money Jacksonville State football controls Murray State as Rich Rodriguez gets off to 3-0 start
Jacksonville State football picked up its first road win of the season, 34-3 win over Murray State at Roy Stewart Stadium on Saturday.
The Gamecocks (3-0) scored on their opening drive to cap an 11-play 85-yard drive that ended in Anwar Lewis's first touchdown of the season. Jacksonville State didn’t score again until its final drive of the half with a field goal. Jacksonville State finished strong in the second half to put Murray State (0-2) away.
The Gamecocks were led by Lewis with 184 yards and three touchdowns. Zion Webb went 18 for 28 for 167 yards passing with two interceptions before leaving with a possible injury. Aaron McLaughlin, the backup, went 2 for 4 for 13 yards while adding 50 rushing yards.
Anwar Lewis, run game break out
The junior college transfer had his first two rushing touchdowns of the season. He ran for more than 100 yards for the second time this season, besting the mark he set in the opener against Stephen F. Austin.
Lewis broke free for touchdown runs of 46 and 64 yards.
Ron Wiggins ended the scoring for the Gamecocks with an 83-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter. The Gamecocks combined for 388 rushing yards.
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Interceptions could be a problem
After two interceptions vs. Murray State, Webb has thrown four interceptions through three games . A week prior, Davidson took advantage of the turnovers to get back within two scores after Jacksonville State seemed to have thing sin hand. The Racers were only able to score a field goal after the interceptions.
The interceptions haven’t hurt the Gamecocks yet, but Webb will need to be more careful with the ball against stiffer competition.
Pass defense looks stronger
Like the Wildcats last week, the Racers didn’t throw ball often, especially after going 2 for 7 in the first half. Unlike the week before, where the Gamecocks allowed two scores through the air, the pass defense was locked in when the Racers decided to throw it.
A fake punt was able to gain 37 yards before the Gamecocks forced and recovered a fumble. The Racers' starting quarterback, DJ Williams, was out after tearing his ACL in week one.
A fake punt was able to gain 37 yards before the Gamecocks forced and recovered a fumble. The Racers starting quarterback DJ Williams was out after tearing his ACL in week one.
Up Next
Jacksonville State will travel to Tulsa on Saturday (6 p.m. CT, ESPN+).
This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: Jacksonville State football improves to 3-0 under Rich Rodriguez
