Jacksonville State Gamecocks
Ohio Valley
Jacksonville State’s only loss on the year came against LSU. That is not a bad resume heading into the playoffs. With non-conference wins over Coastal Carolina and Liberty, the Gamecocks proved that they are ready for the playoffs. However, the OVC turned out to be pretty weak this season and JSU has not been as well tested as many other teams in the playoffs. But coming off of last year’s championship game loss, this is a group determined to get back there.
2016 Record: 10-1, 7-0
Coach: John Glass
Big Wins: 9/17 Coastal Carolina (27-26), 9/24 at Liberty (48-19)
Bad Losses: 9/10 at LSU (13-34)
Strengths:
With a stout defense that constantly gets to the quarterback, Jacksonville State has the ability to make another deep playoff run. Darius Jackson has had another very good season at the defensive end spot, but JSU has a slew of players who can get to the quarterback. The team ranks second in the FCS with 3.60 sacks per game and every offense JSU faces will have to be ready to face their formidable pass rush. Safety Marlon Bridges has had a superb freshman campaign and has taken advantage of all of the pressure the front four gets in the backfield. The same is true for senior cornerback Jaylen Hill, who makes a lot of big plays in the secondary.
Weaknesses:
Quarterback Eli Jenkins has not been as productive this season as he was in 2015, but he is still an explosive playmaker. He leads the team in rushing and has been able to make some big plays through the air when needed as well. Jenkins has not been very consistent in the passing game, yet he is still the program’s all-time leading passer. And senior receiver Josh Barge is the all-time leader in receptions and yardage. Jacksonville State will look to the ground game first. When Jenkins is not carrying the ball, Josh Clemons and Roc Thomas will be. The concern is if Jenkins and Barge are ready to make plays through the air once Jacksonville State finds themselves behind or in a close game. They have not needed to make many plays so far this year, but the time will come in the playoffs sooner or later.
Statistical Leaders:
Rushing: Eli Jenkins, QB, 795 yards; Roc Thomas, RB, 782 yards; Josh Clemons, RB, 731 yards
Passing: Eli Jenkins, QB, 1,967 yards
Receiving: Josh Barge, WR, 600 yards
Tackles: Marlon Bridges, S, 79
Sacks: Darius Jackson, DE, 10
Interceptions: Jaylen Hill, CB, 6
2016 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 248.8 (7th in nation, 1st in conference)
Passing Offense: 195.8 (78, 9)
Total Offense: 444.6 (19, 1)
Scoring Offense: 31.4 (28, 3)
Rushing Defense: 74.1 (4, 1)
Pass Defense: 172.0 (11, 1)
Total Defense: 246.1 (1, 1)
Scoring Defense: 17.2 (9, 1)
Turnover Margin: 1.00 (13, 1)
Sacks: 3.60 (2, 1)
Sacks Allowed: 1.60 (38, 3)
Recent Playoff Appearances:
2015 Second Round Defeated Chattanooga
2015 Quarterfinals Defeated Charleston Southern
2015 Semifinals Defeated Sam Houston State
2015 Championship Lost to North Dakota State
2014 Second Round Lost to Sam Houston State
2013 First Round Defeated Samford
2013 Second Round Defeated McNeese State
2013 Quarterfinals Lost to Eastern Washington
2010 Second Round Lost to Wofford
2004 First Round Lost to Furman
2003 First Round Lost to Western Kentucky
*all team stats through 11/12
