EKU can clinch title with win over JSU

Sports

November 20, 2009

Nathan Hutchinson The Richmond Register Fri Nov 20, 2009, 12:45 AM EST

The Colonels needed a little help — and they got it from a very unlikely source.

Now, they know they control their own destiny heading into the regular-season finale Saturday at Jacksonville State.

Eastern Illinois (8-3, 6-2 OVC) had a chance to wrap up the Ohio Valley Conference title Thursday at home against Tennessee State (4-7, 3-4). However, the Tigers pulled off a 21-10 upset of the 13th-ranked Panthers, giving the Colonels a shot at a third-straight title. Tennessee State had lost four-straight games, but scored three second-half touchdowns to stun Eastern Illinois.

Eastern Kentucky University (5-5, 5-2 OVC) can clinch a record 21st OVC title and an automatic bid to the FCS Playoffs with a win against 15th-ranked Jacksonville State.

If the Gamecocks beat EKU in the regular-season finale, Eastern Illinois will win the title and head to the postseason.

EKU has lost three of its past four games, including an extremely disappointing loss at home last Saturday to Western Carolina.

The Colonels have won two-straight against Jacksonville State. They picked up a 38-35 win last season over the Gamecocks at Roy Kidd Stadium.

TSU’s Calvin McNairl threw for one touchdown and ran for another in the upset victory over Eastern Illinois.

McNairl put the Tigers ahead 7-3 in the third quarter when he scored from a yard out. His 3-yard pass to Ronald Bright extended the edge to 14-3.

After Charles Graves hauled in a 22-yard TD pass from Jake Christensen with 10:11 left to help Eastern Illinois trim the gap to 14-10, Donte Thomas scored on a 10-yard run to put TSU in command.

McNairl finished 9-of-16 for 135 yards. Thomas carried the ball 20 times for 70 yards. Christensen was 13-of-33 for 151 yards and had three interceptions.

Text Only

Sports

H.S. HOOPS: Lady Indians use late surge to top Tates Creek on Senior Night
All it took was a quick glance and a few simple words.

February 15, 2012 1 Photo
H.S. HOOPS: Model rally comes up just short
The Patriots battled back, but the Admirals answered with a late surge that carried them to a win on the road.

February 15, 2012
H.S. HOOPS: Pirates roll past Monticello, Southern falls
The Pirates took charge early and never let up Tuesday on the road.

February 15, 2012
OVC HOOPS: Colonels looking to go on the offensive
The Colonels are still trying to stop the bleeding.

February 15, 2012
H.S. HOOPS: Berea, Central set to meet again in district tourney
For the fifth straight year, the pairings for the opening round of the 44th District Basketball Tournaments will be exactly the same.

February 15, 2012
BOWLING: Poynter takes title at city tourney
The Madison County Bowling Association’s annual City Tournament was contested over the weekends of Jan. 28 and 29 and Feb. 4 and 5.

February 14, 2012
H.S. HOOPS: Lady Eagles top Estill County
The Lady Eagles trailed for most of the game, but rallied late to pick up a solid win on the road.

February 14, 2012
H.S. HOOPS: Central rolls to 86-55 win over South Laurel on Senior Night
South Laurel knocked down some shots in the opening minutes Monday against No. 2 Madison Central.

February 14, 2012 1 Photo
Three bowlers reach 700 at Galaxy
Three men rolled a 700 series in league play at Galaxy last week.

February 12, 2012
KIAC HOOPS: Berea women blast Midway College, 53-34
The Berea College women’s basketball team scored a solid victory Saturday afternoon at home, beating Midway College 53-34.

February 12, 2012
More Sports Headlines

Sports

Search Results

EKU can clinch title with win over JSU

Have you ever attended a meeting of a local government agency or taxing district?

Site Map