#2 Jacksonville State Defeats EIU

Jacksonville State had two sacks on the first Eastern Illinois possession forcing a fumble at the 7-yard line that the Gamecocks quickly converted into a touchdown as they built an early 21-0 first quarter lead during a 47-14 win on Saturday afternoon.

The second ranked Gamecocks improved to 7-1 overall, 4-0 in the OVC.  The Panthers, ranked 22d this week, suffered their second straight loss falling to 5-4 overall, 3-3 in the OVC.

Josh Clemons rushed in from one-yard out following the EIU fumble on the opening drive.  After a second 3-and-out by the EIU offense, Eli Jenkins rushed in from 11 yards out for one score and connected with Josh Barge on a 13-yard touchdown pass for another to put JSU up 21-0 with 5:54 to play in the first quarter.

EIU got on the board to open the second quarter as Korliss Marshall rushed in from 4-yards out to make it 21-7 with 14:54 to play in the second quarter.  The touchdown was set up by a Devin Church 39-yard reception that put the ball inside the ten yard line.  Church finished the day with four receptions for 86 yards. He was bottled up rushing finishing with 19 yards on the ground.  As a team EIU rushed for 56 yards after gaining just 11 yards in the first half.

JSU added a 27-yard touchdown reception by Jamari Hester and Cade Stinnett 32-yard field goal in the second quarter to lead 31-7 at the half. 

Eli Jenkins was 10-of-22 with 157 yards passing and two touchdowns.  He added 85 yards on the ground.

The Panthers had a long punt return for touchdown by Aaron Gooch called back in the second quarter.

Clemons scored his second touchdown of the game with a short run to cap the Gamecocks opening drive of the second half that put JSU up 37-7.  Clemons rushed for 50 yards.  Roc Thomas had 115 yards for JSU as the Gamecocks rushed for 312 yards in the game.

Cade Stinnett knocked home a 48-yard field goal to give JSU additional points off of turnovers as EIU had a drive end with a fumble just outside the red zone in the middle of the third quarter.   Bryant Horn added the final JSU touchdown with 7:05 left in the game on a 14-yard run.

EIU opened the fourth quarter with a Jared Pilson 30-yard touchdown pass to Church.  Pilson played several sets in the wildcat formation throughout the game rushing for 13 yards. 

Seth McDonald and Nick Horne both had ten tackles to lead EIU.  Marlon Bridges had nine tackles for JSU.