JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – Josh Barge had six receptions for 100 yards with three touchdowns and Jacksonville State defeated Division II West Alabama 45-34 on Saturday.
The Gamecocks (2-1) had three different quarterbacks combine to go 17 of 29 for 294 yards and four touchdowns. Max Shortell threw two scores to Barge and Eli Jenkins had an 88-yard strike to Markis Merrill.
Leading 24-14 at halftime, Jacksonville State pulled away as Barge caught touchdowns of 13 yards from Shortell and 14 yards from Christian LeMay. Jermaine Hough added a 34-yard interception return for a score in the fourth quarter to make it 45-14.
Kyle Caldwell led a string of late scoring drives, but West Alabama still trailed by 11 and couldn't recover the ensuing onside kick. Caldwell threw for 356 yards with four touchdowns and an interception.
Troymaine Pope had 10 rushes for 121 yards and Miles Jones finished with 108 for the Gamecocks.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.