Published: October 12, 2008 12:22 am            

Back in the OVC Race

RICHMOND — With the outcome of a crucial conference showdown hanging in the balance, Jordan Dalrymple found himself in position to make the biggest play of his career.

And he didn’t blink.

“I wasn’t thinking much,” the Eastern Kentucky University sophomore linebacker said of the play. “My eyes just opened wide.”

Dalrymple intercepted a pass from former LSU standout quarterback Ryan Perrilloux with 2:02 left to help the Colonels (4-3, 3-1 Ohio Valley Conference) wrap up a 38-35 win over 18th-ranked Jacksonville State (4-2, 2-1) Saturday at Roy Kidd Stadium.

EKU picked off Perrilloux five times, but still had to hold off a furious late comeback to secure its third-straight win and pick up an emotional victory that vaulted the team back into contention for an Ohio Valley Conference title.

“I’m just proud of this team,” said Brandon Gathof, a senior safety who had two interceptions. “I can’t say enough about my teammates. Defense and offense, we clicked on all cylinders and when we got down we found a way to come out of it.”

EKU fell behind early, but stormed back and after a 19-yard run by C.J. Walker just 3:40 into the second half took a 31-14 lead.

However, Jacksonville got a 9-yard TD run by Perrilloux late in the third and an 8-yard TD run by Brandon George early in the fourth quarter.

After senior quarterback Allan Holland scored on a 1-yard run with 7:13 left in the game, the Gamecocks pulled to within three points again when Perrilloux scored on a 4-yard touchdown run.

The Colonels were unable to move the ball on their next possession and give one last chance, the Gamecocks quickly moved into field-goal range. They had the ball on the EKU 33-yard line when Dalrymple came up with the first interception of his career.

“When it looked like momentum was turning and they were starting to get some things going, our kids stood up and fought and made plays,” EKU coach Dean Hood said.

Perrilloux got JSU off to a good start when he hit Maurice Dupree on a sensational 59-yard TD pass down the left sideline just 3:56 into the game.

“It set us back a little bit, but we bounced back, rose up and just played football,” Dalrymple said.

The Colonels then put together a 5-play, 75-yard drive, capped by an Aaron Bradley 4-yard touchdown run. Walker added a 1-yard TD run less than five minutes into the second quarter.

“We knew we had to score touchdowns this week,” Holland said. “We have worked so hard and been on the edge so many times and been so close. Everything finally just started clicking. We kept making plays.”

JSU tied the game at 14 on a 1-yard run by Calvin Middleton, but the Colonels jumped back in front on an 11-yard pass from Holland to tight end Stephen Sizemore. Taylor Long added a field goal in the final second to give EKU a 24-14 halftime lead.

Holland completed 19-of-27 attempts for 242 yards and moved into fourth place on the school’s all-time passing list, while Perrilloux completed 21-of-41 for 304 yards and a TD. Shannon Davis finished with a team-high 116 yards receiving on five catches, including a diving grab at the goal line that set up EKU’s final score.

“As a receiver you only get your number called so many times, so when they come to you, you’ve got to make the catch,” Davis said. “I told Al [Holland], ‘Just get me the ball.’”

EKU had never beaten the Gamecocks at Roy Kidd Stadium (0-2), but the win suddenly gives the defending OVC champs a legitimate chance to defend their title. The Colonels are off next week, but return to action Oct. 25 at home against Eastern Illinois.

“There is still a lot of football left to be played,” Gathof said. “Don’t get me wrong, we are going to enjoy this win, but we realize we have a lot of games left.”

Notes: Long missed two field goal attempts, ending his streak of 13 in a row. The senior’s 46-yard kick just before the half matched his career high. Sizemore’s touchdown reception was the first of his career. Jacksonville State came into the game leading the OVC in rushing offense (212.8), but finished with just 80 yards on 33 attempts. Zach Denton and Andre Evans also had interceptions for the Colonels.

        

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