JACKSONVILLE – Jackson-ville State maintained its Top 25 ranking in The Sports Network/CSTV (TSN) Division I-AA football poll after climbing two spots to No. 17 when the rankings were released Monday afternoon.

The No. 17 ranking is the highest ever for a Jax State team since jumping to the I-AA level in 1993 and marks the third consecutive week the Gamecocks have been ranked.

JSU entered the poll for the first time during the 2003 season at No. 20 on November 10, following a 49-32 win over Ohio Valley Conference rival Samford. The 20th spot matched the team's highest ranking at the I-AA level.

The Gamecocks have climbed in the poll for two consecutive weeks following its debut ranking. A 36-24 home victory over Eastern Illinois resulted in a 7-3 record and a No. 19 ranking on November 17.

Last week, JSU knocked off Southeast Missouri State to claim the OVC championship outright and earn the school's first-ever berth in the I-AA playoffs. The win upped the Gamecocks record to 8-3 and the team jumped two spots to No. 17 in the latest TSN poll.

Jax State will face a fellow ranked team in the first round of the playoffs. The Gamecocks will travel to Bowling Green, Ky., for a first-round matchup with ninth-ranked Western Kentucky.

The Hilltoppers are the defending I-AA national champions and have been ranked in the Top 25 throughout the 2003 season.

Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. at L.T. Smith Stadium. JSU tickets for the game will go on sale in the athletic ticket office Tuesday, November 25th, from noon to 6 p.m.

The ticket office will also be open from 7 a.m. until 1 p.m. Wednesday. Reserved seats are $13 while upper deck general admission seats are $9. JSU students with an I.D. can buy tickets for $5.