HATTIESBURG, Miss. — South Alabama scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter and recovered a late onside kick to beat Southern Miss 27-20 on Saturday, earning a program-record ninth win.
The Jaguars (9-2, 6-1 Sun Belt) finished the road portion of their schedule 5-1, with the only loss a 32-31 decision on the final play at UCLA. South Alabama is now 3-0 all-time against Southern Miss (5-6, 3-4).
Quarterback Carter Bradley threw three touchdown passes, and true freshman Braylon McReynolds ran for 100 yards on 15 carries, his first 100-yard game.
Golden Eagles Take Early Lead
McReynolds broke a 64-yard run on the second snap of the game, but the drive stalled and Diego Guajardo kicked a short field goal for a 3-0 lead.
After a defensive three-and-out and a 16-yard punt return, Bradley threw an interception to a defender in the middle of the field. Southern Miss used the short field, and Frank Gore Jr. ran untouched off left tackle for a touchdown and a 7-3 lead.
A failed fake punt gave the Golden Eagles the ball at the South Alabama 36. The Jaguars’ defense held at the 5, and Southern Miss kicked a field goal for a 10-3 lead about midway through the second quarter.
Wayne Ties It, Trotter Leads Field Goal Drive
South Alabama answered with 29-yard gains by McReynolds and Devin Voisin, and Bradley hit Jalen Wayne on a crossing route at the back of the end zone to tie the game 10-10.
Bradley injured his left shoulder on the play and went to the locker room early for treatment. Desmond Trotter came in for the final possession of the half and moved the Jaguars into range for a 49-yard Guajardo field goal, giving South Alabama a 13-10 halftime lead.
Trick Play, Then a Fourth-Quarter Response
After an exchange of punts in the third quarter, Southern Miss went back ahead on a broken play. With quarterback Trey Lowe and Gore both shifting toward the sideline, the snap went behind Gore, who picked it up and threw deep to an open receiver in the end zone for a 29-yard touchdown with 1:09 left in the quarter.
Bradley returned and South Alabama scored twice in the fourth quarter, with Voisin catching a touchdown pass and Caullin Lacy scoring on a 33-yard touch pass. The second of those touchdowns came with 1:53 remaining.
Southern Miss kicked a field goal with 13 seconds left to pull within 27-20. Voisin got his body in front of the onside kick but did not field it cleanly, and as two Southern Miss players dove for the loose ball, it was knocked into his chest and he covered it to seal the win.
Statistics
South Alabama outgained Southern Miss 411-298, including 257-196 through the air and 154-102 on the ground. The Jaguars converted 5 of 13 third downs and 2 of 4 fourth downs. Southern Miss held the ball for 31:14 to South Alabama’s 28:46.
- Bradley completed 15 of 22 passes for 238 yards and three touchdowns with two interceptions. Trotter was 2 of 4 for 19 yards.
- Voisin caught six passes for 97 yards and a touchdown. Wayne had four catches for 33 yards and a touchdown, McReynolds had three for 66 and Lacy had one for 33 and a touchdown.
- Marco Lee added 25 rushing yards on six carries, converting several short-yardage first downs.
For Southern Miss, Lowe completed 18 of 33 passes for 167 yards with an interception, and Gore completed his only pass for a 29-yard touchdown. Jason Brownlee caught seven passes for 109 yards and a touchdown, and Latreal Jones had three catches for 26 yards.
Injuries and Up Next
Several South Alabama players were banged up, though none were held out after being hurt. Wayne struck the wall with his right knee on his touchdown catch and jogged off favoring it. Several defensive backs were also shaken up. Running back La’Damian Webb traveled with the team and came out for warmups but changed into street clothes before the game.
South Alabama closes the regular season at home against Old Dominion at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 26, at Hancock Whitney Stadium, seeking its first 10-win season as a Football Bowl Subdivision program.
