South Alabama Falls To Tennessee 60-14 in Knoxville
The South Alabama Jaguars (5-6) were simply outmanned by the Tennessee Volunteers (6-5) on a cold Saturday night at Neyland Stadium.
The Vols scored on their first four possessions before the Jags put points on the board. Jabari Small scored on one yard touchdown run, then Jaylen Wright scored on a 17 yard run in the first quarter.
In the second quarter Hendon Hooker connected with Cedric Tillman for a 27 yard touchdown followed by a 24 yard touchdown pass from Hooker to Princeton Fant to go up 28-0.
The Jags lined up to punt on 4th and 6 at the Jags own 41 yard line when they snapped the ball to Wayne Gallmon who scampered for 26 yards, giving the offense new life. On 3rd and goal at the Tennessee 3 yard line, Trotter connected with Lincoln Sefcik for their only score in the first half.
However the Jags celebration was short lived, or maybe was too long. Diego Guajardo’s kickoff was fielded at the 4 yard line by Mobile’s Velus Jones who returned it for a 96 yard touchdown with 1:18 left until halftime.
Head coach Kane Wommack came out with a surprise on-sides kick to open the second half which the Jags recovered. Unfortunately offense went three-and-out.
The Vols scored on their next three possessions of the second half and seven of their first eight possessions to take a 56-7 lead in the fourth quarter.
On the Jags next possession, facing 4th and 3 at the Jags own 32 yard line, Desmond Trotter connected with Jalen Tolbert for a short gain past the first down marker. However Tolbert made a defender miss and he turned the play into a 68 yard touchdown to make it 56-14.
Unfortunately that was the Jags final points of the game.
The Vols sacked Trotter for a safety then a snap sailed over Jack Brooks’ head and rolled out of the end zone for another for the 60-14 final score.
Stats
Tennessee rolled up 561 yards of total offense, 311 through the air and 250 on the ground. The Jags only managed 285 yards of total offense, 216 passing and only 69 yards rushing.
The Jags were a measly 1-of-16 on 3rd down attempts and were 5-of-8 on 4th down attempts in the game.
Tennessee was 8-of-11 on 3rd down and did not convert their only 4th down attempt of the game.
Desmond Trotter finished 19-of-32 for 216 yards and two touchdowns with four sacks.
Jalen Tolbert had seven catches for 143 yards and a touchdown to lead all receivers.
Jalen Wayne added two catches for 55 yards.
Kareem Walker rushed seven times for 29 yards to finish as the Jags leading rusher. Bryan Hill carried 10 times for 27 yards. Trotter carried 12 times for 10 yards.
Gallmon led the defense with seven total stops, six solo.
Hooker finished 17-of-20 for 273 yards with two touchdowns and two sacks.
Velus Jones led the Vols receivers with 6 catches for 103 yards. Cedric Tillman had 5 catches for 100 yards and a touchdown.
Jaylen Wright rushed 13 times for 83 yards and a touchdown. Jabari Small had 11 carries for 73 yards and two touchdowns.
The Jags held a 37:00 to 23:00 lead in time of possession for the game.
“It was a terrible performance by our guys,” coach Wommack stated after the game. “We didn’t stop them defensively at all. Offensively we had opportunities in the red zone and didn’t take care of business.”
Wommack continued, “Look, when you have a team like this that goes as fast as they do and has great talent all that stuff, you have to dig deep. You have to find ways to make plays on both sides of the ball and we weren’t able to do that.”
Next Game
The Jags have a chance to get bowl eligible and to snap their three game losing streak on Friday when they host the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers for a 2:30pm kickoff at Hancock Whitney Stadium. The game can be watched on ESPN+.
Lee Greenwood singing at halftime. 
