BOWLING GREEN, Ohio — Diego Guajardo kicked a 44-yard field goal as time expired, and South Alabama rallied to beat Bowling Green 22-19 on Saturday.
The Jaguars are 2-0 for the first time since 2011 and for the first time as an FBS program. Bowling Green fell to 0-2.
Terrion Avery ran for 82 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries, including the tying score late in the fourth quarter, and a forced fumble by Shawn Jennings set up the winning kick.
Rough Start
South Alabama’s first possession lost yardage on three straight plays: Jake Bentley was sacked for a 2-yard loss, a pass to Caullin Lacy lost 4 yards and Kareem Walker was stopped for a 2-yard loss. On fourth down, a high snap to punter Jack Brooks gave Bowling Green time to block the punt, which went out of the back of the end zone for a safety and a 2-0 Falcons lead.
With 4:53 left in the first quarter, Bentley threw an interception to linebacker Darren Anders, who had dropped into coverage, and Anders returned it 27 yards for a touchdown. The extra point was missed wide right, making it 8-0.
South Alabama answered with a long drive that reached the Bowling Green 9 at the end of the first quarter. Walker carried to the 4, and the Jaguars settled for a 22-yard Guajardo field goal.
After using its timeouts to force a Bowling Green punt late in the half, South Alabama took over at the Falcons’ 48. Two passes moved the ball to the 16, and Guajardo made a 41-yard field goal with six seconds left in the half to cut the deficit to 8-6.
Back-and-Forth Third Quarter
Bowling Green opened the second half with a 51-yard pass play. A holding penalty wiped out a first down at the South Alabama 5, and the Falcons settled for a 40-yard field goal and an 11-6 lead.
South Alabama responded with a five-play, 75-yard touchdown drive. Bentley completed passes of 15 yards to Jalen Wayne and 42 yards to Jalen Tolbert, and Walker pushed into the end zone three plays later to give the Jaguars their first lead, 12-11, with 10:11 left in the third quarter. A two-point conversion pass was ruled incomplete, and the call stood after review.
Bowling Green needed three plays to go 83 yards for the go-ahead score. After a 47-yard pass and a 3-yard run, Matt McDonald threw a 33-yard touchdown pass to Andrew Bench. The Falcons converted a two-point try for a 19-12 lead with 9:08 left in the third quarter.
Late in the quarter, Bowling Green threatened again, but Jaedyn McKinstry overthrew a double pass, and Keith Gallmon intercepted it in the end zone for a touchback.
Avery, Lacy Lead the Rally
On the tying drive in the fourth quarter, Avery carried seven times and caught a pass. Lacy converted a fourth-and-8 with a catch to the Bowling Green 16. Avery then gained 3 yards before scoring on a 13-yard run to tie the game 19-19.
On Bowling Green’s next possession, facing third-and-11 at its own 24, McDonald completed a pass to Christian Sims, but Jennings punched the ball loose and Quentin Wilfawn recovered at the Falcons’ 33 with 1:21 remaining.
Offensive coordinator Major Applewhite kept the ball on the ground with Avery to set up Guajardo’s game-winning kick.
By the Numbers
- South Alabama gained 371 yards, with 257 passing and 114 rushing, and had 21 first downs.
- The Jaguars converted 7 of 18 third downs and scored on all three red zone trips, with two touchdowns.
- Bowling Green gained 317 yards, 308 of them passing and 9 rushing, with 10 first downs.
- The Falcons were 2 of 12 on third down and scored a field goal on their only red zone trip.
Bentley completed 29 of 46 passes for 257 yards with an interception. Lacy caught eight passes for 63 yards, and Tolbert had a game-high 95 receiving yards on seven catches. Walker added 32 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries.
Yam Banks led South Alabama with six tackles. The Jaguars recorded five tackles for loss and three sacks.
For Bowling Green, McDonald completed 23 of 32 passes for 308 yards and a touchdown. Sims caught eight passes for 76 yards, Tyrone Broden had three catches for 76 yards and Austin Osborne caught seven passes for 38 yards. Terion Stewart led the Falcons with 16 rushing yards.
Up Next
South Alabama hosts Alcorn State on Saturday, Sept. 18, at 7 p.m. at Hancock Whitney Stadium.
