JONESBORO, Ark. — South Alabama retook the lead with 1:49 left on a third-and-25 touchdown pass, but Arkansas State’s Clune Van Andel kicked a 34-yard field goal with 10 seconds remaining to give the Red Wolves an 18-16 win Saturday.
The Jaguars fell to 2-4 overall and 1-1 in the Sun Belt Conference. Arkansas State improved to 3-2 and 1-0.
South Alabama was penalized 11 times for 100 yards. Quarterback Gio Lopez threw an interception inside the 10-yard line in the second quarter, and the Jaguars were stopped on a fourth-and-2 at the Arkansas State 20.
Field Goals Early
The first half was dominated by defense. The Jaguars’ offense started slowly, while South Alabama’s defense forced Arkansas State to settle for field goals, and the Red Wolves led 6-3 at halftime. Laith Marjan’s 42-yard field goal accounted for South Alabama’s first-half points.
Lead Changes in the Second Half
South Alabama took its first lead with 1:09 left in the third quarter when Lopez connected with Jamaal Pritchett for a 75-yard touchdown, the first touchdown of the game, making it 10-9.
Arkansas State answered with a 10-play, 58-yard drive capped by Jaylen Raynor’s 5-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Little. The two-point try failed, leaving the Red Wolves ahead 15-10 with 5:58 to play.
The Jaguars drove to the Arkansas State 11, but a false start and a holding penalty left them facing third-and-25 from the 26. Lopez rolled out and threw into the end zone, where Pritchett made the catch to put South Alabama back in front. The two-point attempt failed when a pass to Jeremiah Webb fell incomplete, leaving the score 16-15.
Red Wolves’ Final Drive
Arkansas State started at its 23 with 1:45 left and moved toward midfield on three consecutive completions of short and intermediate length. The Red Wolves continued into field goal range, and Van Andel’s 34-yard kick put them ahead with 10 seconds left.
After a 14-yard completion to Devin Voisin, Lopez’s final pass, intended for Pritchett, was broken up at the Arkansas State 27.
Applewhite Laments Missed Chances
“It was a difficult one to lose,” head coach Major Applewhite said. “There were so many opportunities early – turnovers in the red area, tons of penalties on offense – It finally got us and I’m just really disappointed from that standpoint.”
“I’m very proud of our defense, the way they played the entire ball game,” Applewhite said. “I know we gave up the field goal to lose the football game, but they kept us in the ball game, and I’m proud of the way we are improving on that side of the ball.”
Statistics
- Lopez completed 21 of 35 passes for 292 yards and two touchdowns with his first interception of the season. He also ran for 54 yards on 10 carries.
- Pritchett caught seven passes for 137 yards and both touchdowns. Kentrel Bullock had three catches for 41 yards, and Jeremiah Webb had one for 38.
- Bullock led the ground game with 66 yards on 13 carries. Fluff Bothwell ran for 32 yards on nine carries.
- Blayne Myrick had a team-high 13 tackles, eight solo, and three tackles for loss. Courtney McBride Jr. and Tyler Thomas each had a sack.
- Marjan made his only field goal attempt, from 42 yards.
For Arkansas State, Raynor completed 30 of 39 passes for 345 yards and a touchdown. Corey Rucker caught eight passes for 172 yards, and Ja’Quez Cross had six catches for 38 yards and 29 rushing yards on seven carries. Zak Wallace led the Red Wolves with 30 rushing yards on 11 carries. Van Andel made all four of his field goal attempts, from 20, 21, 25 and 34 yards.
Up Next
After three straight road games, South Alabama returns home with a few extra days to prepare for in-state rival Troy in the Battle for the Belt. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15, at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Troy has won the last six meetings.
