Lake Charles, LA (SportsNetwork.com) - Jacksonville State became the second Ohio Valley Conference team to advance to the FCS quarterfinals next weekend with a 31-10 upset win over No. 6 seed McNeese State Saturday night.
The Gamecocks (11-3) have now won two playoff games in a row and will travel to third-seeded Eastern Washington (11-2) for a national quarterfinal next Saturday in Cheney.
Jacksonville State led the Cowboys 21-0 at halftime and didn't allow McNeese to get much going in the second half in the runaway win.
Senior running back DaMarcus James led the way for the Gamecocks, gaining 127 yards and with three touchdowns on the ground. James set the school's single- season rushing record with 1,428 yards, and has 28 touchdowns this season.
It's the first time Jacksonville State has beaten McNeese State, and the first time in the program's history it has advanced to the FCS quarterfinal round.
The Jacksonville State defense made things extremely difficult for Cowboys quarterback Cody Stroud, who was sacked 11 times in the contest. Prior to this game, the Cowboys offensive line has only given up 14 sacks all season.
The OVC's four playoff wins already mark a conference high in a single postseason. Both Jacksonville State and Eastern Illinois will vie next week for a chance at a trip to the national semifinals. Eastern Illinois hosts Towson (11-2).
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