• ESPN3 Information and FAQ | Direct Link to Jacksonville State/Tennessee State Stream
This week the OVC Football "Game of the Week" series on ESPN3 features a pair of nationally-ranked teams as No. 8 Jacksonville State travels to No. 25 Tennessee State. The game is slated to kick-off at 2:00 p.m. CT on Saturday.
This contest is the third of an exclusive eight-game package that will air on ESPN3 this season.
The games are being produced by WebStream Sports, an Indianapolis-based company which is a proven leader in video production, streaming video and content creation. The company, founded in 2006, produces more than 1,000 events annually and has also served as a web streaming consultant for the OVC for the past two years.
Kevin Ingram, host of "The Wake Up Zone" on 104.5 The Zone in Nashville, will handle play-by-play duties while Bob Belvin, on-air talent and contributor at 100.7 FM/AM 540 (ESPN Clarksville), will provide analysis. The duo has worked together each of the past two years in the league's TV package.
ESPN3 is ESPN's live multi-screen sports network, a destination that delivers thousands of global sports events annually and accessible online via WatchESPN.com, on smart phones and tablets via the WatchESPN app, through ESPN on Xbox LIVE to Gold members and on Apple TV and Roku. It is currently available in more than 85 million homes at no additional cost to fans who receive their high-speed Internet connection or video subscription from an affiliated service provider. It is also available at no cost to approximately 21 million U.S. college students and U.S.-based military personnel via computers connected to on-campus educational networks and on-base military networks.
GAME PREVIEW
#8 Jacksonville State Gamecocks (4-1, 2-0 OVC)
at #25 Tennessee State Tigers (4-2, 1-1 OVC)
Saturday, Oct. 11 • 2:00 p.m. CT
Hale Stadium (15,000) • Nashville, Tenn.
TV:...................................................................... ESPN3
Live Stats:.......................................
http://bit.ly/1ww9gxN
Series Record:....................... Jacksonville State leads 7-2
Last Meeting:.......... Tennessee State won 31-15 (10/12/13)
John Grass at Jacksonville State:...................... 4-1 (1 yr.)
John Grass Overall:................................................. same
Rod Reed at Tennessee State:...................... 30-23 (5 yrs.)
Rod Reed Overall:................................................... same
Jacksonville State Last Week:........ W, 38-14 vs. UT Martin
Tennessee State Last Week: L, 28-21 at Southeast Missouri
GAME NOTES: A pivotal game in the OVC race will take place on Saturday on the campus of Tennessee State where the nationally-ranked Tigers will host nationally-ranked Jacksonville State (the second-straight year both teams are ranked when they meet). It marks the first two times the teams have played at Hale Stadium; the three previous meetings in Nashville have all been played at LP Field (and won by Jax State). In four of the last five (and six of the last eight) meetings between the teams at least one of the squads was nationally ranked; a season ago both teams were in the Top 25 as No. 23 TSU won 31-15 at No. 24 Jacksonville State. In that game TSU overcame an injury to starting quarterback Michael German by scoring the final 10 points of the game and pull off the win and run its winning streak to six games. Tim Broughton rushed for 190 yards for TSU while the Tigers defense held the Gamecocks to just 21 net yards on the ground. When the teams played in 2012, it was a Griffin Thomas field goal in overtime that proved to be the game-winner. The game features two head coaches who are coaching at their alma maters.
SCOUTING JACKSONVILLE STATE: Jacksonville State won its fourth-straight game on Saturday, topping UT Martin 38-14. The team’s offense put up 497 yards of offense and has been on a roll since a tough outing against FBS power Michigan State (who ranks 11th in the FBS in total defense) to start the season. Taking out that loss JSU is averaging 540.8 yards of total offense/game (would be third nationally), 322.0 rushing yard/game (would also rank third) and 40.2 points/game (which would rank 11th nationally). The team has also been scoring quickly, netting 13 scoring drives of less than two minutes so far this season. Playing in place of All-American running back DaMarcus James, Miles Jones stepped into the lineup and earned OVC Co-Offensive Player of the Week honors after running for 150 yards and a touchdown. Overall the Gamecocks have had four different players rush for 100 or more yards in a game this season. Quarterback Eli Jenkins was efficient again, passing for 114 yards and two touchdowns and rushing for 17 yards. Overall nine different players have scored a touchdown this season. The team has also stepped up its play on third down and now ranks second nationally in third down conversion defense (22.4%). The team has allowed only two rushes of 20 yards or longer this season (in 177 total attempts).
SCOUTING TENNESSEE STATE: Despite the return of quarterback Michael German to the lineup, Tennessee State was unable to win at Southeast Missouri on Saturday, falling 28-21. The TSU offense had struggled in recent weeks but exploded for 505 yards of total offense (its second-highest output of the season) against the Redhawks. The team, however, missed three field goals (the first time that had happened in a game since 2008) and saw the game end when German was picked off at the SEMO 11-yard line with 46 seconds to play. TSU kickers are now just 4-of-12 on field goal attempts this season. German finished the game 34-of-59 for 362 yards and two touchdowns; his touchdown to Chris Sanders-McCollum in the third quarter snapped a streak of 12 quarters without a touchdown pass for the Tigers. Sanders-McCollum established new career-highs in receptions (9) and receiving yards (104). The TSU defense did not force a turnover in the game, snapping a streak of nine-straight games with at least one turnover dating back to last season. Nick Thrasher did have 16 tackles to lead the Tiger attack. Despite the rough outing TSU remains ranked first nationally in passing defense (130.2 yards/game), pass efficiency defense (73.88), sacks (4.17/game) and fourth down conversion defense (0.0%), is second in total defense (232.8 yards/game) and fourth in turnovers gained (15). Despite its loss, Tennessee State is still ranked 25th in both major FCS polls; the team has been ranked for 10-straight weeks dating back to last season.