ASSOCIATED PRESS

ASSOCIATED PRESS
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (AP) -- Freshman quarterback Justin Haddix threw three first-half touchdown passes and defending champion Western Kentucky beat Jacksonville State 45-7 Saturday in the first round of the Division I-AA playoffs.
Haddix also had a 1-yard touchdown run in the third quarter as the Hilltoppers (9-3) won for the sixth time in seven games. Western Kentucky will play at Wofford in next week's quarterfinals.
The Hilltoppers dominated Jacksonville State (8-4) from the start, scoring touchdowns on their first three possessions.
Haddix threw a 30-yard touchdown pass to Shannon Hayes just 1:22 into the game. Jacksonville State failed to get a first down on its first possession and Lerron Moore scored on a 75-yard touchdown run just 1:05 after Hayes' touchdown catch.
Jeremy Chandler intercepted a pass on Jacksonville State's next possession, setting up Western Kentucky at the Gamecocks 28. On first down, Haddix threw a touchdown pass to Casey Rooney with 10:41 still left in the first quarter.
Haddix added a 45-yard touchdown pass to Hayes on the final play of the first half.
The Hilltoppers had a 12-play, 90-yard drive in the third quarter and Haddix scored with 3:25 left for a 35-0 lead.
Chris Miller had a 1-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter before the Gamecocks mounted their first scoring drive. Maurice Mullins got Jacksonville State on the board with a 28-yard touchdown pass to Milan Randle with 10:21 left.
Matt Lange tacked on a 37-yard field goal with 4:37 remaining for the final margin.
The Hilltoppers piled up 534 yards and held the Gamecocks to 192.