MOBILE, Ala. — South Alabama needed a fourth-down stop and a late end-zone interception to hold off Alcorn State 28-21 on Saturday at Hancock Whitney Stadium, improving to 3-0 for the first time since 2010 and for the first time as a Football Bowl Subdivision program.
Kareem Walker ran for 150 yards and three touchdowns on 23 carries for the Jaguars, who survived four lost fumbles. Alcorn State fell to 1-2.
“That wasn’t nearly to our standard,” first-year head coach Kane Wommack said. “We had some things exposed during the first two weeks that we allowed to show up again. Every person in our building has to be relentless to get those things fixed. When you make a mistake in week one, it’s got to get corrected in week two and week three. The best teams in the country continue to get better, and that’s what we have to do in this bye week.”
Two Late Defensive Stands
Alcorn State moved the ball through the air throughout the night and threatened twice in the final 10 minutes. With 10:09 remaining, the Braves completed a 27-yard pass into South Alabama territory and advanced to the 11 before a holding penalty pushed them back. On fourth-and-14 from the South Alabama 17, quarterback Felix Harper found a receiver along the left sideline, but the receiver slipped as he cut inside, and Devin Rockette stopped him at the 7, short of the first down.
South Alabama took over with 5:36 left but went three-and-out, losing a yard. Jack Brooks punted 46 yards, and Manny Jones returned the kick 23 yards to the South Alabama 29 before being forced out of bounds.
Alcorn State completed a 17-yard pass to the 12. On second-and-16, Harper scrambled for 3 yards to the 15. On third-and-13, Harper threw into the end zone for Juan Anthony, and Tre Young intercepted the pass. Young nearly brought the ball out of the end zone, and Alcorn State used its final timeout to challenge the ruling. After review, the call of a touchback stood, and South Alabama ran out the clock.
Walker Leads Ground Game
Walker scored on runs of 1, 13 and 35 yards as South Alabama rushed for 236 yards. Walk-on running back Bryan Hill added 51 yards and a touchdown on nine carries and converted a key first down.
Alcorn State’s defense frequently double-teamed receiver Jalen Tolbert, who finished with two catches for 54 yards. Quarterback Jake Bentley completed 14 of 25 passes for 158 yards while facing frequent pressure. Jalen Wayne led the Jaguars with four receptions for 51 yards, and Lincoln Sefcik and Terrion Avery each caught two passes.
“When you just do your job, and you have an urgency to do your job, good things happen,” Wommack said of his team’s improved play early in the second half. “We ran the same runs in the second half that we had run in the first half, but we executed better and we operated better. Somehow, we’ve got to come out and do our job and start executing at a high level early. On top of that, when you put the ball on the ground four times, you’re going to give yourself a very difficult hole to crawl out of. We were fortunate enough to do that tonight.”
Reshuffled Offensive Line
South Alabama played with a rearranged offensive line. Starting right tackle Antawn Lewis did not play because of illness, and Trey Simpson was out with an injury. Anterrious Gray and Josh McCulloch made their first starts of the season at right guard and right tackle, respectively, and Kent Foster moved to left guard in place of regular starter Hadon Merchant.
Turnovers Keep Braves Close
All four of South Alabama’s turnovers were fumbles, and Alcorn State converted them into 14 points. Wayne and Bentley each lost a fumble on offensive plays. Caullin Lacy mishandled a punt inside the South Alabama 5, and the Braves recovered it for a touchdown. Cade Sutherland, who replaced Lacy as punt returner, mishandled a punt late in the third quarter, setting up an Alcorn State touchdown early in the fourth.
South Alabama’s defense forced one turnover, Young’s interception in the closing minutes.
By the Numbers
South Alabama outgained Alcorn State 394 yards to 297, with 236 rushing and 158 passing. The Jaguars converted 4 of 12 third-down attempts and none of three fourth-down tries.
The South Alabama defense held Alcorn State to 32 rushing yards but allowed 265 passing yards. The Braves converted 3 of 15 third downs and held the ball for 32:00.
Harper completed 20 of 33 passes for 265 yards with a touchdown and an interception. CJ Bolar led all receivers with 128 yards on five catches. LeCharles Pringle caught six passes for 73 yards, and Anthony had six receptions for 45 yards.
Bye Week, Then Louisiana-Lafayette
South Alabama has an open date next weekend. The team scheduled Monday and Tuesday off before returning to practice to address issues from its first three games.
The Jaguars open Sun Belt Conference play at home on Saturday, Oct. 2, against Louisiana-Lafayette, the defending West Division champion. The athletic department has designated the game a White Out and is asking fans to wear white.
