Watch: Jacksonville State's incredible season continues with walk-off field goal vs. Western Kentucky

Kicker Alen Karajic fell on the turf while attempting the kick, but it still managed to clear the crossbar, helping Jacksonville State to 6-2 on the season.

That's impressive for a team in its first season at the FBS level. After years spent in FCS, Jacksonville State joined Conference USA before the start of the 2023 season.

In July, Conference USA media members predicted Jacksonville State to finish seventh in the conference, while Western Kentucky was picked to finish first. The Hilltoppers were a 7.5-point favorite entering Tuesday's game.

Despite the great story emerging at Jacksonville State, the Gamecocks are ineligible for a bowl game due to an absurd NCAA rule that also prevents James Madison (6-0, 3-0 in Sun Belt) from appearing in the postseason unless not enough teams are bowl-eligible by the end of the regular season.

Teams moving from FCS to FBS are ineligible for postseason games during their first two seasons of the transition. That makes the job head coach Rich Rodriguez is doing even more remarkable.

It's a testament to his coaching that he's been able to keep his team engaged during a season it won't reap the rewards of its success.