KENT, Ohio — South Alabama built an early lead, survived a second-half Kent State comeback attempt and sealed a 23-13 season-opening victory Saturday on a late 23-yard touchdown run by Jay Jones.
The Jaguars led 16-0 midway through the second quarter before their offense stalled and the Golden Flashes pulled within three early in the fourth quarter. A missed Kent State field goal and South Alabama’s ensuing scoring drive put the game away.
Early Scoring
South Alabama took a 2-0 lead when Kent State quarterback Colin Reardon was called for intentional grounding in the end zone, resulting in a safety. After a strong return of the free kick, the Jaguars started at their own 46 and drove to the Kent State 4 before a penalty pushed them back to the 9.
A Brandon Bridge pass was deflected and appeared to be intercepted in the end zone by Nate Holley, but pass interference was called, giving South Alabama a first down at the 2. Two plays later, Bridge threw a 1-yard touchdown pass to Shavarez Smith for a 9-0 lead.
Approaching the midpoint of the second quarter, Bridge connected with Marvin Shinn on a 58-yard pass down the left sideline to the 1-yard line. Jay Jones scored on the next play for a 16-0 lead.
Kent State answered about a minute and a half before halftime with a 13-play, 69-yard drive capped by Reardon’s 8-yard touchdown pass to Nick Holley. The two-point conversion attempt failed, and South Alabama led 16-6 at the break.
Kent State Rallies
After a scoreless third quarter, Reardon hit Casey Pierce for a 44-yard touchdown on the first play of the fourth quarter to cut the lead to 16-13.
Midway through the period, Kent State’s next drive stalled at the South Alabama 15. Anthony Melchiori’s 32-yard field goal attempt from the left hash missed to the left.
Jones Closes It Out
Aided by an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on the field goal try, South Alabama took over at its own 35 with just over four minutes remaining. Jay Jones carried the offense to a pair of first downs, and on third-and-6 from the Kent State 23, the senior broke a 23-yard touchdown run.
On Kent State’s final possession, Montell Garner intercepted Reardon, allowing Bridge to kneel out the clock.
Statistical Leaders
South Alabama held Kent State to 277 yards on 68 plays. The Jaguars have not allowed an opponent to gain 300 yards in their last four games, dating to the end of the 2013 season.
Davin Hawkins, making his first start, led the defense with nine tackles and two pass breakups. Roman Buchanan, Maleki Harris, Akeem Lewis and Theo Rich each had four tackles. Terrell Brigham broke up three passes and forced a fumble, and Jimmie Gipson III had two tackles for loss and three quarterback hurries.
Jay Jones rushed for 102 yards on 21 carries, his third straight 100-yard game dating to last season. Kendall Houston added 46 yards on 13 carries and Bridge ran for 41 as South Alabama totaled 186 rushing yards.
In his first start at quarterback, Bridge completed 15 of 25 passes for 161 yards and a touchdown. Jereme Jones, Smith and Danny Woodson each caught three passes, and Shinn led the team in receiving yards with 58 on his lone catch.
Punter Brandon McKee set a school record with 10 punts, averaging 42.9 yards, with two downed inside the 20.
Joey Jones Proud of Finish
“This is a big win for us on the road,” South Alabama head coach Joey Jones said. “We came up here last time and didn’t play well, but we came out and really played well early in the game. The thing I am most proud of is we finished the game. In our first game last year we let someone drive and score, and now look at the difference, just that mentality of we’re not going to get beat late in the game. I’m so proud of the defense for stopping them, and proud of the offense for driving down and scoring late in the game.”
“My hat’s off to our players who have really bought in to what we’re doing,” Jones said. “We have some things we can work on, and that’s the thing about football, you always have things you can work on.”
Up Next
South Alabama returns to practice Sunday to prepare for its home opener against Mississippi State at 3 p.m. Saturday at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. The game will be televised nationally on ESPNews.
