DeBarriaus Miller ready for FCS championship shot

DeBarriaus Miller has had two strong seasons with the Jacksonville State football program, and he can't think of a better way to wrap up his career than with a win Saturday.

If the Gamecocks can pull off that win over North Dakota State, they will earn the program's first FCS national title (they won the Division II title in 1992).

"Every year, you hope to get to the national championship game; that's definitely one of our main goals," said Miller, a former Peach County standout. "The first goal is winning the conference, and then the next step is to get the national championship, and we have that chance."

Miller started his college career at Southern Miss and stayed with the Eagles for two years before transferring to Jacksonville State. He started all 12 games last year and finished with 55 tackles and tied for the team lead with four interceptions, playing mostly at safety but also seeing time at cornerback because of injuries.

This season, Miller has 58 tackles, including three for loss, and two interceptions.

"It's about making more plays than the other team and playing team ball, that's been a key to our success," Miller said.

And there has been plenty of success. The Gamecocks are 13-1 and have won 12 straight games with their only loss coming at Auburn in a 27-20 decision in September.

North Dakota State enters the championship game with a 12-2 record.

"We have a lot of confidence," Miller said, "and we're looking forward to winning a championship for Jacksonville State."

This story was originally published January 8, 2016 at 1:15 PM with the headline "DeBarriaus Miller ready for FCS championship shot ."