MOBILE, Ala. — South Alabama opened its second season of football with a 56-0 victory over Pikeville, as the Jaguars’ defense held the visitors to 88 yards of total offense before a crowd of 22,376 at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.
The win extended the success of a program that went unbeaten in its inaugural 2009 season under head coach Joey Jones. South Alabama piled up 462 yards of total offense, split between 242 rushing yards and 220 passing yards, while the defense recorded a shutout.
Slow Start, Big Second Quarter
The Jaguars did not score until roughly 3:30 remained in the first quarter. The key play on the opening touchdown drive was a 53-yard completion from quarterback Myles Gibbon to Bryant Lavender, and South Alabama took a 7-0 lead.
The offense found its rhythm in the second quarter. True freshman quarterback C.J. Bennett directed a nine-play, 63-yard drive, completing his first pass attempt to Corey Waldon for a 20-yard gain that put the ball inside the Pikeville 5-yard line. Brandon Ross finished the drive with a 3-yard touchdown run to make it 14-0.
On Pikeville’s next possession, Bryson James intercepted a pass and returned it 22 yards for a touchdown. The extra point attempt failed, leaving South Alabama ahead 20-0.
Gibbon returned later in the quarter to lead a nine-play, 83-yard scoring drive. He opened the possession with a 27-yard run for a first down, then connected with Waldon for 35 yards on third-and-10 to keep the drive alive. Gibbon capped it with a 6-yard touchdown pass to Courtney Smith with about a minute left before halftime, and the Jaguars went to the locker room leading 27-0.
Second-Half Scoring
The South Alabama offense was quiet early in the second half until Michel Chapuseaux kicked a 22-yard field goal. The Jaguars then added three fourth-quarter touchdowns.
Ellis Hill broke through the middle of the defense for a 56-yard touchdown run that gave South Alabama a 43-0 lead. About two minutes later, Jereme Jones returned a punt 54 yards for another touchdown.
Johnny Lockett closed the scoring with a touchdown with about 5:30 remaining, finishing a six-play, 47-yard drive led by transfer quarterback Ray Cotton.
By the Numbers
South Alabama averaged more than six yards per carry, with 12 players contributing to the 242 rushing yards. Hill gained 55 yards on two carries, and Gibbon, Cotton, Santuan McGee, Kendall Houston, T.J. Glover and Ryan Scott each finished with between 26 and 33 rushing yards.
Gibbon completed 7 of 8 passes for 112 yards and a touchdown. Bennett was 4 of 6 for 93 yards.
- Final: South Alabama 56, Pikeville 0
- Total offense: South Alabama 462, Pikeville 88
- Attendance: 22,376
Defensive Leaders
Ken Barefield and Enrique Williams shared the team lead with six tackles apiece. Bryson James and Jarred Williams each added four tackles and 1.5 sacks to share the team lead in sacks. James’ interception return for a touchdown was the only takeaway through the air.
The Jaguars’ placekicking was inconsistent, with several kicks missed during the game, including the failed extra point after James’ touchdown.
Up Next
South Alabama has an open date next weekend before hosting Nicholls State at Ladd-Peebles Stadium on Sept. 18 at 4 p.m. The game has been designated a white-out, with fans encouraged to wear white.
