JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – Eastern’s chances for its third straight Ohio Valley Conference title are finished.

But the Panthers chance for an at-large playoff berth is still intact following a 37-23 win at Jacksonville State on Saturday.

Eastern Kentucky defeated Austin Peay 28-14 to give the Colonels the conference title and an automatic berth into the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.

If the Panthers beat Samford next week in their regular season finale, they would finish with an 8-3 record. Since the FCS playoff field expanded to 16 teams in 1986, no OVC school with at least eight Division I wins has been left out of the playoffs.

“Nothing gets better than this. Our kids played their fannies off,” Eastern head coach Bob Spoo said. “We had to win and we did it in a dramatic fashion.”

And the Panthers (7-3, 6-1 Ohio Valley Conference) have their defense to thank for the win.

The Gamecocks (6-4, 5-2) took over at their own 37-yard line with 13 minutes, 34 seconds left in the game and Eastern leading 30-23. But Eastern’s defense limited JSU’s offense to only two yards on three plays to force a punt.

On JSU’s next offensive possession, Eastern defensive end Michael Torres sealed the Panthers win.

The senior intercepted JSU quarterback Cedric Johnson’s pass at the Gamecocks’ own 40 with 4:15 remaining and returned it for a touchdown to increase Eastern’s lead 37-23 and mute any chance of a JSU comeback.

The Panthers led 23-20 at halftime, and increased that lead at the beginning of the second half.

Junior kick returner Quinten Ponius returned the opening kickoff of the second half 97 yards for a touchdown. It was Eastern’s first touchdown return for a touchdown since the 2002 season.

Eastern quarterback Bodie Reeder had a solid game, completing 15-of-25 passes for 180 yards. Senior running back Ademola Adeniji once again controlled the ground, rushing for 158 yards on 29 carries and two touchdowns.

Johnson finished 14-of-21 for 143 passing yards and carried the ball 14 times for 100 yards. He accounted for all three of JSU’s touchdowns.