JONESBORO, Ark. — Arkansas State quarterback Fredi Knighten threw for 186 yards, ran for 80 more and accounted for three touchdowns as the Red Wolves beat an injury-depleted South Alabama team 45-10 on Saturday.
Knighten entered the game leading the Sun Belt Conference in total offense. South Alabama was without eight starters and was held to a season-low 201 yards of total offense.
Injuries Pile Up
The Jaguars had already lost starting running back Jay Jones in the game against Georgia State. In Jonesboro, they were also without quarterback Brandon Bridge, tight end Wes Saxton, offensive lineman Drew Dearman, linebacker Maleki Harris and cornerback Qudarius Ford. Several other players, including Clay Machen and center Joseph Scelfo, had limited or no practice time during the week.
Late in the first quarter, wide receiver Marvin Shinn suffered a broken leg on a fourth-down pass play into the end zone.
Second-Quarter Surge
The South Alabama defense held Arkansas State in check through the first quarter, but the Red Wolves scored 17 points in the second quarter to take control.
The Jaguars’ offense managed just 22 yards in the first half and had only 35 total yards late in the third quarter before a 50-yard catch-and-run by Terrance Timmons. South Alabama committed four turnovers, three interceptions and a lost fumble, which led to 17 Arkansas State points.
Statistical Leaders
- Matt Floyd, starting in place of Bridge, completed 8 of 20 passes for 86 yards with two interceptions before giving way late to Hunter Vaughn.
- Vaughn went 1 of 5 passing for 4 yards and led the Jaguars with 38 rushing yards.
- Berron Tyson ran for 34 yards, and Xavier Johnson added 28.
- Braedon Bowman, Cameron Broadnax and Shavarez Smith each caught two passes.
- Linebacker Davin Hawkins led all players with 14 tackles.
Jones: ‘Our Kids Will Bounce Back’
“They came out and just played hard,” South Alabama head coach Joey Jones said of Arkansas State. “We had a lot of guys out; it makes a difference even if it shouldn’t have. I just don’t think we played very well, we didn’t run it or throw it well on offense. Defensively, we weren’t our usual self.”
Jones noted that three of the missing starters were on defense, including team captain Harris, and said the defense was on the field too long.
“I think it’s going to come down to us and Texas State for that third bowl game,” Jones said. “I told the kids that we have to put this one behind us. It’s a loss and a bad loss, but we have to do something about next week. We want to go to a bowl, and our kids will bounce back.”
Up Next: Texas State
South Alabama next faces Texas State, which is 5-4 overall and 3-2 in the Sun Belt and also seeking bowl eligibility. The Bobcats are coming off a 28-25 home loss to conference leader Georgia Southern.
