FCS Second-Round Playoff
The Matchup – Jacksonville State (9-3) at No. 7 seed Maine (8-3) at Alfond Stadium (10,000) in Orono, Maine
Kickoff – Noon ET
Coverage – ESPN3
Series – First meeting
3 Players to Watch – Jacksonville State: QB Zerrick Cooper (232 of 373, 3,051 yards, 30 TDs, 13 INTs), DT Randy Robinson (37 tackles, 10 QB hits, 4 blocked kicks), FS Marlon Bridges (61 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 2 INTs); Maine: WR/KR Earnest Edwards (43 receptions, 673 yards, 7 TDs; 28.3-yard KO return average, 2 TDs), LB Sterling Sheffield (69 tackles, 13.5 TFL, 8.5 sacks), CB Manny Patterson (33 tackles, 1 INT, 19 PBU)
The Skinny – Ohio Valley Conference champ Jacksonville State seeks to keep the momentum going following a strong second half in its 34-27, first-round win over ETSU last Saturday. The Gamecocks are facing a CAA Football team for the first time since 1993. Cooper is the first Jacksonville State QB to go over 3,000 passing yards in a season and has many WR options, including Josh Pearson (63 receptions, 1,061 yards, 17 TDs), Jamari Hester (9 TDs) and Shaq Davidson (3 TDs versus ETSU). The defense has picked off 15 passes and kept opponent completions under 50 percent. Maine won an outright CAA title after being picked eighth in the preseason. The Black Bears, who are 5-1 in games decided by seven points or less, are stout defensively, ranking first in the CAA in total defense (278.8 ypg) and second in the FCS in rushing defense (73.4 ypg) and with 40 sacks, led by Sheffield (8.5), MLB Deshawn Stevens (8) and CB Kayon Whitaker (7.5). The offense ranks a mere 96th nationally. QB Chris Ferguson (1,716 passing yards, 14 TDs in nine games) was forced out of the final regular-season game with a recurring shoulder injury, but is considered full-go again. RBs Ramon Jefferson and Joe Fitzpatrick, who missed the Elon finale, lead the run game.
Up Next – The winner will play either Southeast Missouri (9-3) or No. 2 Weber State (9-2) in the quarterfinals Dec. 7 or 8.
Prediction – The forecasted weather – rain, snow showers, low 30s – favors Maine. Cooper will have to a difference maker. Jacksonville State, 24-21.
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