By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – Defensive players got the spotlight on Sunday as Tennessee Tech and Jacksonville State combined for five turnovers in their final Ohio Valley Conference matchup from Burgess-Snow Field at JSU Stadium.
The Golden Eagles had five turnovers, the Gamecocks three as both teams were able to convert into 13 points. However, the JSU defense was able to stall the Golden Eagles on the scoreboard as well, taking a 24-10 victory.
Tech falls to 1-1 in the spring OVC schedule and will have an open date next Sunday, scheduled for the OVC Basketball Tournament in Evansville, Ind. JSU (4-1, 1-0 OVC) will make up its postponed game at Tennessee State next Sunday.
Seth Carlisle had two of Tech's takeaways. In the second quarter, Pat Jackson was hit on a rush by Jamaal Thompson and Carlisle came up with the loose ball at the JSU 41. The play led to a seven-play, 41-yard scoring drive, ending as Bailey Fisher scored on a one-yard push into the end zone.
Christian Watson also recovered a Zion Webb fumble at the JSU 15, but the resulting drive ended as Hayden Olsen's 31-yard field goal attempt was blocked by Umstead Sanders.
On the next drive, Carlisle had his second takeaway of the day as he intercepted Webb at the JSU 20 and returned it to the Gamecock 6. Penalties pushed the Golden Eagles back to the JSU 11, then backup quarterback Willie Miller completed a pass to Kurt Taylor, Jr., to the 5 on 3rd and goal. Olsen's field goal try from 22 yards out was good, making it a 17-10 JSU game.
Carlisle ended the game with eight tackles. Thompson led the Golden Eagles with 11 stops, while Jamaal Boyd had nine.
Even spending a large part of the day in short field positions, Tech collected 227 yards of offense – 75 yards on the ground and 152 through the air. The Golden Eagles were flagged 11 times for 85 yards.
Miller ended the game in relief, throwing for 121 yards with three interceptions as he completed 11 of his 20 passes. Fisher was 4-for-6 for 31 yards, while rushing eight times for 13 yards for Tech's lone touchdown. David Gist ended the game with nine carries for 42 yards to lead the team. Justin Oden had four catches for 78 yards and Metrius Fleming had three catches for 45 yards.
JSU ended the day with 399 yards, 274 rushing and 125 passing. Webb ended the game with 125 yards and a touchdown pass to Dave Russell III, who had five catches for 81 yards. Uriah West rushed eight times for 106 yards and a score, while Josh Samuel also had a touchdown rush. Webb also ran for 71 yards on six carries.
Alen Karajic was also 2-for-2 on field goals, completing kicks from 34 and 23 yards. He was 3-for-3 on PATs.
Nicario Harper led the Gamecocks in tackles with 13, while also intercepting a pass. Jeremiah Harris and Marshall Clark also picked off passes, while Kolbi Fuqua and Sevonte Tullis recovered fumbles.
Photo | Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
