JONESBORO, Ark. — Jalen Tolbert caught 10 passes for a school-record 252 yards and three touchdowns, and Jeremiah Littles sacked Layne Hatcher on the final play as South Alabama beat Arkansas State 38-31 for its first win in Jonesboro.
The victory was South Alabama’s first in seven trips to Jonesboro and its first Sun Belt Conference road win since beating Troy in 2017. It also ended a four-game losing streak. The Jaguars improved to 4-6 overall and 3-4 in the Sun Belt.
Arkansas State fell to 3-7 and 1-6, losing its fifth straight game and clinching its first losing season since 2010.
Back-and-Forth First Half
Arkansas State scored on its opening possession after forcing a South Alabama punt. The Jaguars tied the game with 35 seconds left in the first quarter on a 2-yard touchdown run by quarterback Desmond Trotter and took a 14-7 lead in the second quarter when Trotter threw a 26-yard touchdown pass to Kawaan Baker.
The Red Wolves tied it late in the half on Logan Bonner’s 25-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Bowling. After a five-play South Alabama possession that used only 38 seconds, Arkansas State drove to the Jaguars’ 18 and kicked a 35-yard field goal with 2 seconds left for a 17-14 halftime lead.
McGee Steps In
Arkansas State opened the second half with a nine-play, 75-yard touchdown drive to lead 24-14 with 9:55 left in the third quarter. Trotter answered with a 42-yard touchdown pass to Tolbert that made it 24-21.
Trotter later left the game with an injury, and redshirt freshman Tanner McGee replaced him. McGee put South Alabama ahead 28-24 with a 37-yard touchdown pass to Tolbert.
Bonner threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to Jonathan Adams with 12:03 remaining to put Arkansas State back on top 31-28. McGee and Tolbert connected again on a 51-yard touchdown with 4:56 left for a 35-31 lead.
Final Stand
Arkansas State turned the ball over on downs at its own 31, and South Alabama added a 30-yard field goal for a 38-31 lead with 1:28 remaining.
Hatcher led the Red Wolves to the South Alabama 6 after an apparent interception by Keith Gallmon was overturned on review. With 16 seconds left, Hatcher threw two incomplete passes before Littles sacked him at the 13 as time expired.
By the Numbers
South Alabama gained 486 yards, 387 passing and 99 rushing, and converted 5 of 15 third downs. Arkansas State finished with 494 yards, 324 passing and 170 rushing, and was also 5 of 15 on third down.
- Tolbert’s 252 receiving yards set a South Alabama single-game record.
- Trotter completed 16 of 22 passes for 242 yards and two touchdowns before his injury.
- McGee went 6 of 8 for 145 yards and two touchdowns.
- Baker caught five passes for 51 yards and a touchdown before leaving with an injury.
- Carlos Davis ran 12 times for 31 yards. Caullin Lacy had 26 yards on four carries, and Jared Wilson had 26 yards on 13 carries.
For Arkansas State, Bonner completed 11 of 16 passes for 183 yards and four touchdowns, and Hatcher was 8 of 14 for 141 yards. Adams caught nine passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns, Jeff Foreman had five catches for 111 yards, and Bowling caught four passes for 64 yards and two touchdowns. Jamal Jones led all rushers with 93 yards on 19 carries, and Marcel Murray added 38 yards on 13 carries.
Up Next: Troy
South Alabama returns to Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile to close the season against Troy in the Battle for the Belt on Senior Day. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. on ESPN3.
