BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State scored 45 unanswered points after South Alabama tied the game in the first quarter, beating the Jaguars 52-7 on Saturday.
The Mountaineers gained 517 yards, including 350 on the ground at 7.6 yards per carry. South Alabama finished with 308 total yards and 83 rushing yards.
Early Exchange
Appalachian State scored on its opening possession when quarterback Zac Thomas scrambled 54 yards for a touchdown, capping a six-play, 69-yard drive just 1:49 into the game.
South Alabama’s defense forced a stop on the next series, and the Jaguars answered. Evan Orth completed a 41-yard pass to Kawaan Baker to move into scoring position, and three plays later Baker took a handoff into the end zone for his eighth touchdown of the season, tying the game 7-7.
Onside Kick Backfires
South Alabama head coach Steve Campbell called for an onside kick after the touchdown. Appalachian State recovered, and an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty added 15 yards, giving the Mountaineers the ball at the South Alabama 38. Two plays later, Appalachian State was back in the end zone with the lead.
“I thought we were going to be able to execute the on-side kick, get it and that would give us some momentum,” Campbell said. “They are a good football team though. They took Penn State to overtime and could have won the game, so I knew that we needed to do something. If I could take it back, I would.”
The Mountaineers scored 35 straight points in the first half to lead 42-7 at halftime and added 10 more points in the second half. Backup quarterback Peyton Derrick led a 95-yard touchdown drive to close the scoring.
Statistical Leaders
Orth completed 20 of 33 passes for 225 yards with an interception. Tra Minter led South Alabama’s rushers with 44 yards on nine carries. Baker caught four passes for a team-high 89 yards, and Jamarius Way had seven receptions for 63 yards.
Thomas completed 8 of 18 passes for 146 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions, and he ran for 77 yards and two more scores. Derrick was 2-for-2 for 23 yards and a touchdown. Jalin Moore rushed for 123 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries.
Hennigan led Appalachian State’s receivers with four catches for 65 yards. Corey Sutton caught two passes for 46 yards and a touchdown, and Marc Williams had a 27-yard touchdown reception. The Mountaineers averaged 16.9 yards per completion.
Other Notes
- South Alabama converted 4 of 17 third downs. Appalachian State was 4-of-8.
- The Jaguars were penalized nine times for 91 yards.
- A 28-yard South Alabama field goal attempt was blocked, the third blocked kick, counting extra points and field goals, against the Jaguars this season.
- South Alabama’s leading tackler left the game with a knee injury and was carted to the locker room.
- Bull Barge was injured and was ejected for targeting.
- DJ Daniels was ejected for targeting in the second half and will miss time against Georgia Southern.
Campbell: ‘Our Discipline Is Bad’
“We didn’t play well in any phase of the game and had too many penalties; our discipline is bad,” Campbell said.
He also pointed to the defense’s tackling. “Defensively, we need to work on our tackling. We’re still ducking our heads on some things,” Campbell said.
Up Next
South Alabama plays its third consecutive road game Saturday at Georgia Southern in Statesboro, Ga. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. CDT on ESPN+. Georgia Southern won last season’s meeting in Statesboro 52-0.
