STILLWATER, Okla. — La’Damian Webb rushed for 151 yards and two touchdowns, Carter Bradley threw two touchdown passes to Caullin Lacy, and South Alabama beat Oklahoma State 33-7 on Saturday at Boone Pickens Stadium.
The win was South Alabama’s second over a Power Five opponent and its most decisive. The Jaguars’ previous Power Five victory was a 21-20 win at Mississippi State in Starkville. Both teams are now 2-1.
Jaguars Build 23-0 Halftime Lead
South Alabama controlled the first half, with Bradley connecting with Lacy for two touchdowns, including a 57-yarder with just over a minute left before halftime. The Jaguars took a 23-0 lead into the locker room.
Oklahoma State’s offense showed signs of life late in the third quarter and scored its only touchdown with 12:14 remaining in the game, a run by Jaden Nixon.
After a South Alabama three-and-out, Jack Martin’s punt was muffed by Oklahoma State and recovered by Travis Drosos at the Cowboys’ 24-yard line. The takeaway led to a field goal and a 26-7 lead.
Facing fourth-and-12 with about eight minutes left, Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy sent out the punt team. On the second play of the ensuing possession, Webb broke a 65-yard touchdown run up the middle on his final carry of the game for the final points.
Wommack: Playing to Our Capability
“I thought our guys are starting to play to the level we’re capable of,” South Alabama head coach Kane Wommack said. “We really haven’t played well the first two weeks, particularly in the first half. We were able to establish the run early, which gave us some one-on-one shots. We liked some matchups against a couple of their DBs, and we were able to get those matchups early. I think the nice thing is we knew we were very capable of coming in here and executing at a high level and physically putting a team away.”
By the Numbers
South Alabama totaled 395 yards, 243 rushing and 152 passing. The Jaguars converted 6 of 14 third downs, held the ball for 34:35, committed no turnovers and were penalized eight times for 40 yards.
Bradley completed 10 of 16 passes for 152 yards and two touchdowns. Desmond Trotter entered late but did not attempt a pass.
Webb averaged 8.4 yards per carry on 18 attempts. Kentrel Bullock ran 18 times for 71 yards, and Marco Lee had 30 yards on six carries.
Lacy led all receivers with five catches for 104 yards and two touchdowns. Lincoln Sefcik caught three passes for 21 yards, and Javon Ivory had a 17-yard reception.
Diego Guajardo made field goals of 39 and 42 yards. Martin averaged 43.8 yards on five punts, with a long of 53 and three downed inside the 20.
Oklahoma State was held to 208 total yards, 114 passing and 94 rushing. The Cowboys converted 4 of 15 third downs, held the ball for 25:20 and were penalized seven times for 64 yards.
Alan Bowman started at quarterback for Oklahoma State and completed 6 of 12 passes for 42 yards with an interception. Gunnar Gundy was 9 of 18 for 64 yards, and Garret Rangel was 1 of 5 for 8 yards. Jaden Bray caught five passes for 42 yards, Josiah Johnson had two for 25, and Ollie Gordon had two for 13.
Elijah Collins led the Cowboys with 31 rushing yards on nine carries, Gunnar Gundy added 27 on 10 carries, and Nixon had 23 yards and the touchdown on five carries. Punter Wes Pahl averaged 43 yards on eight punts.
Injury Report
Before the game, South Alabama learned that wide receiver Devin Voisin tore his ACL against Southeastern Louisiana and will miss the rest of the season. Keith Gallmon tore his right pectoral muscle and will also miss the remainder of 2023; he missed all of 2022 after tearing the opposite pectoral.
Braylon McReynolds broke his collarbone against Tulane and had surgery. He is expected to miss most or all of the regular season, though Wommack left open the possibility of a return late in the season or in the postseason.
Jordan Davis started at left tackle in place of Josh McCulloch, who injured his knee in practice. McCulloch’s injury is not considered season-ending.
Up Next
South Alabama returns home to close its non-conference schedule against Central Michigan in its homecoming game. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. at Hancock Whitney Stadium, with the game streaming on ESPN+.
