MARTIN, Tenn. – Derek Carr tied a career-high with seven TD passes as Tennessee-Martin outdueled Jacksonville State 49-47 Saturday.
Carr threw four touchdowns in the first quarter — three to Quentin Sims — for an early 28-7 lead. Carr finished 28-of-43 passing for 402 yards. Sims had 10 catches for 137 yards and a UT-Martin (7-2, 5-1 Ohio Valley Conference) record five TDs.
Marques Ivory's three first-half touchdowns — all to Alan Bonner — kept Jacksonville State (5-4, 4-3) with 35-21 at the half. Ivory finished 17-of-36 passing for 323 yards and six touchdowns. Bonner caught 10 passes for 235 yards and five scores.
After the Gamecocks cut the lead to 42-41 late in the fourth, Carr found Jeremy Butler for a 4-yard TD with 5:31 left extending the Skyhawks' lead to 49-41.
Washaun Ealey's 2-yard rushing TD with 41 seconds left made it 49-47, but the team failed on the two-point conversion.
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