South Alabama Downs Southern Miss 27-20 To Earn Ninth Win
South Alabama (9-2, 6-1 SBC) scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter and recovered an onside kick attempt by Southern Miss (5-6, 3-4 SBC) to preserve the win. The Jags finish their road season 5-1, their only loss a 32-31 walk-off loss at UCLA. It also runs the Jags record against USM to 3-0 all-time as well.
The Jags scored their second touchdown in the fourth quarter with 1:53 left to seal the game. Southern Miss kicked a field goal with :13 left in the game to set up the onside kick attempt needing two scores. The onside kick went to Devin Voisin who got his body in front of it but didn’t cleanly field it. The ball was underneath him as he turned around looking for it. Two USM players dove for it but also didn’t cover it and actually knocked it into Voisin’s chest to cover.
It looked like South Alabama was going to start the game fast again. Braylon McReynolds took the handoff on the second snap 64 yards. But the offense stalled and settled for a short Diego Guajardo field goal for the first points of the game.
After forcing a three-and-out defensively and a 16-yard punt return, the Jags looked to ready for another drive for points. However, Carter Bradley didn’t see a defender hiding behind a referee in the middle of the field and threw it right to him for an interception. Southern Miss drove the short field and Frank Gore Jr ran in untouched off left tackle to give the Eagles the lead 7-3.
After a failed fake punt, the Jags gave Southern Miss the ball at the Jags 36. But the defense held strong at the 5-yard line and forced a field goal giving Southern Miss a 10-3 lead about midway through the second quarter.
The Jags answered back quickly with two big plays for 29 yards each by Braylon McReynolds and Devin Voisin. Bradley found Jalen Wayne crossing in the back of the end zone and hit him in stride to tie the game at 10-each.
Desmond Trotter came in for the final possession of the half after Bradley went to the locker room early to get some treatment on his left shoulder. Trotter led the Jags on a quick drive to set up Guajardo for a 49-yard field goal to end the first half with a 13-10 lead.
After trading punts back and forth in the 3rd quarter, Southern Miss scored on a broken play to regain the lead. Quarterback Trey Lowe and Frank Gore Jr both moved left looking to the sideline, but the center snapped the ball behind Gore. Gore picked up the ball and threw it deep to an open receiver in the end zone for a 29-yard touchdown with 1:09 left in the quarter.
Stats
South Alabama dominated Southern Miss in yardages. The Jags had 411 total yards of offense to 298, they threw for 257 yards to USM’s 196, and rushed for 154 to 102.
The Jags were 5-of-13 on 3rd down attempts and converted 2-of-4 attempts on 4th down.
Southern Miss had a 31:14 to 28:46 time of possession edge.
Carter Bradley went 15-of-22 for 238 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions. Desmond Trotter went 2-of-4 for 19 yards on one possession at the end of the first half.
Devin Voisin led the Jags receiver corps with 6 catches for 97 yards and a touchdown. Jalen Wayne caught 4 passes for 33 yards and a touchdown. Braylon McReynolds added 3 catches for 66 yards. Caullin Lacy caught one pass, a touch pass sweep, for 33 yards and a touchdown.
True freshman Braylon McReynolds carried the ball 15 times for 100 yards, his first 100-yard game as a Jaguar. Marco Lee added 25 yards on six carries and was key converted some short first downs.
Trey Lowe was 18-of-33 for 167 yards and an interception. Frank Gore Jr completed his only pass attempt for a 29-yard touchdown.
Jason Brownlee led all receivers with 7 catches for 109 yards and a touchdown. Latreal Jones caught three for 26 yards.
Next
A few Jaguar players were banged up in the game but none were kept from returning. Carter Bradley injured his shoulder on the touchdown pass to Jalen Wayne. Wayne, on the same play, rolled and hit the wall with his knee. After wincing in some pain, he eventually jogged off slightly favoring the right knee he hit.
A few defensive secondary players were banged up too.
La’Damian Webb traveled with the team and came out to warm but, but quickly changed back into his street clothes.
Hopefully all those guys will be good to go by next Saturday.
South Alabama returns home for their regular season finale against Old Dominion. The Jags and the Monarchs will kick off at 11am on Saturday, November 26 at Hancock Whitney Stadium as South Alabama goes for their first 10-win season as a FBS program.