Jags Win The Battle For The Belt, 25-9
Major Applewhite did what his two predecessors could not: defeat Troy and get the Belt back. Tonight, his team did just that behind a stifling defense and three turnovers at Hancock Whitney Stadium.
“I’m just very excited for our players, for our campus, for our city,” coach Applewhite said. “This is a big game, a rivalry game, that we haven’t been as competitive in, in years past. To see our staff, our players and our fans pull together, it was awesome.”
“I’m so happy for our seniors, and so proud of them, to get the Belt back this year,” Applewhite said.
South Alabama (3-4, 2-1 Sun Belt Conference) earned their first win over the Trojans (1-6, 0-3) in the last seven tries dating back to 2017. It was also the first win over them in Mobile since the Jags faced them at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in 2014, the first-ever game officially dubbed the “Battle for the Belt.” It also marks the first win over Troy on-campus.
The Jaguar defense held the Trojans to under 100 yards until very late in the fourth quarter. They would have kept them out of the end zone had it not been for a very puzzling call by the officials deep in the fourth quarter. On a deep pass to the near sideline an official “inadvertently” whistled the play dead. After the officials convened, they allowed the catch and run to stand as well as a penalty for roughing the passer to move them into the red zone.
Tucker Kilcrease started the game for the Trojans, but was pulled after an interception and a flubbed snap that led to a safety. Matthew Caldwell came in and led the Trojans to most of their success in the game.
After a couple possessions by each team with very little success, the Jags finally got in gear when the defense forced and incompletion on a 4th and 2 at the Jags 49. From there Gio Lopez led the offense down to the 17-yard line before the offense shot themselves in the foot with a holding penalty. Coach Applewhite settled for a 36-yard field goal to go up 3-0 late in the first quarter.
South Alabama broke the game open in the second quarter.
Kilcrease was picked off by Jaden Voisin at the Trojans own 22-yard line. Two plays later Lopez connected with Jeremiah Webb for a 24-yard touchdown to put the Jags up 10-0.
One the subsequent kickoff, Devonte Ross chose to return the kick from the goal line and was cut down at the 10-yard line. Kilcrease dumped the ball all to Mojo Dortch at the 6-yard line on the right side of the field. As he was going towards the sideline with several Jags bearing down on him, he retreated towards the end zone trying to reverse the field but would be brought down by Voisin at the 1-yard line. After Kilcrease ducked in behind his line and pushed forward for 4 yards, the ball would be snapped over his head and out of the back of the end zone for a safety and a 12-0 lead midway through the quarter.
After the Jags got the ball back on the free kick, it didn’t take long for the offense to get back on the board. On the 5th play of the drive, facing 4th & 2 Lopez would call his own number and, with the defense selling out for the run, once he broke through the line of scrimmage, he was off to the races for a 49-yard touchdown run for a 19-0 lead with 4:34 left in the opening half.
Troy then put together their best drive of the game at that point behind Matthew Caldwell coming in at quarterback. It led to the Trojans settling for a 36-yard field goal with only 18 seconds left in the half.
Troy got the ball to start the second half but the Jags forced a turnover on downs. Lopez connected with Javon Ivory for 57 yards to get into the Trojan red zone, but they couldn’t punch it in and had to settle for the first of two 42-yard field goals by Laith Marjan.
Late in the third quarter, Lardarius Webb picked off a deep pass at the Jags 6-yard line and returned it 72 yards to the Troy 22. But after a sack on Lopez, the Jags couldn’t get into the end zone again. Marjan added his second 42-yard field goal to make it 25-3.
Stats
| South Alabama | Troy | |
| Total Yards | 318 | 172 |
| Passing Yards | 158 | 136 |
| Rushing Yards | 160 | 36 |
| 3rd downs | 4-of-13 (30.8%) | 5-of-15 (33.3%) |
| 4th Downs | 0-of-2 | 0-of-0 |
| Penalties – Yards | 9 – 100 | 3 – 34 |
South Alabama
Gio Lopez finished 16-of-21 (76%) for 158 yards and a touchdown.
Jamaal Pritchett led the Jags with 42 yards receiving on 3 catches. Jeremiah Wedd also had 3 catches but for 29 yards and a touchdown.
Lopez finished at the Jags leading rusher with 67 yards on 11 carried with the other Jag touchdown. Fluff Bothwell, wearing the honorary #5 jersey, finished with 53 yards on 12 carries. Kentrel Bullock had 38 yards on 15 carries.
Jordan Scruggs led the Jags with 6 total tackles, 4 solo.
Dalton Hughes and Courtney McBride Jr each had a sack as well as Jayln Durgan and Aakil Washington both had ½ a sack.
Jaden Voisin, Lardarius Webb jr, and Wesley Miller each had an interception in the game, Jaden’s 3rd pick of the season and Webb Jr’s second of the season.
Troy
Starting quarterback Tucker Kilcrease went 2-of-6 for -6 yards and an interception. Matthew Coldwell went 17-of-30 (57%) for 142 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions.
Devonte Ross led the Trojans receivers with 70 yards on 7 catches with a touchdown. Peyton Higgins had 21 yards on 4 catches.
Damien Taylor led the Trojans rushing with 23 yards on 6 carries. Gerald Green had 14 yards on 6 attempts.
Jordan Stringer led the Trojans with 11 total stops, 5 solo, with 2 TFL’s. Brendan has 10 total stops, 5 solo with 4. 5 tackles for loss.
“We were sputtering so much offensively the whole night,” Applewhite observed. “For the defense to do what they did, it’s a testament to how they’ve continued to improve throughout the year.”
There’s two, maybe three, guys on that side that have played a lot of football,” Applewhite continued. “But you’ve seen steadily game-after-game, guys getting better, more confident.”
“I’m just very proud of these guys,” Applewhite finished.
Next
The Jags will have a long break, 11 days to be exact, before they host Louisiana-Monroe on Saturday, October 26 for a 4pm kickoff at Hancock Whitney Stadium.
