Jacksonville State 49, Davidson 14 (FCS Playoffs 1st Round)

Recap

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JACKSONVILLE – Jacksonville State erupted for three touchdowns in a seven-minute span to conclude the first half en route to a 49-14 win over Pioneer Football League champion Davidson in the first round of the FCS playoffs at Burgess-Snow Field.

The fourth-seeded Gamecocks (10-2) advance to the FCS quarterfinals for the first time since 2015. Davidson, making its first postseason appearance since 1969, finished with a 4-3 record.

The 35-point margin of victory was Jacksonville State’s biggest in postseason play since thrashing Sam Houston State 62-10 in the 2015 national semifinals.

“The last few minutes of the second quarter broke the game open,” said Jacksonville State head coach John Grass. “The drive to go up two scores was a huge drive, especially after we converted on second-and-35. Then to get the pooch kick and score that easy touchdown was really big for us.

“Any time you survive and advance in the playoffs it’s a good day. The atmosphere was a little bit different without the band or cheerleaders, but the limited crowd was great.”

“Very proud of our guys for being here. We weren’t satisfied with that … Our expectations are to become a program that can each-and-every year compete at a level in the playoffs,” said Davidson head coach Scott Abell. “This year was a measuring stick for us. We certainly understood the challenge.”

Stadium: Burgess-Snow Field

Location: Jacksonville, Ala.

Attendance: 5326

Duration: 2:56

DAV: PHELPS, Tyler (59 PASS); WILLIAMS, Coy (62 RUSH); STAPLES, Jalen (27 REC);

JSU: Zion Webb (239 PASS); Uriah West (76 RUSH); Michael Pettway (59 REC);