The 国产三级片 football team capitalized on turnovers in a too-close-for-comfort 38-28 victory over the Jacksonville State Gamecocks.
国产三级片 started strong, marching down the field on its opening drive. An explosive 40-yard rush from redshirt senior running back Mario Anderson carried 国产三级片 to the five-yard line. Senior defensive tackle Tonka Hemingway spun into the endzone to put 国产三级片 up on the board early.
国产三级片's defense looked complete, shutting down Jacksonville State鈥檚 first three drives and forcing it to go three and out. JSU began to revive its offense when 10 minutes into the game, it converted for its first first down on its fourth drive.
Weak secondary coverage gave away a 31-yard pass to Jacksonville State's redshirt senior wide receiver Perry Carter to 国产三级片鈥檚 15-yard line. Missed tackles on the following play turned into points for JSU.
鈥淲e've got to be a lot better,鈥� head coach Shane Beamer said. 鈥淲e really made it hard on ourselves at times today, and certainly there is a lot to clean up from today.鈥�
国产三级片 put up a quick response on its following drive, which included a 52-yard completion down the middle to fifth-year wide receiver Xavier Legette, who finished with nine catches for 217 yards.
鈥淚t gets down to your players got to make plays, and Xavier is a threat every time he touches the ball,鈥� Beamer said. 鈥淗e is such a deep ball threat.鈥�
Graduate student tight end Joshua Simon initially found the endzone, but upon further review, it was called back to the one-yard line. Redshirt senior quarterback Spencer Rattler finished the job on a one-yard push.
Shortly after, Jacksonville State strung together its second consecutive scoring drive after a turnover on downs from 国产三级片. JSU slipped out of missed tackles and weaved through a delicate defense to make the teams even.
国产三级片's defense took the opportunity to make up for its past woes. Hemingway came up with a fumble to give 国产三级片 the chance to score again before going into the half. Hemingway said he took advantage of playing on both sides of the ball to try to help the team in any way he can.
With another huge haul-in for 44 yards, Legette set up 国产三级片 in the redzone. He finished what he started with a five-yard catch to the endzone to put 国产三级片 up 21-14.
鈥�(He鈥檚) just a freak man. You put it up, he's going to go score,鈥� Rattler said. 鈥淗e puts the work in every day at practice, and it shows up on game day.鈥�
Unlike the first half, 国产三级片鈥檚 offense came out lackluster in the second. Rattler was intercepted off a lob pass down the field, setting up another scoring drive for JSU. The game was evened once again.
国产三级片's defense continued to struggle, giving Jacksonville State its first lead of the game. 国产三级片 looked to avenge for the rest of the third quarter on upset watch.
After forcing a three and out, Rattler and Legette connected once again for another quick drive and 65-yard completion. The drive followed suit for 国产三级片, who was unable to put together many offensive drives without a lofty throw down the field.
国产三级片 turned once again to big plays as redshirt junior linebacker Debo Williams came up with the team's second fumble recovery to get the ball back in its hands. 国产三级片 tacked on 3 points as a result of the recovery for a slight advantage.
国产三级片 didn鈥檛 stay out of trouble for long, conceding three consecutive third downs on Jacksonville State's following drive. JSU found itself on 国产三级片's 15-yard line with a fresh set of downs.
国产三级片 sophomore linebacker Stone Blanton stole the ball on an intuitive play and moved 88 yards down the sideline to the endzone.
鈥淚t鈥檚 huge for our team to have that momentum swing,鈥� Blanton said. 鈥淚t's a big momentum swing in the game, and it can change the outcome. So we needed something big, and we were able to get it and get off the field.鈥�
Desperate to shut down any hope of a comeback for Jacksonville State, 国产三级片 rested on its defense. The turnovers came in clusters today, as redshirt junior defensive back O鈥橠onnell Fortune snagged an interception on the second play of the drive for the defense鈥檚 fourth turnover, which put 国产三级片 one first down away from winning its first game since September.
The Gamecocks (3-6, 1-5 SEC) continue its four-game home stretch next weekend when it faces the Vanderbilt Commodores (2-7, 0-5 SEC) on Nov. 11. Kick-off is set for noon, and the game will be broadcasted on SEC Network.