Story by
The Anniston Star, Ala.
Missed opportunities cost Jax State in 4-OT loss to Ohio
- Story byThe Anniston Star, Ala.
- Missed opportunities cost Jax State in 4-OT loss to Ohio
Jacksonville State 's football team let one get away in Athens, Ohio.
Wide receiver Darius Cannon fell just short of the goal line after catching a pass from quarterback Caden Creel in the fourth overtime, sealing a 29-27 victory for Ohio at Frank Solich Field on Saturday. The loss came after third-string quarterback Levi Davis converted a two-point run for the Bobcats to start the final overtime period.
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Jax State's best chance to lock up the win came at the end of regulation. Taking over with 94 seconds remaining in a 24-24 tie, Creel led the Gamecocks on a 55-yard drive to the Ohio 20-yard line, but Garrison Rippa's 38-yard field goal attempt sailed wide right as time expired.
"We had our opportunities," Jax State head coach Charles Kelly said. "You can't give teams second opportunities, and we did that tonight."
Critical penalties at the start of overtime possessions also hampered the Gamecocks. Jax State was flagged for illegal participation on the first play of the initial overtime session, leading to an unsuccessful rushing attempt from Creel on fourth-and-2. The game extended to a second overtime only after Marc Woods blocked a 42-yard field goal attempt from Ohio's Will Hryszko.
Jax State was backed up again in the decisive fourth overtime following a false-start penalty on tight end David Alpers III. The Gamecocks ultimately came up one yard short, extending Ohio's home winning streak to 14 games.
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"I think we got a good football team, but when you go on the road, you can't have those mistakes," Kelly said.
After Creel powered Jax State to an early 14-0 lead with an 8-yard touchdown run and an 82-yard touchdown pass to tight end Luke Gilbert, the Gamecocks squandered another opportunity late in the first half.
After an 8-yard touchdown pass from Matt Vezza to Riley Neer cut Ohio's deficit to 14-7, Jax State had two separate touchdowns erased by penalties on its next possession. A 57-yard touchdown pass from Creel to Gilbert was negated when offensive lineman Hadine Diaby was flagged for being illegally downfield, and Creel's subsequent 2-yard touchdown run was called back due to a holding penalty on offensive lineman Jeremiah Orr.
The Gamecocks ultimately settled for a 22-yard field goal from Rippa. However, the Bobcats responded instantly when Darren James Hamilton returned the ensuing kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown, cutting Jax State's lead to 17-14 at halftime.
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Jax State running back Khristian Lando pushed the lead back to 24-14 with a 4-yard touchdown run on the opening drive of the third quarter. But Ohio refused to fade. A 23-yard field goal by Hryszko on the first play of the fourth quarter brought the Bobcats within one score, and Ohio tied the game at 24-24 when running back Victor Rosa capped an 18-play, 90-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown plunge with 1:34 remaining in regulation.
Despite the outcome, Creel delivered a standout individual effort. The senior signal-caller finished with a team-high 120 rushing yards on 29 carries and completed 18 of 24 passes for 265 yards. He also caught a 14-yard pass from wide receiver Jamill Williams, finishing with 399 all-purpose yards.
Jax State (1-2) returns home to host Georgia Southern next Saturday at AmFirst Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 6 p.m.
