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Jacksonville State (4-1, 1-0 Ohio Valley Conference)at Tennessee State (0-1, 0-1 Ohio Valley Conference)#102020 FOOTBALLGame 6 March 7, 2021 2 p.m. CT ESPN Hale Stadium (10,000) Nashville, ecocksON THE AIRQUICK HITS The Gamecocks and Tigers meet for the 15th time on the gridiron, with JSU holding a 12-2 advantage in theJSU Radio Networkall-time series. JSU has won nine of the last 10 in the series, including a 31-23 win in Jacksonville in 2019.Mike Parris, play-by-play JSU is 5-0 against the Tigers in Nashville.Eric Mims, analyst Jacksonville State is one of 17 FCS programs that opted to play nonconference games in the fall and has afull schedule of 11 games between four fall games and seven spring games. That is the second-most among allESPN FCS programs behind The Citadel's 12 (four in the fall and eight in the spring).Alex Gould, play-by-play Jacksonville State is coming off a convincing 27-10 win over No. 23 Tennessee Tech in its spring opener onDerek Fleming, analystFeb. 28, the Gamecocks' 17th win in their last 25 games against ranked FCS opponents. In JSU's last game, running back Uriah West notched his second-straight 100-yard rushing game for JSU,JSU SPORTS INFORMATIONrolling up 106 yards and a score on just eight carries. West has run for 100 yards in back-to-back games.Associate AD/Football SID . . . Josh Underwood Sophomore safety Nicario Harper was named the Ohio Valley Conference's Defensive Player of the Week after . . . . . . . underwood@jsu.edu; 256-782-5915; cell-256-453-0545Assistant SID/Football SID . . . . . . . . Tyler Brownhis game vs. Tennessee Tech, when he recorded 13 tackles and an interception for JSU. This will be JSU's final season in the OVC, with the Gamecocks joining the ASUN Conference on July 1, 2021. . . . . . . . . . . tabrown@jsu.edu; 256-782-5977; cell-423-619-0557JSUGamecockSports.comTHE GAMECOCKS BY THE NUMBERS.765 - John Grass' careerwinning percentage as a headcoach, 12th-highest among allactive Div. I coaches and fourthamong active FCS coaches(minimum 30 games).11 - Games that JSU is scheduledto play this season, combiningthe four in the fall and seven thisspring. That is second among allFCS teams behind The Citadel's 12(4 in fall/8 in spring).2 - Consecutive 100-yard rushinggames for Uriah West after notreaching the milestone in the first21 games of his career.17 - Consecutive seasons at .500or better by the Gamecocks headinginto 2020, the longest active streakin the FCS.2.0 - Field goals per game so farthis season by Alan Karajic, secondmost among all FCS players.62 - Wins by John Grass at JSU,the fastest to reach the mark by anyhead coach in school history. He,Donn Salls (95), Jack Crowe (87)and Bill Burgess (84) have won 60games at JSU.4 - Consecutive wins forJacksonville State, tied withCharleston Southern for the longestactive winning streak in the FCS.10 - Where JSU is ranked in thelatest STATS Perform FCS Top 25, theGamecocks' first appearance in theTop 10 since 2018.82 - Games coached at JSU byhead coach John Grass, fourth onJSU's list of career games coachedbehind Don Salls (163), Bill Burgess(137) and Jack Crowe (144).MEET THE TEAMS96 - Consecutive games in which 2020/21 SCHEDULESthe Gamecocks have scored, withJSU's last shutout coming in the(4-1, 1-0 OVC)final game of 2012 at No. 7 Florida. DATE OPPONENTTIME (CT)236.6 - Yards per game against OCTOBER (3-1)3at Florida State (ACC RSN)L, 41-24JSU's defense in its current four10MERCER(ESPN3)W,34-28game winning streak.17 at North Alabama (ESPN3)W, 24-17399 - Total games played in the 23 at Florida International (ESPN3) W, 19-10history of Burgess-Snow Field. JSU FEBRUARY (1-0)is 288-103-8 in its home stadium28 *TENNESSEE TECH (ESPN )W, 27-10since it opened in 1946.MARCH (0-0)2 p.m.1,341 - Career receiving yards 7 *at Tennessee State (ESPN )14 *at UT Martin (ESPN )1 p.m.by senior Trae Barry, second-most21 *SOUTHEAST MISSOURI (ESPN ) 2 p.m.in school history by a tight end and28 *AUSTIN PEAY (ESPN )2 p.m.just 159 away from Rusty FullerAPRIL(0-0)(1,500) in first.3*at Eastern Illinois (ESPN )1 p.m.2 p.m.7,612 - Average attendance for 11 *at Murray State (ESPN )JSU's first two home games of the *- Ohio Valley Conference Game2020-21 season, most in the FCSand 2,123 more than Missouri Statein second place with 5,489.(0-1, 0-1 OVC)DATE OPPONENTTIME (CT)FEBRUARY (0-1)28 *at Austin PeayL, 27-20MARCH (0-0)7*JACKSONVILLE STATE2 p.m.14 *EASTERN ILLINOIS1 p.m.0-1, 0-1 Ohio Valley Conference21 *at Murray State2 p.m.NR in Media Poll28 *UT MARTIN2 p.m.NR in Coaches PollAPRIL (0-0)Feb. 28 at Austin Peay3*at Tennessee Tech1 p.m.L, 27-2011 *SOUTHEAST MISSOURI2:30 p.m.Rod Reed (Tennessee State, ‘88)* - Ohio Valley Conference Game56-57/11th year56-57/11th year1-80-5Jacksonville StateTennessee StateLast GameLast GameRecordRankingHead CoachCareer RecordJSU RecordGrass vs. TSUvs. ReedJSU vs. TSU4-1, 1-0 Ohio Valley Conference10th in STATS Top 25Coaches Poll Starting Later in SpringFeb. 28 vs. Tennessee TechWon, 27-20John Grass (Jacksonville State, ‘90)62-19/7th year62-19/7th year5-05-012-2RecordRankingHead CoachCareer RecordTSU Recordvs. JSUvs. GrassJacksonville StateGamecocksTennessee StateTigersCHAMPIONS 2003 2004 2011 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
2020 Jacksonville State FOOTBALL GAME NOTESTennessee State Week Schedule(Schedule subject to change)2345678Grass Weekly Presser11 a.m. - ZoomPlease contact JoshUnderwood(underwood@jsu.edu)for access.Practice4 p.m.Practice4 p.m.Practice4 p.m.Practice4 p.m.Walk ThroughTBATravel to NashvilleNo Player AvailabilityGame DayJSU at TSUHale Stadium2 p.m. CTPost GameCoach Grass and Playerswill be available viaZoomOff DayNo Player SundayMondayJACKSONVILLE STATE SPORTS INFORMATIONMEDIA POLICIESPRESS CONFERENCEJohn Grass’ weekly press availability will be done virtually viaZoom for the 2020 season. He will be available on Tuesday at 11a.m. Any media wishing to access Coach Grass’ press conferenceshould contact Associate AD for Media Relations Josh Underwood(underwood@jsu.edu) for the link to join. Select players will also beon hand during the press conference. If a specific player is needed,contact Josh Underwood by Sunday to make arrangements for theinterview.OVC TELECONFERENCEThe Ohio Valley Conference postponed its conferenceschedule to the Spring and will not have a weeklyteleconference during the fall season.JOHN GRASS ON THE WEBMedia members can watch John Grass’ full press conferenceeach week. The video will be uploaded by 4 p.m. CT on Tuesday atJSUGamecockSports.com.PRESS CONFERENCE TRANSCRIPTIONSTranscriptions of John Grass’ weekly press conferences are availableby 4 p.m. each Tuesday on the athletic web site atJSUGamecockSports.com.JSU SPORTS INFORMATION STAFFThe Jacksonville State Sports Information offices are locatedon the third floor of Pete Mathews Coliseum.COACHES INTERVIEWSOutside his regular Tuesday press conference, the best time forCoach Grass interviews is between 10-11 a.m. until Wednesday.Please contact the JSU SID office to make specific arrangements.PLAYER INTERVIEWSIf at all possible, player interviews need to be conducted duringMonday’s weekly press conference.@JSUGamecocksFB@Coach Grass#JSUGamecocksJOSH UNDERWOODAssociate ADFB Contactunderwood@jsu.eduOffice: 256-782-5915Cell: 256-453-0545@josh underwood1TYLER BROWNAssistant SIDFB Contacttabrown@jsu.eduOffice: 256-782-5977Cell: 423-619-0557@tylerbrown 91TONY SCHMIDTAssistant ram/JSUGamecocksSnapchat/JSUGamecocksDaniel PorterAssistant SIDdporter2@jsu.edu2CHAMPIONS 2003 2004 2011 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
2020 Jacksonville State FOOTBALL GAME NOTESTHE COACHESJacksonville State Head Coach John GrassJohn Grass has a 62-19 record in his seventh season as JSU's headcoach, the best 80-game start in JSU history. He is 41-6 in OVC play.Grass’ unprecedented start to his collegiate head coaching careerhas seen the 1990 JSU graduate win five-straight OVC titles, while alsobecoming the first person to claim the Roy Kidd OVC Coach of the YearAward outright in three-straight seasons. He is also the first FCS coach to benamed the AFCA’s Region Coach of the Year in five-straight seasons and wasthe first Gamecock in Division I to be voted the AFCA’s National Coach of theYear in 2015.He served as JSU’s offensive coordinator on Bill Clark’s staff in 2013before being promoted to the head coach after one season.Prior to coming to JSU in 2013, Grass was head coach at Oxford (Ala.)High School from 2008-2012, where he posted five straight winning seasons and a 41-16 record. He also served as head coach at Spain Park from2006-07, where he was named the 2007 AHSAA Class 6A Coach of the Year.He also was the head coach at Moody High School (2003-05), AlbertvilleHigh School (2002-03) and Ashville High School (1995-99)Tennessee State Head Coach Rod ReedRod Reed has a 56-57 record in his 11th season leading TennesseeState. He led the Tigers to the second round of the FCS playoffs in 2013.Reed was the associate head coach and defensive coordinator duringthe 2009 season and was named the head coach on December 18, 2009.He began coaching at TSU in 2003 and served as the defensivecoordinator for five years and two years as linebackers coach. He alsohas coached at Prairie View, Bethune-Cookman, East Texas Baptist andSeabreeze High School in Daytona Beach, Fla.Reed was a four-year letter winner at Tennessee State from 1984-88,earning Sheridan All-America honors his senior year. He set the Tiger recordfor career tackles from his linebacker position in 1987 and also set thesingle season record with 197. He helped the Tigers to the second roundof the 1986 Division I-AA playoffs and was selected as the team’s DefensiveMVP in 1987 and 1988.SERIES HISTORYJACKSONVILLE STATE-TENNESSEE STATE SERIES RESULTSJSU leads, 12-27-2 in Jacksonville5-0 in NashvilleJSU vs. TSU GAME-BY-GAME STATISTICSJSU RushingDateSiteResultFD No Yds TD10/5/19JacksonvilleW, 31-2325 37 162 111/10/18NashvilleW, 41-1424 39 148 111/16/17JacksonvilleW, 36-619 47 368 39/19/15JacksonvilleW, 48-1332 52 349 410/11/14NashvilleW,27-2027 49 236 310/12/13JacksonvilleL,31-2519 34 21110/20/12JacksonvilleW,31-28ot16 48 159 311/19/11NashvilleW,38-1619 42 190 210/16/10JacksonvilleW,24-014 38 174 111/15/08JacksonvilleW,26-2116 36 174 210/21/06JacksonvilleL,31-3817 39 132 210/22/05NashvilleW,33-321 45 190 010/16/04JacksonvilleW,49-3528 50 358 610/21/03NashvilleW,34-720 49 278 3Passing Total Off.C-A-IYds TD No Yds25-40-0 305 377 46720-30-0 272 369 42012-20-1 125 167 49319-32-1 227 284 57615-24-2 190 173 40322-41-2 271 075 29212-21-1 194 169 35314-18-0 204 260 39412-22-2 99 260 27313-22-1 119 058 29315-29-3 261 268 39315-24-0 181 169 37611-17-0 227 167 58512-27-1 132 166 410TSUFD21197923242619132016162813RushingNo Yds TD40 230 223 178 228 15 031 24 033 74 150 215 042 184 125 87 140 154 050 177 133 163 337 157 433 106 132 47 0Passing Total Off.C-A-IYds TD No Yds14-24-0 240 0 64 24015-29-3 164 0 52 3428-22-282 1 50 979-17-2184 2 48 20832-50-4 364 1 83 40715-25-0 133 4 75 34821-37-2 311 3 79 49526-43-3 262 1 68 3497-17-265 0 57 21911-23-0 170 1 73 34713-23-1 260 2 56 36318-37-0 185 0 74 34227-45-0 381 4 78 48711-28-1 175 1 60 222CHAMPIONS 2003 2004 2011 2014 2015 2016 2017 20183
2020 Jacksonville State FOOTBALL GAME NOTESTale of the Tape: Here is a statistical comparison of both JSU and Tennessee State:Jax StateTSURushing Offense185.098.0Passing Offense182.2234.0TOTAL OFFENSE367.2332.0Rushing Defense125.2250.0Passing Defense170.2118.0TOTAL DEFENSE295.4368.0Scoring Offense25.620.0Scoring Defense21.227.0Grass In Uncharted FieldsJSU head coach John Grass has found himself in a territory not many coaches have ever gone. His 62-19record is the best start in JSU history by a head coach and one of the best starts to an FCS career by any coach.Grass became the first coach in FCS history to go 16-0 in his first two years of conference play to start hiscoaching career and has improved that start to 42-6 in league play.Grass: One Of Top Winning Percentages Among Active Division I Coaches (Minimum 30 games)Coach, Current SchoolSeasons RecordPct.Lincoln Riley, Oklahoma4th45-8.849Drew Cronic, Mercer5th48-10.828Dabo Swinney, Clemson13th140-33.809Nick Saban, Alabama25th256-65-1 .797Lance Leipold, Buffalo14th146-39.789Kirby Smart, Georgia5th52-14.788Chris Klieman, Kansas State8th84-24.778Josh Heupel, Tennessee3rd28-8.778Dale Lindsey, San Diego6th64-19.771Jimbo Fisher, Texas A&M11th109-33.768Brian Bohannon, Kennesaw State6th49-15.766John Grass, Jacksonville State7th62-19.765Gamecocks Getting OffensiveJacksonville State finished 2015 ranked fourth nationally in total offense after being ranked fourth in 2014.The Gamecocks put together another top-20 season in 2016 at 20th. JSU has had 600 yards of total offensenine times since John Grass took over as head coach, twice as many as it had in school history before the 2014season. Here’s a list of the Gamecocks 600-plus yards of total offense games in the school’s Division I history:YardsOpponentDateRush Yds/Pass Yds1. 655vs Austin PeayNov. 1, 2014416 rush/239 pass2. 654vs. Mississippi Valley StateSept. 8, 2018366 rush/288 pass3. 652vs Murray StateSept. 28, 2013318 rush/334 pass4. 646vs SamfordNov. 6, 2004453 rush/193 pass5. 640vs ChattanoogaDec. 5, 2015432 rush/208 pass6. 639vs Sam Houston StateDec. 19, 2015360 rush/279 pass7. 637at Eastern KentuckyOct. 6, 2018353 rush/284 pass8. 630vs West AlabamaSept. 20, 2014336 rush/294 pass9. 628at Murray StateSept. 28, 2014382 rush/246 pass10. 619at Tennessee TechOct. 17, 2015341 rush/278 pass11. 617vs Southeast MissouriNov. 14, 2015399 rush/218 pass12. 612at Southeast MissouriNov. 22, 2014372 rush/245 pass13. 609vs Eastern KentuckyNov. 5, 2011309 rush/300 pass14. 606vs Nicholls StateSept. 25, 1999150 rush/456 pass4JSU vs. the OVCBefore joining the OVC prior to the 2003season, Jacksonville State had faced onlyfour teams from the Ohio Valley Conference. Jax State is 136-45-8 all-time versusteams from the Ohio Valley Conference.Since joining the OVC, the Gamecocks are106-30 against the league. Below is aseries breakdown against the OVC.TeamAustin PeayEastern IllinoisEastern KentuckyMurray StateSE Missouri StateTennessee-MartinTennessee StateTennessee 36-45-8Longest Plays Since Joining theOhio Valley Conference in 2003Rush: 87, Justice Owensat Liberty (9/24/16)Rush TD: 87, Justice Owensat Liberty (9/24/16)Pass: 88, Eli Jenkins to Markis Merrillvs West Alabama (9/20/14)Pass TD: 88, Eli Jenkins to Markis Merrillvs West Alabama (9/20/14)Punt Return: 88, Maurice Dupreeat Murray State (9/29/07)Kick Return: 99, Gabriel Chambersat Kentucky (10/22/11);Maurice Dupreevs Southeast Missouri (10/4/08)Int. Return: 98, Pierre Warrenat Tennessee State (11/19/11)Fumble Return: 75, Pierre Warrenvs Chattanooga (9/8/12)Blocked FG Ret: 72, Andrew Ridgewayvs Tenn State (11/15/08)Punt: 86, Hamish MacInnesat Tennessee Tech (10/26/13)Field Goal: 52, Steven Leevs Murray State (10/4/03)CHAMPIONS 2003 2004 2011 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
2020 Jacksonville State FOOTBALL GAME NOTESJSU vs. RANKED FCS FOESSince joining Division I in 1995, JSU is34-44 vs. ranked FCS foes and 15-7 underJohn ntResult#4 Troy StateL, 35-7#9 SF AustinL, 42-10#4 Troy StateL, 31-21#7 at SW Mo. St.L, 34-9at #2 Troy StateL, 49-0#11 McNeese St.L, 27-6at #13 SF AustinL, 41-15#15 Nicholls StateL,16-14#24 SW MissouriL,47-42at #1 McNeese St.L,30-14#3 Ga. SouthernL,51-32#9 NW StateL,53-36#14 Troy StateL, 31-7#3 Ga. SouthernL,51-14at #22 SF AustinL,33-16at #6 Troy StateL,35-16at #22 McNeeseL,28-0#10 NW StateW,28-24#3 Troy StateL, 28-0at #23 SF AustinL, 44-37#21 SW TexasW, 38-17at #15 NW StateL, 42-17at #18 Sam HoustonL, 55-30#11 McNeese StateL, 31-21#2 McNeese StateL, 28-22#3 Northwestern StateW, 19-10#4 Georgia SouthernL, 41-3at #8 Western KentuckyL, 45-7at #2 FurmanL, 49-7#2 FurmanL, 37-35#22 Eastern IllinoisL, 10-6at #5 FurmanL, 17-13at #17 Eastern IllinoisL, 28-24#25 Eastern IllinoisL, 36-23at #16 Eastern IllinoisW, 23-10#15 Tennessee StateW, 26-21#24 Eastern IllinoisL, 28-20#7 Southeast MissouriW, 29-27#6 WoffordL, 17-14at #23 ChattanoogaL, 38-17#19 Tennessee TechL, 22-14at #21 Eastern KyL, 51-21#17 Tennessee StateW, 31-28at #22 UT MartinW, 41-27#23 Tennessee StateL,31-15at #2 Eastern IllinoisL, 52-14#16 SamfordW, 55-14at #6 McNeese StateW, 31-10at #2 Eastern WashingtonL, 37-24at #13 Chattanoogaot-W,26-23at #25 Tennessee StateW,27-20at #15 Eastern KentuckyW,20-6#19 Sam Houston StateL, 37-26at #8 ChattanoogaW, 23-20#13 Eastern KentuckyW, 34-0#7 ChattanoogaW, 41-35-OT#7 Charleston SouthernW, 58-38#6 Sam Houston StateW, 62-10vs #2 North Dakota State (Frisco) L, 37-10#17 Coastal CarolinaW, 27-26#22 Eastern IllinoisW, 47-14#12 Youngstown StateL, 40-24#12 ChattanoogaW, 27-13#16 LibertyW, 31-10#16 Kennesaw StateL, 17-7#14 North Carolina A&TL, 20-17at #2 Kennesaw StateL, 60-52 - 5OT#21 East Tennessee StateW, 34-27#12 MaineL, 55-27#4 Eastern WashingtonW, 49-45#23 Tennessee TechW, 27-10West Gets 100, AgainJunior running back Uriah West now has two100-yard rushing games in his 23-game career andboth have come in his last two games. The native ofDouglasville, Ga., had 116 at Florida Internationalin the final game of the fall and then ran for 106against Tennessee Tech in the Spring opener. Heis the first Gamecock with back-to-back 100-yardrushing games since Roc Thomas had 102 atTennessee Tech and then 135 at Austin Peay in2017.Sanders With the BlockUmstead Sanders came through with a keyfield goal block for JSU in the third quarter of theGamecocks’ win over Tennessee Tech on Feb. 18. Itwas the first blocked field goal by a JSU player sinceConnor Christian against East Tennessee State onNov. 24, 2018.Gamecocks Getting HotJacksonville State has now won its last four games,tying them with Charleston Southern for thelongest active win streak among FCS teams.Longest active FCS win streaks:1. Jacksonville State42. Charleston Southern43. Idaho2James Madison2Nicholls St2North Dakota2Sam Houston2South Dakota2VMI2Dixie State2Central Arkansas2JSU Back in Top 10When the STATS Perform FCS Top 25 releasedon Monday, March 1, the Gamecocks foundthemselves back in a familiar spot. JSU movedup six spots to 10th, their first appearance in theFCS Top 10 since 2018. It’s a familiar spot for theGamecocks, who spent 60-straight weeks in the Top10 from 2014-18.JSU Nearing 400th game at the SnowWhen the Gamecocks host Southeast Missouri onMarch 21, it will be the 400th Jacksonville Statefootball game played at Burgess-Snow Field at JSUStadium. Since the Gamecocks’ home stadiumopened in 1946, JSU is an impressive 288-103-8(.732) in the venue.Gamecock Football on the AirwavesThe anchor of the Gamecock Football Network isthe JSU campus station WLJS-FM 91.9 and canreach a worldwide audience on the Internet at www.JSUGamecockSports.com. Radio veteran MikeParris is in his 38th season calling play-by-playand former All-American and JSU Athletics Hall ofFame defensive back Eric Mims is in his first seasonproviding color.JSU Network AffiliatesWLJS-FM 91.9 (Jacksonville State University)WKXX-FM 102.9 (Gadsden/Boaz/Albertville/Huntsville)WVOK-FM 97.9 (Oxford/Anniston/Talladega)WRBZ-FM 95.5 (Montgomery)WFAZ-FM 90.9 (Goodwater)WJHO-FM 89.7 (Alexander City)Gamecocks to Play 11 Gamesin 2020-21 SeasonJacksonville State was one of 17 FCS programs thatopted to play nonconference games in the fall andwill play a total of 11 games between four in the falland seven this spring. That is the second-most gamesof all FCS behind The Citadel, who played four in thefall and have eight scheduled this spring.Gamecocks Joining ASUN After This SeasonThe 2021 spring season will be JSU’s final in the OhioValley Conference after JSU announced in Januarythat it will join the ASUN Conference effective July1, 2021.The move will include membership in the newlyformed ASUN Football League, which will feature afoundation of JSU, Eastern Kentucky, Central Arkansas, North Alabama and Kennesaw State.FIU Can’t Move The Chains Against JSUIn Jacksonville State’s 19-10 win over Florida International on Oct. 23, the Gamecocks limited thePanthers to just six first downs. It was the first time aJSU opponent failed to gain 10 first downs in a gamesince Eastern Kentucky had eight on Oct. 6, 2018 andthe fewest by a JSU opponent since EKU gained sixon Sept. 30, 2006.Pair of 100-Yard Rushers at FIUIn Jacksonville State’s 19-10 win over Florida International on Oct. 23, two Gamecocks ran for over 100yards. Josh Samuel’s 163 yards were the most bya Gamecock since Troymaine Pope’s 181 againstSam Houston State on Dec. 19, 2015, and UriahWest added 116 yards, himself. It was the first timeJSU 's had a 100-yard rusher in 17 games (JalenGreene’s 121 yards vs. East Tennessee State on Nov.24, 2018) and the first time that two Gamecockshave run for 100 yards in a game since Nov. 16, 2017against Tennessee State (Bryant Horn, 148 & RocThomas, 105).CHAMPIONS 2003 2004 2011 2014 2015 2016 2017 20185
2020 Jacksonville State FOOTBALL GAME NOTESWebb Takes Over vs FIUWhen starting quarterback Zerrick Cooper wentdown with a leg injury early in the Gamecocks’ Oct.23 game at Florida International, junior Zion Webbstepped in a led the Gamecocks to a 19-10 win, thefirst JSU win over an FBS school since 2013. Webbwas 12-for-17 for 103 passing yards and ran foranother 15 yards in leading JSU to the win.Cooper ChasingCareer Passing Yds & Passing TDs RecordsSenior Zerrick Cooper is climbing both the careerpassing yards and passing touchdowns list for JSU inhis third season with the Gamecocks. He has tied EdLett for the school's career touchdown passes markand needs just 161 yards to pass Eli Jenkins as theschool's all-time leading passer. Below is where theJonesboro, Ga., native ranks in each category:Career Passing Yards1. Eli Jenkins (2013-16)7,6522. Zerrick Cooper (2018-A)7,4913. Ed Lett (1979-82)7,1454. Montressa Kirby (1995-98)6,5875. Reggie Stancil (1999-02)5,182Career Passing Touchdownst1. Ed Lett (1979-82)61t1. Zerrick Cooper (2018-A)613. Eli Jenkins (2013-16)474. Montressa Kirby (1995-98)435. Ryan Perrilloux (2008-09)42Cooper Climbing JSU’s Total Offense ListSenior quarterback Zerrick Cooper has now gained8,260 yards of total offense in his JSU career, secondall-time and just the ninth player in school historyto reach the 5,000-yard mark, fifth to record 6,000,third to gain 7,000 and second to get 8,000. Belowis the Top 10 in JSU history in Total Offense:JSU Career Total Offense Leaders1. Eli Jenkins (2013-16)11,4482. Zerrick Cooper (2018-A)8,2603. Montressa Kirby (1995-98)7,6884. Ed Lett (1979-82)6,7745. Reggie Stancil (1999-02)6,2766. Ryan Perrilloux (2008-09)5,4797. David Gulledge (1987-90)5,3398. Maurice Mullins (2002-05)5,1389. Marques Ivory (2008-12)5,08410. David Coffey (1983-86)4,920Pearson Wins Super Bowl With BucsFormer Jacksonville State All-America wide receiverJosh Pearson spent the entire 2020 season withthe Tampa Bay Buccaneers and was on the sidelinefor their Super Bowl win over the Chiefs. Pearsonserved most of the season on the Bucs practicesquad but was on their travel party for the seasonand becomes JSU’s first Super Bowl champion since6quarterback Ryan Perrilloux was a member of theGiants’ 2012 team.Barry Among Top TE Receiving LeadersSenior tight end Trae Barry reached the 1,000-yardmark for his career in a JSU uniform in his juniorseason and continues to climb JSU's career receivinglist. The Summerdale, Ala., native currently has 1,341receiving yards in his JSU career and is 159 yards shyof Rusty Fuller's school record of 1,500 receivingyards by a tight end.Below is a list of the most receiving yards in a careerby a tight end:Player (Years)Career Yds1. Rusty Fuller (1980-83)1,5002. Trae Barry (2017-A)1,3413. Butch Barker (1975-78)1,180Grass The Fastest To 60 WinsWith the Gamecocks’ 24-17 win over North Alabamaon Oct. 17, 2020, head coach John Grass earned his60th win in just 79 games on the JSU sideline. In hisseventh season at the helm of the Gamecocks, Grass,who now has 62 wins, became the fastest coach toreach 60 wins in school history and is only the fifthcoach in JSU history to win 50 games and only thefourth to reach the 60 wins mark, joining Don Salls(95), Jack Crowe (87) and Bill Burgess (84).JSU Limits Big Plays by UNAIn the Gamecocks’ 24-17 win over North Alabama onOct. 17, the JSU defense only allowed one play ofover 20 yards in the game, a 24-yard pass on thirdand long in the second quarter. JSU held the Lionsto 276 yards of total offense in the win.JSU Protects the Ball vs Lions, PanthersIn the Gamecocks’ 24-17 win at North Alabama onOct. 17, Jacksonville State didn’t commit a turnover.It was the first time that JSU didn’t turn the ball overin a game since its last game against UNA on Sept.21, 2019.The very next week at FIU, JSU once again failed tocommit a turnover, making it back-to-back gameswithout turning the ball over for the JSU offense.Third Time is a charm for JSU at FIUWhen the Gamecocks and Panthers kicked off onOct. 23 in Miami, it started a game that has beendifficult to schedule due to the COVID-19 pandemic.JSU and FIU were scheduled to open the seasonon Sept. 3 before having to move that date back tomid-September due to the pandemic. Rising casesacross the country forced the game to be movedagain to the Oct. 23 date.JSU IN THEOVC/NCAA TEAM STATS(Through Games on Feb. 28)OVC NCAA3rd Down Efficiency (.400) . . . . . . . . . . . 1 . . . . 213rd Down Eff. Defense (.412) . . . . . . . . . 7 . . . . 334th Down Efficiency (.500) . . . . . . . . . . . 4 . . . . 174th Down Eff. Defense (.444) . . . . . . . . . 5 . . . . 27Blocked Kicks (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 . . . . . 1Blocked Punts (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 . . . . . 1Completion Pct. (.664) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 . . . . 15Defensive TDs (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 . . . . . 2Fewest Penalties Per Game (6.20) . . . . . 2 . . . . 28Fewest Penalty Yds Per Game (48.40) . . 3 . . . . 261st Downs (97) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 . . . . . 61st Downs Def. (90) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 . . . . 45Fumbles Lost (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 . . . . . 5Fumbles Recovered (5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 . . . . . 5Kickoff Return Defense (25.00) . . . . . . . 8 . . . . 42Kickoff Returns (17.57) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 . . . . 28Net Punting (35.06) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 . . . . 33Passes Had Intercepted (2) . . . . . . . . . . . 3 . . . . 29Passes Intercepted (6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 . . . . . 4Passing Offense (182.2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 . . . . 31Passing Yards Allowed (170.2) . . . . . . . . 5 . . . . 18Punt Return Defense (9.14) . . . . . . . . . . 7 . . . . 41Punt Returns (-0.17) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 . . . . 52Red Zone Defense (0.824) . . . . . . . . . . . 7 . . . . 24Red Zone Offense (.840) . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 . . . . 26Rushing Defense (125.2) . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 . . . . 22Rushing Offense (185.0) . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 . . . . 14Sacks Allowed (1.20) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 . . . . 16Scoring Defense (21.2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 . . . . 21Scoring Offense (25.6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 . . . . 21Tackles for Loss Allowed (5.60) . . . . . . . 3 . . . . 20Team Pass Eff. (132.88) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 . . . . 16Team Pass Eff. Def (114.17) . . . . . . . . . . 5 . . . . 19Team Sacks (1.80) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 . . . . 32Team Tackles for loss (4.8) . . . . . . . . . . . 7 . . . . 41Time of Poss (31:02) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 . . . . 19Total Defense (295.4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 . . . . 14Total Offense (367.2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 . . . . 19Turnover Margin (1.20) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 . . . . 10Turnovers Gained (11) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 . . . . . 5Turnovers Lost (5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 . . . . 40Winning Percentage (.800) . . . . . . . . . . 2 . . . . 16CHAMPIONS 2003 2004 2011 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
2020 Jacksonville State FOOTBALL GAME NOTESThe Last Time JSUhad an Overall Record 1201513-013-113-2198920152015Coop Closing In On OVC Total Offense ListSenior quarterback Zerrick Cooper has moved intothe Ohio Valley Conference’s Top 10 in Career TotalOffense yards. He currently has 8,210 yards in hisJSU career, passing Eastern Illinois' Tony Romo(8,059 yards from 1999-02) for 10th place on thatlist. Here is the OVC's Total Offense Top 10:YEARS PLAYERYARDS2010-13 Jimmy Garoppolo (Eastern Ill) 13,0892013-16 Eli Jenkins (Jacksonville St)11,4482012-16 K.D. Humphries (Murray St)10,7422009-12 Casey Brockman (Murray St) 10,5021986-89 Michael Proctor (Murray St)9,8862011-14 Michael German (Tennessee St) 8,7521987-90 Chris Swa
JSU Record 62-19/7th year Grass vs. TSU 5-0 vs. Reed 5-0 JSU vs. TSU 12-2 Tennessee State Record 0-1, 0-1 Ohio Valley Conference Ranking NR in Media Poll NR in Coaches Poll Last Game Feb. 28 at Austin Peay L, 27-20 Head Coach Rod Reed (Tennessee State, '88) Career Record 56-57/11th year TSU Record 56-57/11th year vs. JSU 1-8 vs. Grass 0-5 .
