC and ASUN to form a 9-team, football-only league. The Lumberjacks are 0-6 all-time vs. the Trojans, though the last meeting came in 2000.

It’s also DeMarcus Ware Day in Troy, as the Trojans welcome back the 2004 Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year and 2023 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee for a day-long celebration. Ware will be honored on the field prior to the game, and throughout the night with video highlights of his college and pro careers.

Jacksonville State defensive lineman Jeff Marks (57) hops on a fumble vs. UTEP last Saturday. The Gamecocks forced three turnovers in the game. (Brandon Phillips/Jacksonville State athletics)

East Tennessee State at Jacksonville State (1-0), 1 p.m. (ESPN+)

The Gamecocks got the jump on most everyone in the FBS with a 17-14 win over UTEP last week, their first win as both an FBS program and as a member of Conference USA.

Jax State takes a step out of FBS play in hosting ETSU, a team it last faced in the 2018 FCS playoffs. The Bucs won that game, also played in Jacksonville, 34-27.

The Gamecocks ran for 208 yards as a team vs. UTEP, but quarterback Zion Webb completed only 10 of 20 passes for 67 yards. Jax State got outgained offensively 364 yards to 275, but came up with three turnovers — including Jeremiah Harris’ game-clinching interception in the final two minutes.

ETSU, a member of the Southern Conference, went 3-8 a year ago.