JACKSONVILLE, Ala. --- Jacksonville State scored 23 points off five Chattanooga turnovers Saturday en route to a 33-19 non-conference victory in Jacksonville, Ala.
The Mocs, 0-2, seemed in control of the game at the start of the third quarter, leading 16-6. UTC took the second-half kickoff and drove to the JSU five-yard line. On a third-and-goal play, a deflected Tony Pastore pass was intercepted by Gamecock Drew Robinson, thwarting a possible UTC scoring drive. Robinson took the ball to the UTC 37-yard line, and kicker Gavin Hallford capitalized on the turnover, kicking the third of his four field goals at 8:10 of the third quarter to trim JSU's deficit to 16-9.
The Gamecocks, 1-1, who play in the Ohio Valley Conference, tied the score at 16-16 two series later. Pastore was sacked by Brent Davenport and fumbled the ball at the UTC five-yard line. Marquise Elston scooped up the ball and took it into the end zone, and Hallford's extra point tied the game with 2:41 left in the third quarter.
The Mocs' final lead came four minutes into the final period. Kicker Craig Camay tied a school single-game record with his fourth field goal of the game. His 28-yarder gave UTC its last lead, 19-16.
JSU put the game away in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Cedric Johnson hit receiver Derrick Harris on a 28-yard touchdown pass to push the Gamecocks ahead for good, 23-19 with 7:30 to play. Pastore was intercepted on consecutive UTC offensive series following JSU's touchdown. Hallford tied his own school record with his fourth field goal with 3:17 remaining. Robinson intercepted his second pass of the game, this one he returned 45 yards for a score and the final margin, 33-19.
The Mocs scored 16 unanswered points in the second quarter to take a 16-6 lead into the halftime locker room.
Camay booted field goals of 39, 22 and 36 yards, the third coming at the halftime horn. Receiver Clint Woods scored UTC's first touchdown, taking a short pass from Pastore and racing 63 yards down the left side of the field to put the Mocs ahead 10-6 at 4:29 of the second quarter.
The touchdown was the first career passing score for Pastore and the first career receiving TD for Woods. Playing in place of senior quarterback Antonio Miller, Pastore was making his first collegiate start.
JSU jumped out to a 6-0 lead with two field goals in the first quarter. Hallford connected from 29 and 33 yards for the only scoring in the opening period.
UTC back Erroll Wynn led all runners with 89 yards on a career-best 29 carries. Bryan Fitzgerald chipped in with 43 yards on nine rushes. Pastore threw for 171 yards, completing 10-of-19 pass attempts with one TD and four interceptions.
Sophomore Blue Cooper followed up last week's 83-yard receiving effort with 80 receiving yards on five catches.
Johnson totaled 159 passing yards, completing 12-of-17 attempts with a touchdown and an interception. Senior safety Jeff Phillips picked off Johnson from a deflected pass in the second quarter.
Daniel Jackson was JSU's top runner with 50 yards on 15 carries. Maurice Dupree caught three balls for 36 yards, and Eric Johns had three catches for 19 yards.
Despite a torn labrum, UTC linebacker Chris Johnson tied his career high with 11 tackles to lead all defenders. Sophomore Joseph Thornton collected eight stops, four of which were behind the line.
The Mocs have an open date this week then begin Southern Conference play Sept. 22 at Georgia Southern.
