MOBILE, Ala. — Tra Minter ran for a touchdown and returned a punt 75 yards for another, the longest punt-return touchdown in school history, as South Alabama football beat Alabama State 45-7 on Saturday night at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.
South Alabama scored touchdowns on four straight possessions in the first half to take a 28-7 halftime lead and outgained the Hornets 396 yards to 219.
The win moved the Jaguars to 2-5 overall. They remain 1-2 in Sun Belt Conference play and are tied for second in the West Division.
Four Straight First-Half Touchdowns
After two empty possessions to open the game, South Alabama put together an eight-play, 82-yard drive, finished by Minter’s 8-yard touchdown run with 4:03 left in the first quarter.
The Jaguars scored touchdowns on each of their next three possessions as well. Kawaan Baker took a jet sweep and beat the Alabama State defense to the corner of the end zone for the second score.
Alabama State’s only points came on one play. Quarterback Kha’Dar Davis threw deep down the far sideline, a South Alabama defender went up for the ball and missed, and Tyrek Allen caught it and ran the rest of the way for a 75-yard touchdown.
South Alabama answered with a six-play, 49-yard drive capped by quarterback Evan Orth’s 19-yard touchdown run. On the following possession, Orth rolled right and found Jordan McCray for a 9-yard touchdown pass and a 28-7 halftime lead.
Minter’s Return Opens Second Half
The South Alabama defense forced a three-and-out to start the second half. Minter fielded the ensuing punt at his own 25-yard line and returned it 75 yards for a touchdown, making it 35-7.
On the next possession, the Jaguars’ drive stalled at the Alabama State 33, and Gavin Patterson made a career-long 50-yard field goal.
Redshirt freshman Cephus Johnson replaced Orth at quarterback at the start of the fourth quarter. On his third play, Johnson threw a 56-yard touchdown pass to Taylor, who was open on a seam route, for the first touchdown pass of Johnson’s career and the final points of the game.
By the Numbers
South Alabama ran for 185 of its 396 yards. Alabama State finished with 85 rushing yards, and the 75-yard touchdown pass accounted for 34 percent of the Hornets’ total offense.
The Jaguars were penalized seven times for 75 yards. Alabama State was flagged 13 times for 83 yards.
Deonta Moore led South Alabama with 65 rushing yards. Minter added 61 yards and a touchdown on a team-high 12 carries.
Orth completed 12 of 15 passes for 155 yards and a touchdown. Johnson was 1-of-2 for 56 yards and a touchdown.
Taylor led the receivers with 56 yards on his touchdown catch. Baker caught two passes for 52 yards, Jamarius Way had a team-high three receptions for 35 yards, and McCray caught two passes for 12 yards and a touchdown.
Records and Milestones
- Minter’s 75-yard return is the longest punt-return touchdown in school history and South Alabama’s first punt-return touchdown since Jereme Jones’ 54-yard return against Pikeville in 2010.
- Minter’s 231 all-purpose yards rank fourth in program history. He is only the second player in program history with 200 or more all-purpose yards in a game.
- Patterson’s 50-yard field goal is the third field goal of 50 or more yards in school history.
- Darian Mills reached 20 career pass breakups, becoming the second player in program history to reach that mark.
- South Alabama converted a season-high eight of 12 third-down attempts.
Campbell: ‘A Total Team Victory’
“It was a really good win, I’m really proud of the way the guys responded. Tonight was a total team victory,” head coach Steve Campbell said. “Offensively, I thought we did a lot of good things and we protected the football. We were able to sustain drives with one of them being a 13-play drive. Defensively, we played really, really well. We gave up one play, but other than that our defense played lights out.”
Campbell also pointed to special teams. “We returned a punt for a touchdown, we forced a couple of errant punts, we hit a 50-yard field goal and we covered kicks well, so there were a lot of good things special teams wise,” he said. “All three phases contributed and I can see a lot of progress. It was good to be back in Mobile.”
Up Next: Battle for the Belt
South Alabama hosts Troy on Tuesday, Oct. 23, in the Battle for the Belt. The game will be televised on ESPN2.
