BOO JACKSON SETS RECORD IN DEBUT
BOO JACKSON got his first starting assignment Saturday for the Ohio University Bobcats, and wow, did he make the most of it.
Jackson, starting his first NCAA Bowl Division game after two years at El Camino Community College, amassed 413 total yards to set a new OU school record. He passed 31 times completing 17 for 365 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. He also ran nine times for 55 yards, just three yards less than the Bobcats’ leading rusher.
Jackson’s tosses went to nine different receivers for distances as long as 77, 45 and 43 yards. OU outgained Central Michigan, the two-time defending champion in the Mid American Conference by 513 to 431 and trailed by one in first downs 21-20 but unfortunately CMU overcame a 14-10 deficit at halftime to win 31-28.
Jackson directed a seven-play 87-yard drive in the first quarter to draw first blood, then seconds later powered a 45-yard pass to put the Bobcats up 14-0. The defending titleholders were stunned but came back on two long drives for a field goal and a touchdown to make the halftime score close.
The only score in the third quarter was a CMU punt return for a TD and that ultimately made the difference as the teams matched scores in the final quarter. Actually CMU went up 24-14 with an early final quarter 13-play drive. The game may have seemed over but Jackson connected on a 43-yard scoring pass to narrow the gap to 24-21. When CMU seemed to put it out of reach again at 31-21 Jackson ramped up his 77-yarder. Two fumbles in the waning minutes by Jackson doomed OU’s chances for the upset.
Boo told the OU public relations staff, "I felt real comfortable, going through practice this week with the first string. I've had more time to get to know my teammates and I felt more comfortable in the pocket, whereas before I wasn't as comfortable. I knew I was going to get the start and play a lot, so I felt comfortable with my teammates on the field."
On his health following the game: "I'm a little beat down, but I'm fine. This isn't going to stop me, it's just some bumps and bruises and that's part of football. I wanted to throw the ball and when you do that, you throw yourself out there for the defense to come and knock your clock."
On the game's excitement: "This game was such a big rush because it's a Division I school and there's a bunch of fans out there cheering for us. There were a lot of big plays today and they just made one more than us."
Ohio Running Back Chris Garrett praised Jackson’s effort.
“We feel that Boo can get things done. Obviously, you are going to have some turnovers, but you try to keep them at a minimum. When he did have the turnovers, he didn’t put his head down. He kept going. I applaud Boo and that kind of effort. As an offense and as a team, we still back him because he played a heck of a game. He did great.”
Was Boo's play a surprise with him making his first Division I start? “His performance was pretty eye-opening, but I wasn’t that shocked.”
On his own performance and his catching the ball out of the backfield for scores: “Honestly, the play I scored on, the receiving touchdown, I wasn’t supposed to be receiving. I was supposed to be blocking, but Boo told me on the sideline that if I was open, he was going to give it to me. The first one, he just looked at me and threw it and I managed to score.”
On Jackson making plays and getting him the ball: “We feel that if anything breaks down offensively, Boo can maneuver around and find open receivers, as you saw today. Donte (Harden) scored on one of those plays today. Boo just finds the open receiver and gets it done.”
Coach Frank Solich also praised Jackson: "He's done a good job. He came in and learned our offense quickly. He's a bright quarterback and he progressed a lot in fall camp. We had a lot of confidence in him and we knew he was going to get some playing time in the fall."
OU faces Northwestern of the Big Ten on Saturday.
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LYDELL ON NFL RADAR
As Penn State demolished Syracuse 55-13 LYDELL SARGEANT started at right cornerback and contributed a solo tackle and air tight defense. Earlier in the week he had received a call from Deon Sanders inviting him to Sanders’ Cornerback Camp which is held to prepare college seniors for the NFL draft. According to DON CROSS, Sargeant’s head coach at Cabrillo, Lydell was very happy. PSU faces Temple next Saturday.
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VAI GETS START
Nevada was pummeled 69-17 by Missouri on national TV but VAI TAUA got a starting call at running back for the Wolfpack. He gained 47 yards on 15 carries as he led the team in carries. The Pack draws a bye next Saturday.
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SLAUGHTER STARS
In Aberdeen, South Dakota an inspired Upper Iowa defense led the UIU Peacocks to an upset 31-26 Northern Sun Conference victory over Northern State. Among the defensive spearheads was MIKE SLAUGHTER who returned an interception 28 yards, made nine tackles, four for loss, and notched two 2 sacks. Two of Northern State's last three final drives were ended by Slaughter, one on the interception and the final on a tackle for a seven-yard loss. The Peacocks, now 1-2, host Southwest Minnesota State on Saturday.
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