CULLOWHEE, N.C. — Jackson Byrd threw the first three touchdowns of his collegiate career and East Tennessee State defeated Western Carolina 52-35 on Saturday.

Jackson came on for the Buccaneers (6-5, 4-3 Southern) in with 10 minutes left in the third quarter after starting quarterback Jacolby Criswell hit his head and his helmet came off following a 20-yard scramble to the WCU 10-yard line. Jackson grabbed his head after the tackle and was helped off the field. Three plays later Jackson threw a 5-yard TD pass to Ephraim Floyd for a 30-28 lead.

After WCU (6-5, 5-2) grabbed the lead back late in the third quarter on Taron Dickens' 61-yard pass to Michael Rossin, the Buccaneers scored 21 unanswered points, including Byrd TD passes of 42 yards to Hakeem Meggett and 32 yards to Jeremiah Harri

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