Rodriguez Throws Shade: ‘Some Programs Talk More Than They Train’ Ahead of 2025 Grudge Match
In what’s quickly becoming one of the most anticipated season openers of the 2025 college football calendar, Jacksonville State head coach Rich Rodriguez has ignited the rivalry early with a pointed, thinly-veiled shot at a longtime adversary. Speaking at a preseason media availability on Thursday, Rodriguez didn’t name names—but his message was unmistakably clear.
“Some programs talk more than they train,” Rodriguez said with a wry smile, “and when it’s time to line up, the difference always shows.”
Though Rodriguez never directly mentioned Florida Atlantic—Jacksonville State’s Week 1 opponent—the timing and tone of his remarks left little doubt. The Gamecocks and Owls have exchanged verbal jabs in the past two years, with last season’s game ending in a controversial overtime finish marred by taunting penalties, postgame tension, and heated remarks from both sidelines.
Rodriguez, now entering his third season at the helm in Jacksonville, has never been one to shy away from competitive fire. His tenure has been marked by a gritty, no-nonsense football culture, and Thursday’s remarks continued that trend.
“We don’t have time for flashy press conferences or Instagram countdowns. We’re building toughness. We’re preparing to win,” Rodriguez added. “Football isn’t a fashion show.”
Insiders close to the program noted that Rodriguez’s comments may have been in response to a recent viral clip from FAU’s offseason training camp, where several players—including quarterback Jayden Hale—boasted about “running the conference” and “owning Week 1.” The video, which has been shared widely on social media, was reportedly shown during a team meeting in Jacksonville State’s locker room earlier this week.
Asked directly whether he was referring to FAU, Rodriguez smirked but held his ground: “We’re just focused on us. But if the shoe fits…”
The reaction from FAU’s camp has been predictably swift. Head coach Willie Taggart responded later that afternoon in a brief statement: “We’re not in the business of bulletin board material. We’ll settle it on the field.”
Still, the war of words appears to be just heating up. Local sports media in both Alabama and Florida have seized on the tension, hyping the matchup as a “borderline brawl waiting to erupt.” Tickets for the season opener sold out within 48 hours, and multiple national outlets have confirmed the game will be featured in a prime broadcast slot on Labor Day weekend.
Players from both teams have stayed largely quiet, but a senior Jacksonville State linebacker, speaking anonymously, said the message in the locker room was clear: “Coach doesn’t want us talking. He wants us hitting. And come Week 1, we’ll be ready to hit.”
With tensions simmering, reputations on the line, and Rodriguez fanning the flames with trademark bluntness, the stage is now set. The scoreboard will tell the story—but the psychological battle has already begun.
