Jacksonville State Gamecocks
Ohio Valley
Following their season opening loss at Michigan State, Jacksonville State was unstoppable. The Gamecocks beat a good Chattanooga team the following week and cruised through the Ohio Valley Conference. Most teams were no match for their potent ground attack and their stifling defense. The competition has not been all that tough during OVC play, but this is a very dangerous team that can compete with anybody.
2014 Record: 10-1, 8-0
Coach: John Grass
Big Wins: 9/6 at Chattanooga (26-23), 11/8 at Eastern Kentucky (20-6)
Bad Losses: 8/29 at Michigan State (7-45)
Strengths:
Jacksonville State has a trio of running backs that carry the offense. The best of the bunch is 5-9 senior DaMarcus James. He rushed for 1,023 yards and 13 touchdowns on the year, while Troymaine Pope and Miles Jones added 692 yards and 605 yards, respectively. Quarterback Eli Jenkins is a dangerous rusher too and an efficient enough of a quarterback to keep the opposition honest. On the other side of the ball, the Gamecocks have a very effective rush defense, led by Ben Endress. The front four does a fine job of getting into the backfield and there are not many teams that have more tackles-for-loss than Jacksonville State.
Weaknesses:
When the ball is in the air, Jacksonville State could be in some trouble. In general the OVC is a pass heavy conference, so the numbers are a bit skewed, but the team is occasionally susceptible to big pass plays. Turnovers will also play a big part in Jacksonville State’s playoff success or failure. Debarriaus Miller and Jermaine Hough are ball hawks, but overall this team is about even on turnovers. The Gamecocks can control the clock, but the offense is not potent enough to overcome turnovers. And if they fall behind, this team will have trouble coming back. That has not been an issue during the regular season, but it will be sooner or later in the playoffs and then Jenkins will have to make plays with his arm.
Statistical Leaders:
Rushing: DaMarcus James, RB, 1,023 yards
Passing: Eli Jenkins, QB, 1,617 yards
Receiving: Josh Barge, WR, 867 yards
Tackles: Ben Endress, LB, 97
Sacks: LaMichael Fanning, DE, 3.5; Devaunte Sigler, DL, 3.5
Interceptions: DeBarriaus Miller, S, 4; Jermaine Hough, CB, 4
2014 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 279.7 (5th in nation, 1st in conference)
Passing Offense: 220.7 (53, 5)
Total Offense: 500.4 (8, 1)
Scoring Offense: 34.7 (25, 3)
Rushing Defense: 113.0 (17, 1)
Pass Defense: 191.1 (32, 2)
Total Defense: 304.1 (14, 2)
Scoring Defense: 19.3 (18, 1)
Turnover Margin: 0.00 (59, 3)
Sacks: 2.50 (31, 2)
Sacks Allowed: 1.40 (30, 3)
Recent Playoff Appearances:
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 11/15
