JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – Ohio Valley Conference leader and #3 Jacksonville State (7-1, 5-0) scored the final 16 points of the game to fight off Southeast Missouri (2-6, 2-3) in a 23-7 victory Saturday afternoon at Burgess-Snow Field.
 
JSU extended its winning streaks to 29 OVC victories and 38 in a row against non-Football Bowl Subdivision opponents.
 
SEMO put together a great defensive effort that featured a season-high eight sacks, including three each by Zach Hall and Justin Swift. But, JSU blocked two field goals and made some big plays on third down to nail down its seventh win.
 
"I knew we were going to have to play extremely well to be in the game," said SEMO head coach Tom Matukewicz. "The first half was tremendous and then they converted some big third downs in the second half. The margins were thin and they are a super good team."
 
Both of the game's first half touchdowns came in 11 seconds or less.
 
After SEMO made a pair of nice defensive stops on JSU's first two drives, the Gamecocks took over on downs at their own 35-yard line following a 43-yard punt by Jake Reynolds.
 
On the next play, Kendrick Doss completed a 65-yard touchdown pass to a wide open Trae Barry downfield to give JSU a 7-0 lead with 6:38 left to play in the first quarter.
 
On the ensuing kickoff, Cameron Sanders ran 55 yards to the JSU 37-yard line. Fifteen seconds later, Jesse Hosket threw a 37-yard touchdown pass to Zack Smith to tie the game at 7-7 with 6:23 to go.
 
Cade Stinnett kicked field goals of 22 and 39 yards, respectively, to send the Gamecocks into the locker room clinging to a 13-7 advantage at the half.
 
SEMO remained within six points of JSU until the fourth quarter.
 
A 40-yard completion by Hosket to Eric Williams on third-and-1 gave the Redhawks a first down at the JSU 30-yard line. Hosket, completed another third down pass, this time of seven yards to Zack Smith giving SEMO a first-and-Goal at the 10.
 
Marquis Terry was stopped for no gain and Williams dropped back-to-back passes inside the 10 after that. Nicholas Litang's 27-yard field goal attempt was then blocked.
 
Stinnett kicked a 36-yard field goal to cap an 8-play, 61-yard drive and push JSU's lead to 16-7 with 3:41 remaining.
 
After Hosket's pass fell incomplete on a fourth-and-8 at the SEMO 27, Roc Thomas dashed 27 yards to the end zone to put the finishing touches on the Gamecocks 23-7 victory.

Hosket completed 15-of-34 passes for 190 yards and Smith caught four passes for a career-high 81 yards to lead SEMO's offense. Eight different Redhawks had a reception for the second-straight contest. SEMO did not have a turnover, as well.
 
Thomas ran for a game-high 92 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries, and Bryant Horn threw for 106 yards and ran for 47 to pace JSU. The Gamecocks outgained the Redhawks, 353-209, and held the Redhawks to a season-low 22 rushing yards.
 
Defensively, Omar Pierre-Louis and Hall paved the way with 15 and 11 tackles, respectively. Swift followed with five tackles, including 4.5 for loss and three sacks. The Redhawks eight sacks were their most in a game since they tallied seven vs. Tennessee Tech on Oct. 31, 2015.
 
Along with the two blocked field goals, Litang also had a 52-yard attempt go off the left upright.
 
Additionally, SEMO was without starting outside linebacker Chad Meredith and wide receiver Kristian Wilkerson. Meredith did not play due to a knee injury and Wilkerson was sidelined with an ankle injury.
 
The Redhawks return home to host UT Martin it their Pink Up Game on Nov. 4.