Saturday’s Ohio Valley Conference matchup between Eastern and Jacksonville State will pit the Panthers (3-3) up-tempo style of play against the Gamecocks (3-2) physical style of play.

The Panthers boast the No. 1-ranked offense in the OVC, leading the conference in total offense, touchdowns and points per game.

As for Jacksonville State, it boasts a defense that is among the best in the OVC in defending the pass, allowing just 207 yards per game.

Eastern head coach Dino Babers credited the Gamecocks stingy pass defense to their scheme.

“The reason why they are so good in pass defense is because they play man-to-man,” Babers said. “They play press man-to-man coverage. It’s a very difficult coverage to throw against.”

With the man-to-man defensive scheme, the Gamecocks will be defending Eastern’s wide receivers on the line of scrimmage, which will make it difficult for Eastern to match the production it typically gets in the short passing game.

“There won’t be any separation on the receivers,” Babers said. “In situations like that, you have to create your own separation. It will be like press man-to-man on a basketball court, that’s how close they will be on our receivers. (Our receivers) have to find a way to separate themselves from the defender and create enough space where Jimmy (Garoppolo) can have enough room to throw the ball to them.”

Along with the receivers creating separation, Babers stressed the importance that Garoppolo commands the offense and avoids forcing passes into coverage.

“(Garoppolo) has to be the end of line commander, and he has to be smart,” Babers said. “When he has a throw he needs to make it, and when he doesn’t have a throw he need not make it. There may be a bunch of situations where he just needs to throw the ball away, not take a hit, and if nobody is open just throw the ball in the dirt and move on to the next play.”

As for Jacksonville State’s offense, it matches the physicality its defense brings to the field as it brings a rushing attack that ranks with the best in the OVC.

The Gamecocks use a trio of running backs and two dual-threat quarterbacks to contribute in the running game.

“They play three tailbacks and all three are fabulous runners, and their No. 3 running back is a transfer from Georgia,” Babers said. “They just rotate these guys in and out and keep fresh tailbacks coming in. They play two quarterbacks and both of them are capable of running the ball. So, really, you have five tailbacks, so to speak, that split up the carries.”

Their most productive running back has been DaMarcus James, as he is rushing for 101.6 yards per game.

He has also been a force near the goal line, recording five touchdowns in as many games this season.

Along with James, the Gamecocks will feature Troymaine Pope and former Georgia Bulldog Washaun Ealey.

Pope is averaging 48 yards a game, while Ealey has rushed for 45 yards a game and one touchdown.

To limit the Gamecocks production in the running game, the Panthers will have to match their physicality at the line of scrimmage.

“It starts with the defensive line,” Babers said. “Our defensive line has done a good job against the run with Roosevelt (Holliday), (Artaveous) Dowdell, Pat (Wertz), and (Greg) Mahan. Those guys have to plug those inside gaps and hold the point. They can’t get pushed back to the linebackers.”

Outside of matching Jacksonville State’s physicality, Babers stressed the importance of getting a win following a loss to Tennessee-Martin.

“It’s important for us to get a victory because we lost last week,” Babers said. “Right now we are 3-3 and we have that losing taste in our mouth, we need to get it out of our mouths. We won’t be happy until we get a win, and we need to find a way to score one more point that Jacksonville State.”

The Panthers will host the Gamecocks at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at O’Brien Field for Homecoming.

Jordan Pottorff can be reached at 581-2812 or jbpottorff@eiu.edu.