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Family Weekend Gallery (by Sandy King)
CHARLESTON, Ill. – Jacksonville State quarterback Ryan Perrilloux rushed for two second quarter touchdowns and passed for another to lift the Gamecocks to a 23-10 win over No. 20 Eastern Illinois at O'Brien Field.
JSU improved to 3-1 overall and 1-0 in the OVC snapping a three game losing skid versus the Panthers. EIU fell to 2-3 on the season, 0-1 in the OVC in the league opener for both schools.
EIU looked to set the momentum on the opening drive as the Panthers marched to the Jacksonville State 11 yard line. On a third and one to keep the drive going, Alexander Henderson stripped the ball loose from Travorus Bess and Carnell Clark recovered for JSU.
The Panthers held JSU to a three and out on the next possession but could sustain an offensive drive on their next possession. Punter Kevin Cook pinned JSU at their own 10 yard line in one of four punts he downed inside the JSU 20 yard line.
Alphonso Freeney broke free for a 45 yard burst on the Gamecocks first play and Perrilloux would cap the 90-yard drive with a 17-yard strike to James Wilkerson with 3:27 to go in the first quarter.
Cook would pin the Gamecocks at their own one yard line following the next Eastern Illinois drive and Perrilloux again responded. He hit Maurice Dupree for a 66-yard pass to place the ball inside the EIU 10 yard line. On third and goal it appeared the Panthers were going to hold as two players appeared to have Perrilloux wrapped up for a sack only to see the former SEC Championship Game MVP break loose and rush for a 16-yard score.
“We had (Ryan) Perrilloux contained on a couple of the big plays and we just didn't execute as a defense,” said EIU corner back Rashad Haynes following the loss. “Our defense was in the right position most of the time and we didn't make the plays.”
Perriolloux would cap the Gamecocks third touchdown with a two-yard run after guiding JSU on an 88-yard drive. JSU's final score would come in the third quarter when a punt snap sailed over Cook's head and the Panthers punter had to step out of the end zone for a safety.
EIU did make some noise late in the third quarter as Haynes picked off a Perrilloux pass to set up a 41-yard EIU drive. EIU would have to settle for a 27-yard Tyler Wilke field goal after being stopped at the five yard line on three straight plays.
The Panthers final score came on special teams as Kenny Kinchen blocked a JSU punt and Adrian Arrington scooped up the ball and ran 16 yards for the score. EIU threatened one final time as Bodie Reeder drove the Panthers into JSU territory. Kenny Walker ended the final Panther challenge intercepting the ball at the goal line with 3:06 left in the contest.
After dominating the game at the line of scrimmage last year in a win at Jacksonville State, the Panthers were held in check on Saturday afternoon as they were held to just 20 yards rushing. JSU collected 201 yards with Daniel Jackson and Freeney each rushing for 68 yards.
“As well as we played last week, we played that poorly tonight,” said EIU head coach Bob Spoo. “They beat us up front on both sides of the ball.”
Perrilloux was 20-for-25 for 281 yards and two touchdowns. Reeder kept pace for EIU going 19-for-31 for 206 yards. Haynes led all players with 10 tackles, all solo and one interception. Antonio Bonner led JSU with 8 tackles.
EIU will be off next week before playing on Thursday, Oct. 9 at Tennessee Martin.
