BOONE, N.C. — South Alabama forced three turnovers but could not convert any of them into points as Appalachian State beat the Jaguars 31-7 on Saturday in cold conditions at Kidd Brewer Stadium.
The loss dropped South Alabama to 5-5 overall and 2-5 in the Sun Belt Conference.
Early Deficit
Appalachian State built a 14-0 lead. On South Alabama’s next possession, a confrontation broke out between the teams at the line of scrimmage, and offsetting flagrant fouls cost South Alabama starting offensive lineman Anterrious Gray for the rest of the game. A walk-on freshman stepped in to replace him.
Two plays after the incident, quarterback Desmond Trotter threw a 27-yard touchdown pass to Jacob Hopper, the Jaguars’ only score of the day.
Missed Chances
Darrell Luter intercepted a pass late in the second quarter to give South Alabama a chance to score before halftime. Completions of 24, 7, 4 and 22 yards moved the Jaguars into Appalachian State territory, but the drive stalled and Diego Guajardo’s 40-yard field goal attempt hit the left upright.
South Alabama later reached fourth-and-goal at the 3-yard line and went for it. Trotter’s pass to Lincoln Sefcik in the flat was stopped for a 1-yard loss, and the Mountaineers took over on downs and drove for a field goal and a 17-7 lead.
Midway through the fourth quarter, Appalachian State faced fourth-and-3 at the South Alabama 14 and passed up a field goal. Chase Brice lofted a pass to his left that Thomas Hennigan ran under for a touchdown and a 24-7 lead with 8:23 remaining.
After an exchange of three-and-outs, Trotter moved the Jaguars down the field with completions of 7, 1, 15, 20 and 15 yards to reach the Appalachian State 9. A blitzing defender hit Trotter as he threw, and the ball fluttered to the goal line, where it was intercepted and returned the length of the field for the final touchdown.
Statistical Leaders
South Alabama gained 284 yards, 226 passing and 58 rushing. The Jaguars converted 3 of 16 third downs and 2 of 5 fourth downs.
- Trotter completed 21 of 38 passes for 226 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions.
- Jalen Tolbert caught seven passes for 108 yards on 12 targets.
- Jalen Wayne caught five passes for 50 yards.
- Hopper had two receptions for 42 yards and the touchdown.
- Terrion Avery ran 11 times for 24 yards, and Kareem Walker added 20 yards on seven carries.
- AJ Deshazor led the defense with 10 tackles, five of them solo.
- Jamall Hickbottom had the game’s only tackle for loss and forced a fumble, and Shawn Jennings also forced a fumble.
- Luter and Devin Rockette each intercepted a pass.
Appalachian State finished with 330 yards, 195 passing and 135 rushing, converted 5 of 14 third downs and went 3 for 3 on fourth down. The Mountaineers scored 14 points off two takeaways.
- Brice completed 14 of 26 passes for 195 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions and scored the team’s only rushing touchdown.
- Hennigan caught five passes for 37 yards and a touchdown.
- Corey Sutton caught three passes for 34 yards and a touchdown.
- Camerun Peoples ran 23 times for 90 yards, and Nate Noel had 22 yards on seven carries.
Up Next: Tennessee
South Alabama closes its three-game road trip and its road schedule at Tennessee on Saturday, Nov. 20. Kickoff at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville is set for 6:30 p.m. Central. The Jaguars need one win in their final two games to become bowl eligible for the first time since 2016.
