Elliot Jacobs threw for two touchdown passes and rushed for another as Division I-A Arkansas State defeated Division I-AA Tennessee-Martin 30-10.

The Skyhawks fall to 2-3 on the season, while Arkansas State improves to 3-3 on the year. The Skyhawks return to action Saturday when they travel to Richmond, Ky., to play Eastern Kentucky in the Ohio Valley Conference opener for both schools. Eastern Kentucky whipped Glenville State, 55-0, Saturday.

Arkansas State jumped out in front 3-0 with 3:05 to play in the first quarter, but the Skyhawks answered with an 11-yard TD run by freshman quarterback Brady Wahlberg with 14:36 to play in the second quarter.

The scoring drive was completed in seven plays and 3:19. The drive covered 84 yards and was highlighted by a 61-yard pass from Wahlberg to senior Troy Phillipps. The drive also showcased the Skyhawks’ success against a stingy Arkansas State defense.

McCorkle acknowledged some penalties and mistakes the Skyhawks made, but overall he was pleased with the effort.

ASU built a 23-7 halftime lead. In the second half the Skyhawks’ defense limited the host to a lone touchdown. Danny Smith score with 12:52 left to play in the game on a 4-yard run.

Arkansas State relied on Smith to spark its offense. Smith, who played for McCorkle at Mississippi Delta Community College, rushed for 146 yards on 30 carries. ASU piled up 216 yards of rushing and 121 yards of passing. Jacobs completed nine of 20 passing attempts.

“Danny Smith is a hard man to stop. He puts so much into it. He puts a lot of effort into it,” McCorkle said.

The Skyhawks managed 211 yards against a faster and bigger Arkansas State team, and for the first time this season finished the game with more passing yards that rushing yards.

The Skyhawks completed 8-of-15 passes for 134 yards.

Wahlberg was 5-of-8 with 95 yards, while Shane Williams completed 3-of-6 for 39 yards.

The Skyhawks, ranked 16th in the nation for rushing, were limited to 123 yards on the ground. Sam Berrien and Carlos Lattimore led the effort with 16 yards each.

“I thought we did some good things. We moved the ball well at times,” McCorkle said. “I thought we played hard on both sides of the ball.”

The Skyhawks were able to move the ball late in the fourth quarter and tacked on a field goal in the closing minute of the game. “I thought we had a good drive there and we needed to get something out of it,” McCorkle said.

Courtesy of Sports Information.