Junior runningback Pokey Harris after scoring the second Murray State touchdown of the game Saturday night at Roy Stewart Stadium.
The Gamecocks quickly retaliated as senior standout runningback DaMarcus James carried for a touchdown less than five minutes into the quarter.
The game of back and forth continued as Humphries connected with junior runningback Pokey Harris who forced past a Jacksonville State player for an 18-yard touchdown putting the Racers on top again. Jacksonville State’s quarterback Eli Jenkins once again found DaMarcus James who forced the ball in one yard to tie the game 14-14.
The Gamecocks ended the back and forth battle as Jenkins carried the ball for a touchdown with just 16.9 seconds left in the first quarter. The Gamecocks led the Racers 21-14 as the clock wound down at the first quarter.
The Racers quickly worked their way down the field at the start of the second quarter, carrying momentum into a series of reverse passes. Junior receiver Paul Rice gave the final pass to Harris for a Racer touchdown and tying the game 21-21.
A quarterback sack by senior defensive linebacker Travis Taylor forced the Gamecocks to punt, keeping the Racers’ momentum going.
The Gamecocks returned to the top of the scoreboard as Jenkins earned his second touchdown of the game on another quarterback keep with just under 8 minutes to play in the half.
The score remained unchanged until Humphries found the hands of junior receiver Jeremy Harness on a two-yard touchdown pass to tie the game with 1:46 left.
Jacksonville State came out strong as they returned junior kicker Carson Greifenkamp’s kick to the Racers’ six-yard line. A short run by DaMarcus James put the Gamecocks back on top 35-28 at the end of the half.
A sky kick by Carson Greifenkamp started the half, and the Gamecocks made their way down the field. They settled for a 31-yard field goal by kicker Connor Rouleau, increasing their lead to ten.
With just under seven minutes left in the half, the Gamecocks put another touchdown on the board. Jenkins 30-yard pass to Markis Merrill put Jacksonville State up 45-28.
The quarter continued with no scoring plays by either team. With just 12.4 seconds left on the clock, redshirt freshman safety Cedric Jones intercepted the ball to gain possession going into the final quarter.
Jacksonville State’s quarterback added his third touchdown of the game to the Gamecock’s score with another quarterback keep, increasing the score to 52-28 with nine minutes to play.
The clocked timed out after an uneventful fourth quarter, Jacksonville State taking the win 52-28.