South Alabama football extended its winning streak to 18 games Thursday night with a 20-10 victory over West Alabama in the 2011 season opener, despite committing four turnovers in the first half.
The Jaguars remain unbeaten in program history, having not lost a game since beginning play in 2009. South Alabama went 7-0 in its inaugural 2009 season and 10-0 in 2010 before Thursday’s win.
Turnovers Mark First Half
Three of South Alabama’s four first-half turnovers were interceptions thrown by quarterback C.J. Bennett. Bennett threw two interceptions during all of last season.
The South Alabama defense kept West Alabama from turning the takeaways into enough points to swing the game, and the Jaguars held the Tigers to 10 points.
Jones: ‘Not Through Rose-Colored Glasses’
Head coach Joey Jones said one aspect of the uneven performance he liked is that it will help keep the team honest.
“We do have to look at ourselves honestly and not through rose-colored glasses,” Jones said.
Road Trips Ahead
South Alabama has two weeks before the first of back-to-back road games against Football Bowl Subdivision opponents NC State and Kent State.
About West Alabama
West Alabama, a Division II program from Livingston, Ala., that competes in the Gulf South Conference, entered the season under a new head coach. The Tigers went 7-4 in 2010, and none of their losses came by more than four points.
