Gulf Coast Media has already recently praised Jacksonville State quarterback Caden Creel for his spur-of-the-moment production earlier in the college football season, but it's time to revisit what the Baldwin County native has been doing in his undefeated run.

Head coach Charles Kelly didn't turn to Creel until midseason, but the former Fairhope Pirates standout has spent the past month and a half rewriting the program's record book — and pushing the Gamecocks to the top of Conference USA.

Creel, now a sophomore, has rushed for 730 yards this year, with more than 600 of those coming in the six games since he took over the reins behind center. He's averaging 121 yards per game in that stretch, putting him on pace to become just the third quarterback in school history to eclipse 1,000 rushing yards in a season.

If he maintains his current production through the final two regular-season games — plus a bowl appearance and a potential C-USA championship game — Creel is lined up to finish as the second-leading single-season rusher by a quarterback in program history. He's even within striking distance of the record: Tyler Huff's 1,344-yard campaign in 2024.

That raises the obvious question around Jacksonville: How many yards might Creel already have if he had been the Day 1 starter?

Since taking over, Creel has powered a Jacksonville State offense that now ranks No. 5 nationally in rushing at 260 yards per game (which would be the third-most per-game total in program history). His emergence has complemented running back Cam Cook, who is second in the nation with 1,313 yards and gives the Gamecocks one of the most productive backfield duos in college football. With a little more than 400 more yards — which they are sure to get in three to four games — this backfield would be in the program record books within the top 10 in single-season yards.

The results have also shown in the standings. Jacksonville State is 5-0 with Creel as the starter after last week's win over Kennesaw State pushed the Gamecocks into sole possession of first place in the conference race.

Jax State travels to FIU on Nov. 22 before closing the regular season at home against Western Kentucky — a matchup that could decide a berth in the Conference USA title game.