MOBILE, Ala. — Aleem Sunanon kicked a 42-yard field goal on the final play Saturday to give the Red team a 24-21 victory over the Blue team in the South Alabama spring game, the annual Red-Blue scrimmage that closes the Jaguars’ spring practice.
Players on the Blue sideline moved out toward the numbers and shouted in an attempt to distract Sunanon, but the kick was good.
Game-Winning Drive
Quarterback Dallas Davis led the decisive drive after the Red team took over at its own 28-yard line with 1:35 remaining. Davis opened the series with completions of 17 yards to D.J. Vinson and 19 yards to Daylan Abrams, and Kenterrius Gray followed with two carries for 11 yards. The Red team covered 47 yards in six plays to set up Sunanon’s kick.
The Blue team had a chance to go ahead with under two minutes to play, but Corliss Waitman’s 45-yard field goal attempt sailed wide right.
Fast Start
The teams combined for three touchdowns in the first quarter and three more the rest of the way.
Hunter Vaughn put the Blue team on the board on the opening possession with a 33-yard touchdown run. The Red team answered as a 30-yard gain by Claude Garrett started a drive that ended with a 35-yard touchdown pass from Davis to Nathan Sassaman, tying the game 7-7. Vaughn then threw a 16-yard touchdown pass to Ronnie Reed to put the Blue team back in front 14-7.
Davis tied the game with less than 11 minutes left before halftime on a 48-yard touchdown pass to Tyrone Williams.
Defensively, Kelan James recovered a fumble and Roman Buchanan made a diving interception for the Red team. Margo Reed intercepted a pass at the 1-yard line for the Blue team.
Jones Pleased With Spring
“I thought it was a real good day, although I’m excited about how the whole spring went,” head coach Joey Jones said. “[Offensive coordinator] Bryant [Vincent] has done a good job coming in with his tempo, that really has helped us offensively, and then we have playmakers who can make people miss which makes it even better. There were some good hits out there today, you kind of like seeing that, but we got through the game and nobody was hurt.”
Spring Awards
The program also announced its spring awards. Players recognized as the most improved at their positions were:
- Daniel Aust, offensive line
- Caleb Butler, defensive line
- James Bynes, tight end
- Antonio Carter, safety
- Dallas Davis, quarterback
- Demarius Rancifer, linebacker
- Margo Reed, cornerback
- Tyreis Thomas, running back
- Corliss Waitman, special teams
- Tyrone Williams, wide receiver
Nigel Green was named the most improved player academically. Cameron Blankenship, Cameron Broadnax and E.J. May were honored for the most improvement in the strength and conditioning program.
The “I Like To Practice” awards went to Tre Alford on defense, Malcolm Buggs and Grant Powell on special teams, and Joseph Scelfo on offense. Brad Murry on defense and Christian Pearsall on offense received the program’s High Academic Awards.
Season Opener
South Alabama opens the 2015 season Saturday, Sept. 5, against Gardner-Webb at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. The Jaguars compete in the Sun Belt Conference.
