Byrd throws his first 3 TD passes in ETSU's 52-35 win over Western Carolina

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 Harrison . Byrd's three TD passes came on just five completions on eight attempts for 123 yards.