South Alabama Commits Five Turnovers, Fall To The Cajuns 33-20
The South Alabama Jaguars fell back to earth on Saturday. Louisiana-Lafayette came into Hancock Whitney Stadium and forced five turnovers in route to a 33-20 defeat of the Jaguars. The Jags fall to 4-4 overall and 2-2 in conference play while the Cajuns improve to 5-3 overall, 2-2 in conference play.
Anything that could go wrong for the Jags, did go wrong.
Cater Bradley was sacked five times with three fumbles and threw two interceptions accounting for all of the Jags 5 turnovers. One of the Cajuns field goals hit the right upright and miraculously fell across the crossbar.
South Alabama had the opportunity to put the first points on the board. They had the ball 4th and 1 at the Cajuns 6 yard line. Opting to keep the offense on the field, La’Damian Webb’s run up the middle lost a yard against the Lafayette defensive push which resulted in a turnover on downs.
The Cajuns proceeded to drive 93 yards in 15 plays, which was capped off by a 33 yard touchdown pass by Zeon Chriss to Jacob Bernard with 12:58 left in the second quarter.
On the third play of the Jags ensuing possession Bradley was sacked and fumbled it away to the Cajuns at the Jags own 41 yard line. The Cajuns scored with a 3 yard touchdown pass to finish off the seven play drive.
The Jags offense went three-and-out on the next possession. The snap to Jack Brooks was very low, he was able to pick it up off the ground and was barely able to get it away and it only went 9 yards. The Jags defense kept them out of the end zone, but with a 20-yard field goal the Cajuns were able to take a 17-0 lead into the halftime locker room.
South Alabama started the second half with a quick score. Bradley connected with Jamaal Pritchett for a 6 yard touchdown with 11:53 left in the third quarter.
Louisiana-Lafayette answered with a 42-yard field goal. The kick high the right upright and somehow fell across the crossbar giving the Cajuns a 20-7 advantage.
South Alabama’s offense only needed three plays to answer. A two yard run by Webb set up Bradley to connect with Caullin Lacy for a 62 yard gain. Then La’Damian Webb went untouched for a 25 yard touchdown, which tied him for the season record for most rushing touchdowns.
The Jags were then trailing 20-14 with 6:09 left in the third quarter.
The Jags called a safety blitz while Zeon Chiss ran the zone-read perfectly. The defense bit on the quarterback letting Jacob Kibodi get through the defensive front and go for a 56 yard touchdown. The Cajuns lined up for a two-point conversion, but an offensive pass interference call negated a conversion. Then Kenneth Almendares’ long extra point missed wide left leaving the Cajuns with a 26-14 lead.
Another Jaguar drive ended with a sack fumble on Bradley. But this one was picked up and returned 45 yards for a scoop-and-score touchdown with 1:07 left in third quarter.
The first two possessions by the Jags in the fourth quarter both ended with interceptions. The first was tipped and intercepted by a diving, outstretched defender. The second was on a 3rd and 7 pass at the Cajun 9 yard line. Pritchett was crossing in the end zone but Tyrone Lewis jumped in front and took the ball away.
The Jags weren’t finished. They got the ball with 1:14 left in the game and quickly drove down the field. Bradley connected with Pritchett for a 39 yard touchdown down the left sideline with :16 left.
On the two point conversion, Bradley’s pass was low and fell incomplete. But he was hit and rolled on the floor clutching his left knee in pain. He was helped off the field and all the way to the trainer’s tent.
After the game head coach Kane Wommack said that the early report on Bradley’s injury was positive, but it’s too early to be certain.
“He tweaked his knee in the end there,” coach Wommack commented. “He’s such a competitor and he’s trying to make something happen…It’s going to be pretty sore. He got dinged up, similar to the injury he’s been dealing with all season, but it just got tweaked.”
If Bradley is unable to play on Thursday, Wommack and offensive coordinator Major Applewhite will have to choose between sixth-year senior Desmond Trotter or true freshman Gio Lopez. Trotter has experience starting for the Jags, he was the starter in the 2020 season. Lopez can play in one more game and still redshirt for the season.
Stats
South Alabama
The Jags finished with 498 total yards of offense, with 381 passing and 117 rushing. The Jags were 6-of-14 on 3rd down attempts and 2-of-4 on 4th down attempts. They were flagged eight times for 71 yards.
The big difference was the 5 turnovers. Bradley was sacked five times total, three of them resulted in fumbles lost to the Cajuns. Bradley also had a pair of interceptions.
The Cajuns dominated with a 34:44 to 25:16 time of possession.
Bradley finished the game 29-of-49 for 381 yards, his second most passing yard in his Jaguar career, with two touchdowns and two interceptions.
Jamaal Pritchett led all receivers with 168 yards on 11 catches with of the Jags passing touchdowns. Caullin Lacy continues his 100 yard receiving streak with 131 yards on 7 catches.
La’Damian Webb finished with 96 yards on 16 carries with a touchdown. Kentrel Bullock had 32 yards on 6 carries.
Quentin Wilfawn set a new record for most stops in a game. He had 15, 7 of them solo, with a sack and 4.5 tackles for loss. Jaden Voisin, James Miller and Khalil Jacobs all finished next in line with eight stops each.
Lafayette
The Cajuns finished with 348 total yards of offense, 145 passing and 203 rushing. They were also 6-of-14 on 3rd down attempts. They were flagged six times for 40 yards.
Zeon Chriss was 13-of-17 for 145 yards and two touchdowns.
Terrance Carter les the Cajuns with tree catches for 36 yards. Peter Leblanc had two catches for 37 yards.
Jacob Kibodi ran for 119 yards on 23 carries with a touchdown. Kre’lyn Washington finished with 52 yards on 12 carries. Zeon Chriss finished with 30 yards on 10 carries.
Jalen Clark led the Cajuns with 10 total stops, five solo. Cameron Whitfield was in the backfield the whole game, he finished with 3.5 sacks. Antoine Baylis had 1.5 sacks.
Next
The Jags have a short turnaround. They will travel to Troy for the Battle of the Belt in a Thursday night nationally televised game. The game is slated for a 6:30 pm kickoff at Veterans Memorial Stadium on ESPN2.
