Eastern Illinois vs. No. 12 Jacksonville State
O'Brien Field (10,000) • Charleston, Ill.
April 3, 2021 • 1 p.m. • TV: ESPN+
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NOTES TO KNOW
• Freshman running back
Jordan Smith was named the Ohio Valley Conference Newcomer of the Week following his performance against Murray State on Sunday. Smith rushed for 142 yards on 13 carries including an 80-yard touchdown early in the third quarter. The 80-yard touchdown is the third longest rushing touchdown in the FCS this season. Smith's 80-yard scamper was just the 11th EIU career rushing touchdown covering 80 or more yards and the first since Malik Harrison ran 83 yards against Tennessee Tech (Oct. 24, 2015)
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Jordan Smith became the second Eastern Illinois running back this season to crack the 100-yard mark in a game joining
Jaelin Benefield who had 120 yards at Tennessee State. Smith is now the EIU rushing leader for the season with 227 yards. Benefield is second on the team with 216 yards. Smith's 142 yard performance is the third highest in OVC games this spring as eleven players have rushed for 100 or more yards this conference season.
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Mark Williams picked off a pass for the second straight week as the senior returned a pick on the first play of the third quarter 38 yards for a touchdown. It was Williams second career interception return for touchdown (freshman season vs. Indiana State). He now has nine career interceptions with at least one in each of his four seasons with the Panthers. Williams finished the Murray State game with five tackles and one pass break-up as he now has 25 pass break-ups for his career to rank sixth on the EIU career list. The last EIU player to return an interception for a touchdown was
Bryce Dewberry against UT Martin on Oct. 28, 2018, a 61-yard return for touchdown.
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Jason Johnson posted 11 tackles (five solo) on Sunday at Murray State as the sophomore linebacker recorded double figure tackles for the second straight week. He was named the OVC Defensive Player of the Week following his 15 tackle performance against Tennessee Tech on March 21. Johnson leads the OVC with 55 tackles this season including six tackles for loss and one sack. Johnson currently ranks 13th in the FCS in tackles per game and 19th in the FCS in solo tackles.
