SATURDAY'S SCORES
@#2 Eastern Illinois 52, #22 Jacksonville State 14
UT Martin 16, @Eastern Kentucky 7
Southeast Missouri 36, @Austin Peay 34
@Tennessee State 17, Murray State 10
#2 EASTERN ILLINOIS 52, #22 JACKSONVILLE STATE 14
CHARLESTON, Ill. - Eastern Illinois smashed two school records on Senior Day as they ran over No. 22 Jacksonville State, 52-14, to secure the No. 2 ranked Panthers second straight Ohio Valley Conference Championship and the league’s automatic FCS playoff bid.
EIU improved to 10-1 overall, 7-0 in the OVC. JSU fell to 8-3, 4-3 in the OVC. This marks the fourth time in school history that EIU has won ten games in the regular season. The last time EIU won ten games in a regular season was 1995. EIU also won ten games in 1986 and 1982. EIU will try to win eleven regular season games for the first time in school history next Saturday in the final regular season game at UT Martin.
On day with winds blowing out of the South in the 25-35 mph range, EIU had the wind to their backs in the first quarter and capitalized scoring a school record 35 points in the opening quarter. Shepard Little began what would be a career day for the sophomore by scoring on a 3-yard run at 13:48. EIU gained the ball after recovering a fumble in JSU territory on the third play of the game.
Little pushed the lead to 14-0 at 8:32 with an 18-yard pass reception from Jimmy Garoppolo. He scored again on a 37-yard run at the 5:58 mark of the first quarter to stake EIU to a 21-0 lead.
Little then added a touchdown pass with 3:22 left to play in the quarter hitting Garoppolo on a 10-yard pass. Little became the first OVC player since Murray State’s Casey Brockman in 2011 (Nov. 19 vs. Austin Peay) to run, pass and catch a touchdown in a game. EIU broke the school record with 46 seconds left in the quarter when Jimmy Lera scored on a 57-yard run. The Panthers had called time out twice in the quarter to force JSU to punt into the strong wind.
The 35 points in the quarter breaks the previous EIU mark of 30 set on two different occasions – vs. Kentucky State on Nov. 13, 1982 and vs. Central State on Sept. 26, 1981.
Walter Payton Award candidate Jimmy Garoppolo was an effective 15-of-24 for 169 yards and two touchdowns as he simply had to manage the game. Garoppolo ran for 14 yards and caught the ten yard touchdown pass.
Garoppolo merely needed to manage the game as Little and company rushed for a school record 413 yards. It marked the first time in school history EIU has gained more than 400 yards on the ground. The previous record was 398 yards against Saint Joseph’s (Ind.) on Oct. 27, 1973.
As an individual Little finished with 245 yards on the ground, the fifth best single game rushing total in school history. Lera had 111 yards rushing. Erik Lora and Adam Drake each hauled in five passes. Lora had 93 yards. Drake had 35 yards and a touchdown catch.
JSU scored with 6:35 to go in the second quarter as Anthony Johnson caught a 22-yard pass from Max Shortell. The Gamecocks other score in the game was with 14:03 left to play as DaMarcus James rushed for his 20th touchdown this year from 1-yard out.
EIU’s defense allowed just 253 yards with 98 coming through the air. Jourdan Wickliffe led the Panthers with nine tackles. Senior Alex McNulty had six tackles including 1.5 tackles for loss.
Shortell passed for 98 yards going 8-of-16. Eli Jenkins was 0-of-4 but did rush for a team high 97 yards. Michael Carlisle led JSU’s defense with 11 tackles.
EIU extended two of its long winning streaks as they have now won ten straight at O’Brien Field. The Panthers have also won 11 straight OVC games.
Little now has 1,186 rushing yards this season. Garoppolo has passed for 4,012 yards. EIU is the third school in FCS history to have a player pass for 4,000 yards and a player rush for 1,000 yards in the same season.
UT MARTIN 16, EASTERN KENTUCKY 7
RICHMOND, Ky. - For the first time in school history, the University of Tennessee at Martin football team pulled off a 16-7 victory over Ohio Valley Conference foe Eastern Kentucky at Roy Kidd Stadium. Going into the game the Skyhawks were winless in their previous 11 visits to Eastern Kentucky dating back to 1973.
In addition to the Skyhawks (7-4, 5-2 OVC) first road victory at EKU, eighth-year head coach Jason Simpson secured the team’s second consecutive winning season. Simpson is just the first head coach to secure back-to-back winning seasons since George MacIntyre accomplished the feat in 1976 (8-3) and 1976 (8-3)
Sophomore placekicker Jackson Redditt stole the show for the Skyhawks today, converting on 3-of-4 field goal opportunities, including knocks from 45 and 51 yards. Redditt’s 51-yard field goal ranked as the longest field goal since Nov. 19, 2011 when the Skyhawks visited Eastern Kentucky. His three field goals ranked as the highest single-game performance since Cody Sandlin nailed three attempts in the season opener against Jacksonville State on Sept. 1, 2011.
Junior tailback Abou Toure paced the Skyhawk rushing attack with tallied 215 yards on the ground this afternoon. Toure tallied 111 yards on 17 carries, including a 54-yard carry. Senior DJ McNeil tallied 55 yards on 14 carries, tallying one touchdown.
Sophomore Jarod Neal got the start at quarterback for the Skyhawks, completing 5-of-10 passes for 18 yards. Dylan Favre completed 13-of-15 attempts 138 yards.
Standout senior wide receiver Jeremy Butler tallied yet another 100 yard game, notching 103 yards on nine receptions. Today’s game was Butler’s fifth 100-yard game of the season and eighth of his career.
Defensively, the Skyhawks proved to be too much for the Colonels, holding EKU just 222 yards of total offense and forcing three turnovers. It was senior linebacker Ben Johnson who tallied another terrific game. Johnson tallied 11 total tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss and a 42-yard interception return. Senior Thad Williams tallied seven tackles on the day, as did junior Tony Bell. Bell notched a team high 1.5 tackles for loss, including a 14-yard sack.
Quarterback Kyle Romano led the way for the Colonels. Appearing in relief of starter Jared McClain, Romano completed 8-of-22 passes for 116 yards through the air while rushing for 48 yards on six carries and one touchdown.
With the Colonels opening the game with possession, the Skyhawk defense quickly flexed their muscles. Senior Bobby Ellis got the game’s opening tackle on a sweep across the left side, forcing a fumble. The Skyhawks quickly jumped on the loose ball as Tony Bell recovered the fumble, setting up great field possession for the Skyhawks on the Colonels’ own 25.
Beginning their drive with great field position, the Skyhawks capitalized on the early defensive stand by scoring the game’s first points. After three plays and a penalty, the Skyhawks called on sophomore placekicker Redditt to get the Skyhawks on the board. Redditt would nail the 38-yard attempt, giving the Skyhawks the early 3-0 lead with 13:20 to play in the first quarter.
The Skyhawks would get on the board again just two drives later. Facing third and four, freshman Najee Ray broke a tackle, picking up the conversion on a 27-yard carry across the right side. Ray’s conversion kept the Skyhawks alive as they moved down the field before eventually tacking on another field goal. Redditt set up for a 51-yard field goal, sailing the attempt through the uprights. Redditt’s 51-yard field goal set a career-long.
UT Martin would look to increase their advantage in the second quarter, mainly behind a 54-yard rush by Toure across the right sideline. The Skyhawks would set up at the EKU 25 before attempting a 36-yard field goal. Unlike the previous two, Redditt’s attempt would have no chance as the kick was blocked at the line by the Colonels.
The Skyhawks would begin their next drive with solid field position, starting at the EKU 46. Favre would hit Ray for an 11-yard completion before connecting with Butler for eight yards. Toure would tally consecutive runs of eight and 10 yards, respectively, before McNeil’s number was called. McNeil found a gap in the left side of the line, rumbling for a nine yard touchdown. The touchdown was McNeil’s seventh of the season and 21st of his career, taking sole possession of third place on the UT Martin all-time rushing touchdowns list.
The Colonels waited until the second half before getting going, scoring on their opening drive to slice into the Skyhawk lead. Highlighted in large part by a 42-yard pass connect from Romano to Borders, the Colonels marched down the field. Eastern Kentucky would eventually cap off the successful drive with a one-yard quarterback keeper up the middle. Following the extra point attempt by Andrew Lloyd, the Colonels cut the deficit in half, trailing the Skyhawks 13-7 with 9:20 to play in the third quarter.
UT Martin would tack on some insurance in the fourth quarter, calling on Redditt yet again. With the Skyhawks pinned deep in their own territory, Favre hit Butler for a 36-yard reception as the receiver leaped over the defender to snare the pass. The Skyhawks would continue marching down the field following a completion to Garland for a first down. Redditt’s fourth field goal attempt of the day came from 45-yards. As his attempt sailed through the uprights, the Skyhawks pushed their lead to a two-score margin with 11:19 to play in the game.
On Eastern Kentucky’s ensuing possession, it was Harris who came up with a big interception. With the Colonels advancing down the field, Harris jumped the receivers route for the interception. Harris’s interception was his fourth of the season and third consecutive game with an interception.
Facing the length of the field and just over two minutes to play, the Colonels made their final push towards the endzone. EKU’s hopes for a comeback were quickly forgotten as Johnson picked off Romano, returning the pick for 42 yards. Following a pair of downs courtesy of the victory formation, the Skyhawks earned the 16-7 win, snapping a 40-year, 11-game drought at Kidd Stadium.
SOUTHEAST MISSOURI 36, AUSTIN PEAY 34
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. - Powered by four rushing touchdowns from junior Ron Coleman, the Southeast Missouri football team escaped with a 36-34 victory over Austin Peay Saturday in Clarksville, Tenn.
Coleman wasn't alone, as DeMichael Jackson ran for his third-straight 100-yard rushing performance with a career-high 140 yards.
The seesaw affair started with Austin Peay (0-11, 0-7 OVC) taking the opening kick and using a six-play, 75-yard drive to take the early lead. Rashaa Coleman broke free up the middle to score a 13-yard touchdown.
Answering on their first drive of the game, the Redhawks used 11 plays to travel 44 yards including a 4th and inches conversion to keep the drive alive.
Ron Coleman took the handoff from the 5-yard line and scampered into the end zone. Alex Knight's extra point knotted the game at 7-7.
Following a 31-yard field goal from the foot of Chase Dunlap to give APSU a 10-7 lead, Southeast (3-8, 2-5 OVC) put together a 75-yard drive to take the lead early in the second quarter.
Quarterback Scott Lathrop took the snap on first-and-10 from the Governors 40-yard line. On the read option, Lathrop froze the defense with a fake pitch and turned up field for the 40-yard touchdown. Knight's kick gave Southeast the 14-10 lead.
On the first play of the following Austin Peay drive, Cantrell Andrews intercepted Timar Mitchell and returned it to the APSU 22 yard line. That set up Coleman for his second touchdown of the game as he plunged in from the 1-yard line.
Knight's point after gave Southeast a 21-10 lead, which would hold for the score at intermission.
After holding the Redhawks to a three-and-out on the opening drive of the second half, Austin Peay capped a seven play, 71-yard drive on a Rashaa Coleman touchdown from six yards out.
On the following Southeast possession, the Austin Peay defense held the Redhawks to a 27-yard Ryan McCrum field goal keeping a one-possession game intact.
The Governors marched 68 yards on five plays to knot the game at 24-24 as Rashaa Colmean scored his third touchdown in the game. This time it was a 20-yard run, followed by a Dunlap point after.
Keeping with the back-and-forth affair, Southeast traveled 85 yards on nine plays as Coleman countered with his third rushing touchdown of the game to give the Redhawks the 30-24 lead. Knight's point after attempt failed.
On the ensuing kickoff EnRiques Perry turned his wheels on for APSU, returning the ball for a 99-yard touchdown. Dunlap's point after gave the Governors a 31-30 lead with 14:22 remaining in the game.
With the Governor defense on short rest, Southeast traveled 62 yards setting up Ron Coleman for his fourth touchdown of the game.
Southeast forced a field goal on the next Austin Peay possession to keep the lead intact at 36-34.
After Austin Peay forced a three-and-out for the Redhawks offense, the Governors took over on their own 31-yard line, only needing a field goal to win with 3:23 remaining in the game.
Moving downfield, Austin Peay faced a fourth-and-6 from their own 45. Darryl Clack caught Spivey's pass a few yards short but pulled herculean effort stretching for the first down by inches.
Just three plays later, APSU was in the same situation but only needed five yards and Coleman caught the pass with just enough room for the first down.
As the clock continued to tick away, the Redhawks defense was taking away any deep threats only allowing for short passes up the middle. Unable to stop the clock, Austin Peay ran out of time, sealing the 36-34 Southeast victory.
Coleman's four touchdowns are the first time a Redhawks player has scored three or more touchdowns since Nov. 19, 2011, when Matt Scheible accomplished the feat against Murray State.
Jackson's third-straight 100-yard game was also his fourth in five contests.
Lathrop threw for 79 yards on 6-of-11 passing while surpassing the 1,000-yard mark for the season. He also ran for 88 yards.
D.J. Foster was the main target of Lathrop, catching four passes for 56 yards.
On defense, Eriq Moore totaled 10 tackles with four solo and six assists. Jon Slania had eight tackles with five solo.
TENNESSEE STATE 17, MURRAY STATE 10
NASHVILLE - A 19-yard touchdown by Telvin Hooks with 1:28 remaining proved to be the difference, as Tennessee State defeated Murray State on Senior Day, 17-10, on Saturday.
Hooks finished the game with 129 yards and tied his career high with 25 carries for an average of 5.2 yards.
The TSU defense held the Racers to 25 yards of total offense and -23 on the ground in the second half. Daniel Fitzpatrick anchored the defense with eight stops (seven solo) and one tackle for loss.
The teams traded three-and-outs to begin the game, and TSU picked up its only first down of the first quarter when Ronald Butler hit Wesley Samuels with a 10-yard completion on a third down on its second possession. The gain couldn’t produce any Big Blue points, but punter Leon Holderhead pinned the Racers at their own six-yard line to start their next drive.
The long field did not intimidate Murray State, as the squad marched 94 yards down the field in 11 plays and 3:39 for a touchdown. Racer quarterback Parks Frazier was 10-of-10 on the series for 88 yards including a two-yard touchdown to Pokey Harris at the 7:48 mark to take a, 7-0, lead.
After three more punts, Murray State got the ball back and a 30 yard strike from Frazier to Janwski Davis set up a 24-yard field goal by Murray’s Marc Wynstra to open up the second quarter.
Down by 10 points, TSU received the ball at its own 18-yard line on the ensuing drive. A 15-yard penalty on MSU gave the Big Blue offense better field possession but Butler was 0-for-3 on the drive and TSU had to punt again.
Murray State picked up a pair of first downs after the Tiger kick, but the offense eventually sputtered, giving TSU the ball with under 10 minutes to go before halftime.
Adam Davenport checked in at running back for the Tigers on their next series and the freshman picked up 12 yards on his first two carries. A TSU penalty gave the team a fourth and three even after Davenport’s touches. Head Coach Rod Reed faked the punt and Davenport scampered three yards for a TSU first down. The gamble did not pay off, as TSU punted for the fifth time of the half.
De’Ante Saunders picked off a Frazier pass to give TSU the ball in MSU territory, and the Tigers were finally able to get on the scoreboard. Four Davenport carries for 25 yards set up a 33-yard field goal by Jamin Godfrey to pull TSU within seven with 22 seconds before halftime.
The kick ended a half in which TSU was outgained 246 to 87.
Like the first half, the sides traded punts to open the second. On TSU’s second series, the offense picked up four first downs and 67 yards, the bulk of which came on a 14-yard completion to Joe Bowens. Godfrey came in to attempt a 34-yard field goal, but his attempt was blocked to leave the score 10-3 with 4:20 left in the period.
Neither side scored in the third stanza, but the Tigers finally found the end zone at the 9:49 mark of the fourth. A two-yard touchdown from Butler to Samuels in the back of the end zone off of play-action pass capped off a nine play, 67-yard drive. A 22-yard run by Telvin Hooks got the Tigers within striking distance.
Murray State failed to score on its next two possessions and gave the ball to TSU with 5:36 left in the game. The Tigers kept pounding the ball on the ground with plenty of success. Darion Hall had an 18-yard rush to force the Racers to start worrying about the clock. Four plays later, Hooks found the corner and ran 19 yards for the go-ahead touchdown with 1:28 left.
MSU had one more chance to score, but TSU’s defense held strong. Antonio Harper and Marquaveus Jackson sacked Frazier on fourth down and TSU sent its seniors off with a victory, 17-10.
The Tigers outrushed the Racers 241 to 24 and had the ball for over 17 minutes longer than MSU.
TSU’s victory over Murray State is its first since the 2007 season.