BURGESS-SNOW FIELD — At Jacksonville State University last night former Cherokee County High School standout Coty Blanchard engineered a 14-point fourth quarter comeback that gave the Gamecocks a 24-23 victory over OVC conference foe UT-Martin. 

The final touchdown came with 38 seconds left when senior running back Calvin Middleton blasted into the end zone from four yards out.  James Esco tacked on the PAT for the win. 

Blanchard finished the night with 133 yards passing and 32 yards on the ground. Collinsville’s Robert Gray had two tackles and an interception, while Piedmont’s Jamaal Johnson added a tackle.   

Cherokee County’s Gabriel Chambers electrified the crowd with three kickoff returns that totaled 104 yards, including one of 42 yards.   

JSU starting quarterback Marques Ivory left the game in the second quarter after fracturing his left fibula. Initial reports indicate that Ivory will have surgery as early as Friday morning and his return to play for the 2011 season is doubtful. 

Next week, the ninth-ranked Gamecocks hit the road for a non-conference matchup with the No. 21 UT-Chattanooga Moccasins. The Mocs open their season tomorrow against Big 10 favorite Nebraska.   

Kickoff for UTC and JSU is set for 5 p.m. (CDT) on Sept. 10.