Jackson Polar Bears at Louisville Leopards 1999 Football Highlights

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Louisville 35, Jackson 12

Six Jackson turnovers allowed Louisville to build a 28-0 second quarter lead before the host Leopards would go on to defeat the Polar Bears 35-12 on September 10, 1999.

Louisville set the tone early on their second drive of the game. Quarterback Jon Herbert hooked up with Beatty's Sports White Polo AdWide Receiver Andy Shook for a 48 yard gain and also to Wide Receiver Vic McGoye for a 13 yard gain to the Jackson 4. On the next play, T.J. Barnes scored his first rushing touchdown of the season to give the Leps a 7-0 advantage.

“I think we knew we had the ability to play with anyone, but we had to prove it to ourselves,” Herbert said following the victory. “We’ve heard a lot about the second half of the North Canton game, and about finishing the game. We decided we didn’t want to hear that anymore.”

Herbert made sure talk of the opening week 35-7 loss to Hoover was completely silenced. Herbert would finish the evening with 176 passing yards, 65 rushing yards, a fumble recovery, an interception, a touchdown-saving tackle, and was part of four Leopard touchdowns.

Herbert’s 17 yard touchdown pass to McGoye put Louisville up 14-0. Herbert then intercepted a pass at midfield and two plays later ran 47 yards for a score. Then after the Polar Bears muffed a punt, he ended a six play drive with a 5 yard touchdown run. Just like that the Division III Louisville Leopards were leading the DI Jackson Polar Bears 28-0 with 5:09 left in the second quarter.

“Here we are a Division III team, and they’re a Division I (team). We’re in the NBC, and they’re in the Federal League. If this doesn’t give us respect, I don’t know what will,” Herbert said.

Jackson would score twice during the remainder of the contest, but in-between those touchdowns Herbert found Adam Reinford for a 23 yard score to put the final nail in the coffin. The Leopards finished with 313 total yards of offense and their victory snapped a 6-game losing streak to Federal League foes.

“This is a kind of win that can turn a season around,” Head Coach Rick Crislip described the 35-12 victory. “Our kids came ready to play and I’m proud of them. This builds a lot of confidence for us. It’s a building block.”

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Scoring Summary

Jackson 0-6-0-6–12

Louisville 14-14-7-0–35

1st Quarter

Louisville – T.J. Barnes 4 Yard Run (Nathan DeGasperis Kick), 7-0

Louisville – Vic McGoye 17 Yard Pass from Jon Herbert (Nathan DeGasperis Kick), 14-0

2ND Quarter

Louisville – Jon Herbert 47 Yard Run (Nathan DeGasperis Kick), 21-0

Louisville – Jon Herbert 5 Yard Run (Nathan DeGasperis Kick), 28-0

Jackson – Rohr 3 Yard Run (Kick Failed), 28-6

3RD Quarter 

Louisville – Adam Reinford 23 Yard Pass from Jon Herbert (Nathan DeGasperis Kick), 35-6

4TH Quarter

Jackson – Rohr 6 Yard Pass from Byrd (Pass Failed), 35-12

Stats

Rushing: Louisville 32-137, Jackson 33-137

Passing: Louisville 11-19-176-1, Jackson 9-21-112-2

First Downs: Louisville 13, Jackson 15

Fumbles-Lost: Louisville 1-0, Jackson 4-4

Records: Louisville 2-1, Jackson 1-2

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