JACKSONVILLE - Jacksonville State went out a winner in its final game at Burgess-Snow Field as an FCS program.

The Gamecocks, who are moving to FBS Conference USA in 2023, knocked off Eastern Kentucky 42-17 as quarterback Zion Webb – one of 11 upperclassmen honored in a Senior Day pregame ceremony – and Pat Jackson each rushed for two touchdowns.

Jax State improved to 8-2, 4-0 in the ASUN Conference, and can stake their claim to the league title outright with a win at Central Arkansas in next week's season finale.

"I'm really proud of our guys – they played hard and all three phases contributed in some way," said Jacksonville State head coach Rich Rodriguez. "I think our guys were really focused for those seniors. It was a really good win."

Webb had touchdown runs of four and six yards in the first half as Jax State opened a 21-7 lead at the break.

The senior quarterback finished with a career-best 104 yards on the ground in his 39^th appearance in a JSU uniform, his previous high of 100 yards coming against the Colonels four years earlier. He also threw for 155 yards, completing 10 of 16 passes.

Jackson scored Jax State's first and last touchdowns, both on 1-yard runs in the first and fourth quarters, respectively. Ron Wiggins ran for 139 yards on 13 carries and scored on a 26-yard touchdown jaunt in the third quarter.

Matt LaRoche contributed a 5-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter en route to 82 yards on 14 rushes.

Eastern Kentucky (6-4, 2-2), which entered the day averaging 36.1 points per game, was held to a season-low 17 points.

The Gamecocks will hit the road for their final game next Saturday at Central Arkansas. It will be Jax State's first visit to Estes Stadium, which features a purple and gray striped artificial surface.

"For our guys, they've got at least a share of (the ASUN title), so this is a huge week for us coming up because we don't want a share of it. We want to try to win it outright," said Rodriguez.

Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. and the game will be available on ESPN+.

Jacksonville State Postgame Notes – Eastern Kentucky
November 12, 2022 • Burgess-Snow Field at JSU Stadium • Jacksonville, Ala.

• JSU Captains: Redshirt senior linebacker Stevonte Tullis from Dothan, redshirt senior placekicker Brenton King from Auburn, Ga., redshirt senior offensive lineman Josh Wegener from Algona, Iowa, and redshirt senior Zack Cangelosi from Harvest.
• Jax State improved to 11-8 all-time against Eastern Kentucky and is now 6-4 in the series at home
• Eastern Kentucky won the opening coin toss and deferred the option to the second half
• Ron Wiggins' 139-yard rushing performance marked a career-best for sophomore from Jacksonville. His previous best was 98 yards at Lamar in 2021.
• Alen Karajic's first extra point late in the first quarter with his 200^th career point, making the sophomore the 15^th player and eighth kicker in Jax State history to achieve the milestone
• Karajic's second PAT in the second quarter moved him past Rocky Riddle (1976-79) into 14^th place on JSU's career scoring list. He kicked five extra points and now stands at 204 career points, two behind Connor Rouleau (2010-13) for 13^th all-time.
• Karajic moved into seventh place on JSU's career extra points made (104) list, surpassing Joe Hix (1972-75). He's currently 12 behind Riddle, who was 116-of-126 on PATs, for sixth place.
• Safety Kolbi Fuqua's third-quarter interception was the third of his career and second this season
• Pat Jackson scored on a pair of 1-yard runs for the fourth and fifth touchdowns of the 2022 season. It was the first multiple-TD game of the redshirt junior back's career.
• Running back Bam Smith saw his first action of the year in the fourth quarter and ran six times for 16 yards
• Safety Fred Perry had a team-high 11 tackles, his third double-digit tackle performance in the Gamecocks' last five games
• Linebacker Laletia Hale recorded a career-high nine stops vs. the Colonels. His previous high was five tackles on three occasions.
• Brenton King, one of the 11 seniors recognized on Senior Day, kicked an extra point and is now 12-of-12 on PATs for his career
• The Gamecocks' 341 yards rushing marked their third-most of the year, trailing only wins over Murray State (388) and North Alabama (350)
• Pat Jackson posted a unique stat line: four carries for one net yard with two touchdowns
• A fumble recovered by defensive end Curley Young Jr. was Jax State's 11^th of the season. JSU entered the game tied for sixth among all FCS schools in fumble recoveries.

Postgame Quote:
Head Coach Rich Rodriguez 

Opening Quotes: 

"I'm really proud of our guys. We played hard and all three phases contributed in some way. I think our guys were really focused, not only to win the conference but to win for our seniors. I think years from now they'll go back and remember it because our guys played hard and executed when they had to. They got a few big plays because they've got some really good players, but our guys stayed focused and got a really good win. I'm proud of our guys." 

On Zion Webb's Performance: 

"I'm really proud of him. For his first year under our system, he's done pretty well. There's a couple of things that I know he would have liked to have back today, but boy he competes. He's a great competitor and I thought he made a big difference in today's game." 

On Stevonte Tullis' Leadership: 

"Stevonte Tullis is as good of a senior leader that I have ever had while coaching. That's a high compliment to him, how he prepares, and what he has meant to our program. Whatever he chooses to do in life, I promise that man has as bright of a future as anyone out there." 

Zion Webb, Quarterback, Redshirt Senior 

On Playing Next Week for a Conference Championship: 

"I think it really means something to the eleven seniors for them to go out with a bang and set the foundation for Jacksonville State as a winning program going forward. It's just really big for us to go out with a win, leave everything out on the field, and even though we won't be recognized as ASUN champions, it will still be known." 

Jeremiah Harris, Safety, Redshirt Senior 

On Getting to Have One More Year at JSU: 

"It's very special. I'm excited to get one more year to come back and try my best to lead with excellence. I can't wait to show the younger guys the ropes and how to play Jacksonville State football." 

Stevonte Tullis, Linebacker, Redshirt Senior 

On His Last Home Game: 

"It's always good to get a win, especially on senior night. All that I've asked the other guys for is just to leave everything out on the field and I think that's what everyone did. We gave everything that we had and came out with a win." 

Ron Wiggins, Running Back, Redshirt Sophomore 

On His First 100-Yard Rushing Game: 

"It feels great. I just have to thank the offensive linemen for giving me the opportunity and the preparation in practice. I was close twice, but I just kept being patient and waiting for my line to set it up and found my way through the gap."