JACKSONVILLE, Ala. (AP) Jaylen Swain returned an interception 39 yards for a touchdown and Malik Feaster returned a fumble 100 yards for a score to help Jacksonville State hold off North Alabama 27-24 in nonconference action on Saturday.

The Gamecocks (2-1) pulled within 10-6 on Alen Karajic's 39-yard field goal with 1:50 left in the first half. On the ensuing possession North Alabama quarterback Parker Driggers fumbled on the goal line after a 15-yard run with 58 seconds left in the half and Feaster scooped and scored to put JSU up 13-10.

The Gamecocks' defense delivered again in the third quarter on Swain's pick-6 to push their lead to 20-10. The Lions (0-3) answered using a six-play, 65-yard drive, culminating with Brady Pope's 4-yard TD run to pull within 20-17 with 3:16 left in the third quarter. JSU regained a 10-point lead on freshman quarterback Matthew Caldwell's 8-yard TD run with 10:31 left in the game. The Lions again pulled within three points on Blake Dever's 47-yard scoring strike to Cortez Hall with 2:17 left, but they failed to get the ball back.