Opposing teams aim to stop the rushing attack by APSU offensive stars Ryan White and Terrence Holt. On Saturday night, Oct. 31, the Jacksonville State Gamecocks did just that in holding the Govs to 106 yards on the ground in the 28-10 loss on Homecoming.
With the loss, APSU falls into a tie with UT-Martin for fifth place with a 3-5 overall record and 2-3 OVC. Jacksonville State improves to 5-3 overall and 3-1 in the conference. But due to the Academic Progress Rate (APR) penalties, Jacksonville State is ineligible for post-season.
“They are going to try to stop the run, and we need to do a better job of getting guys open down field and taking advantage of that,” said APSU head coach Rick Christophel.
Jacksonville State sealed the win when Jake Ryan threw his second interception to A.J. Davis who returned it 55 yards for the three-score lead.
Former Louisiana State quarterback Ryan Perrilloux opened the third quarter using his dual threat by scoring from 15 yards out after he connected with Greg Smith on a 47-yard pass to set up what would be the game winning score.
“I thought we did a good job against him,” Christophel said. “He [Perrilloux] is an NFL quarterback; he can make all the throws and he can run. He is mobile and sees the field really well.”
Overall, Jacksonville State led the game with 398 yards of total offense while the Govs had only 129 yards.
After Jacksonville State jumped out to an early 7-0 lead on a Jamal Young nine-yard run in the first quarter, the offense was no where to be seen on three straight three-and-outs possessions.
The second quarter was a different story. The Govs offense came alive by going on a 13-play drive covering 55 yards capped off by Stephen Stansell’s 32-yard field goal to cut the lead 7-3. The Govs used a personal foul penalty to get the drive started.
On the very next Gamecock possession, the Govs forced a punt, and Rickey Thomas blocked Patrick Tatum’s kick at the JSU 34-yard line, was picked up by Jeremy Ross and took it to the house for a touchdown to give the Govs a 10-7 lead.
The block was Thomas’ sixth career block, but the lead did not last long. On the ensuing kickoff, the Govs were called for a personal foul, allowing JSU to start on at the Govs’s 46. Four plays later, Perrilloux found Calvin Middleton, who trotted 34-yards to push the lead to 14-10, going into the half.
From there the Govs could not score again. The Govs’ Ryan finished 3-of-22, 23 yards and two interceptions. Holt finished with 103 all-purpose yards. He had a 70-yard punt return that would have gone for a score but was called back for defensive holding. White finished with 24 carries and 72 yards.
Defensively, the Govs were led by Daniel Becker’s 11 tackles and two pass break ups. Tremayne Townsend chipped in 10 tackles in the effort. The teams combined with 19 penalties for 201 yards. Eight infractions for 75 yards came from the Govs, and JSU was penalized 11 times for 126 yards.
The game was APSU’s 65th Homecoming contest; the Govs are now 28-36-1 in Homecoming games. This loss snapped a two-game winning streak for the Govs in Homecoming and extends their losing streak to Jacksonville State to three games. The Govs will go on the road Saturday, Nov. 7, to take on Murray State (2-6, 1-4 OVC) with a 1 p.m. kickoff.
Afterwards, the Govs then travel back for the last home game against rival, Tennessee State, Saturday, Nov. 14.
Loading ...