WATCH: Jacksonville State Kicker Slips on Game Winner, Still Makes It

The Gamecocks took down Western Kentucky at home on Tuesday night

© Dave Hyatt / USA TODAY NETWORK

Some may not have expected the Jacksonville State Gamecocks to be one of the top teams in CUSA this season. They continued their strong start to the season on Tuesday night, winning a 20-17 game against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers that came down to the final play. 

Tied at 17-apiece with four seconds remaining, the Gamecocks trotted out Junior Alen Karajic for a 41-yard field goal attempt. Hitting just 58.3% of his field goals for the season, it really could have gone either way. However, fate was on the side of Jacksonville State. 

.@AlenKarajic WINS IT WITH A 41-YD FIELD GOAL AS TIME EXPIRES!@JaxStateFB | #NoLimitsOnUs pic.twitter.com/PCFVBLR2Tz

— Conference USA (@ConferenceUSA) October 18, 2023

Even with Karajic's slip, he was able to push it just inside the left upright. 

Can't give him many style points, but the Chattanooga product came through in a critical moment for his team. 

This was a game-winning field goal. pic.twitter.com/DTSc6mzJYJ

— Bryan Fischer (@BryanDFischer) October 18, 2023

Karajic also hit a 23-yard field goal earlier in the game. He has now hit seven of 12 field goal attempts this season.

Jacksonville State improve to 6-2 on the year, with the win. Due to FCS-to-FBS transition rules, the Gamecocks are ineligible for the postseason and for the CUSA title. 

The Gamecocks will go for their seventh win at FIU on October 26.