Eastern still has a say in which team will host the Ohio Valley Conference Championship and the teams primary goal is an upset.

The Panthers will be making its first appearance to Paul Snow Stadium in Jacksonville, Ala. to face the 21st-ranked Jacksonville State Gamecocks.

However, Eastern is attempting to downplay its travel plans as the team will be making the flight the day of the contest.

Spoo and company have no idea how that change will affect the physical ability of the team to perform Saturday afternoon.

“I just can’t tell you how we will deal with that factor, and I guess we’ll have to find out on Saturday,” Spoo said.

The Panthers will be attempting to finish their season at 6-6 by winning the final two games and having its fourth consecutive season at .500 or better.

“We’re going to Jacksonville not only motivated to beat the league’s first place team but also keep alive our chances to finish 6-6,” Spoo said.

Offense

The Jacksonville State Gamecocks are ranked eighth nationally in rushing by averaging over 256 yards per game and are led by tailback Kory Champman who averages 161 yards per game.

Spoo has expressed concern about the the Gamecocks being the first team the Panthers have seen that uses the option rushing attack.

“They like to run the option, and no matter what that puts a lot of stress on the opposing defense,” Spoo said.

Jacksonville State has shown no need to use an aerial attack by averaging only 117 passing yards per game.

The Gamecocks quarterback is an essential component to the Gamecocks moving the football, as proved in last week’s 49-32 win over Samford .

Sophomore signal caller Maurice Mullins rushed for three touchdowns and threw for another during the 17-point victory. Mullins was 13 of 21 for 121 yards and gained 6.6 yards per play.

“Besides Missouri, this is the strongest offensive team we’ve faced this year so it will be a challenge for our guys,” Spoo said.

The Panthers had 27 points before halftime, but the offense is still not where they would like it to be.

Quarterback Andrew Harris was efficient last week completing 14 of 20 passes with touchdown passes before the intermission.

The Panther offense was able to score four of the six times it reached the red zone, which is execution Spoo enjoys seeing.

“Our offense capitalized by scoring when it was given the opportunity last week,” Spoo said.

Tailback Andre Raymond had his best performance of the conference season by running for 86 yards but is still hampered with nagging injuries.

“It’s still a day-to-day thing with Andre and he had to come out of the ball game again,” Spoo said.

Raymond needs just 30 yards to pass Jaime Jones (1988-91) for second on the all time list for total yardage with 5584 yards.

Advantage: Jacksonville State

Defense

The way Jacksonville State has lit up the scoreboard in the Ohio Valley Conference, the Gamecocks have failed to need a defense.

Jacksonville State, however, is ranked best in the OVC in scoring defense by allowing only 21 points per game but is very vulnerable against the pass.

The passing defense is ranked last in the conference by only allowing nearly 300 yards through the air. The Gamecocks have dealt with inconsistencies in defending the passing game with a secondary containing only a single senior.

This has forced the Gamecocks’ offense to win games by putting up several points on the board.

Jacksonville State has the OVC’s best rushing defense by containing opponents tailbacks to 106 yards per game.

Eastern forced eight turnovers in last week’s 37-10 win over Tennessee Tech which included the a 60-yard fumble recovery by senior Jake Maurer.

“We’ve shown the ability like in the Missouri game to stop the run, and we’ve certainly been improving as the season goes along,” Spoo said.

The emotional leader of the defense and co-captain Fred Miller made a return last week to his inside linebacker position.

Miller was out for nearly a month after suffering a knee sprain that initially looked to be a season-ender.

The defense has cracked the Top 50 in the nation in all aspects, and has begun to play like they control the Panthers fate. Most importantly, Spoo and the rest of the coaching staff is pleased with the mentality of the squad.

“I’m proud that this team did not quit when we started the year 1-5,” Spoo said.

Advantage: Eastern

Final Score: Eastern 28, Jacksonville State 27