University of Memphis
Jacksonville State
Big-Play Offense Propels Football Win Over Jacksonville State
Sep 15, 2007 | Football
Sept. 15, 2007
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MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) -- Quarterback Martin Hankins threw for 289 yards and three touchdowns Saturday night to lead Memphis to a 35-14 victory over Jacksonville State.
Hankins' scoring throws of 48, 58 and 20 yards were the main part of a big-play scoring night for the Tigers (1-1). Memphis scored another touchdown on a 38-yard run by reserve quarterback Matt Malouf early in the fourth quarter.
Jacksonville State (1-2), a member of the Football Championship Subdivision, formerly I-AA, got a good performance from Cedric Johnson, who was named the Gamecocks' starter earlier in the week after serving in a reserve role the first two games.
Johnson completed 23 of 39 passes for 214 yards. He also was the Gamecocks' leading rusher with 13 carries for 71 yards.
James Wilkerson had five catches for 73 yards for Jacksonville State.
Memphis used a pair of long touchdown passes to build a 21-7 halftime lead. The scoring tosses were part of Hankins completing 10-of-13 passes for 198 yards before the break.
The Tigers' first touchdown was set up when Tony Bell blocked a Jacksonville State punt, giving Memphis the ball at the Gamecocks' 39. Five plays later, Miguel Barnes struggled and fought for a 5-yard score and an early lead.
Hankins connected with Carlton Robinzine for a 48-yard score in the second quarter. Then with 1:14 remaining before halftime, Hankins threw to Maurice Jones, who strolled into the end zone for a 58-yard score.
Jacksonville State's lone touchdown in the half came between Hankins' two scoring passes. The Gamecocks crafted a 9-play, 67-yard drive, Anthony Jones covering the final 2 yards for the score.
Johnson rushed for 69 of his yards and completed 12-of-19 passes for 104 in the first half.
But Gavin Hallford, who had booted eight straight field goals, missed kicks of 37 and 46 yards.
Memphis would add a 20-yard pass from Hankins to Greg Hinds and Malouf's 38-yard run in the second half.
Jacksonville State reached the Tiger three late in the game, aided by a pass interference call. Alphonso Freeney scored on a 1-yard run with 25 seconds left.
The game also saw the first female official in a Bowl Subdivision football game in Sarah Thomas, a veteran high school official in Mississippi, who served as line judge.
