MOBILE, Ala. — Texas State scored 14 points in the fourth quarter, the last on a 60-yard interception return, to beat South Alabama 45-38 at Hancock Whitney Stadium in the regular-season finale for both teams.
The loss ended South Alabama’s chances at the Sun Belt Conference West Division title and clinched the division for Louisiana-Lafayette. South Alabama finished the regular season 6-6 overall and 5-3 in conference play. Texas State improved to 7-5 and 5-3.
The Jaguars committed three turnovers, all by quarterback Gio Lopez, and were penalized eight times.
High-Scoring First Half
Texas State received the opening kickoff and scored on a 9-yard run by quarterback Jordan McCloud. South Alabama needed five plays to answer, as Fluff Bothwell broke several tackles on a 51-yard touchdown run.
The Jaguars went ahead when Blayne Myrick intercepted McCloud and returned it 33 yards for a touchdown. Texas State tied the game with an eight-play, 75-yard drive that ended with Brad Jackson’s 9-yard touchdown run, then took the lead in the second quarter on another eight-play drive covering 60 yards, finished by Ismail Mahdi’s 33-yard touchdown run.
Lopez tied the game at 21 with a 17-yard touchdown pass to Jamaal Pritchett with just under four minutes left in the half. After a South Alabama defensive stop and a short punt gave the Jaguars the ball at the Texas State 25, Lopez ran to the left corner for a touchdown two plays later and a 28-21 lead.
Texas State reached the South Alabama 14 in the final seconds of the half, but after a 4-yard completion over the middle with 12 seconds left, the Bobcats could not get another play off before halftime.
Turnovers Swing the Second Half
South Alabama forced a three-and-out to open the third quarter and took over at midfield after a short punt. Lopez, rolling to his left, was intercepted on a throw downfield, and Texas State drove 65 yards to tie the game at 28.
On the Jaguars’ next possession, Lopez lost a fumble while being sacked. Texas State converted the turnover into a 32-yard field goal for a 31-28 lead.
South Alabama answered in three plays. Two completions set up a 29-yard touchdown run by Bothwell, and the Jaguars led 35-31 entering the fourth quarter.
Texas State went back in front with a 12-play, 90-yard drive capped by an 18-yard touchdown pass to Joey Hobert with 11:39 remaining. On South Alabama’s next drive, Lopez was hit as he threw, and the deflected pass was intercepted and returned 60 yards for a touchdown and a 45-35 Texas State lead. Lopez left the game after the play with an apparent injury to his throwing arm.
Backup Bishop Davenport led the Jaguars on a scoring drive, converting a fourth-and-9 with a pass to Pritchett, who made the catch with his arms fully extended. The drive stalled short of the end zone, and head coach Major Applewhite elected to kick a field goal and try an onside kick. Texas State recovered the onside kick and ran out the clock.
Applewhite: ‘Too Many Explosive Plays’
“It’s just disappointing,” Applewhite said. “There were some spots in the game where I thought we played really well situationally on defense, some third downs, some red-area opportunities. But by and large, just too many explosive plays, too much time of possession.”
“Offensively, same thing,” he said. “I thought we played well at times, but you can’t win many games with (three) turnovers. I mean, those are obvious statements, obvious reasons for the loss. But proud of the way our guys continued to play.”
Statistical Leaders
- Lopez completed 16 of 23 passes for 190 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions, and ran seven times for 29 yards.
- Davenport went 5 of 7 for 40 yards and ran four times for 19 yards.
- Pritchett caught 10 passes for 85 yards and a touchdown.
- DJ Thomas-Jones had five catches for 59 yards, and Jeremiah Webb added three for 53.
- Bothwell ran for 81 yards and two touchdowns on six carries. Kentrel Bullock had 18 yards on 10 carries.
- Jaden Voisin led the defense with 14 tackles and had an interception.
- Courtney McBride Jr. recorded the Jaguars’ only sack.
Bowl Selection Ahead
Despite the loss, South Alabama expects to learn its bowl destination and opponent by Dec. 8.
“I’m proud of our team, proud of the way we’re fighting,” Applewhite said. “But there’s obviously plenty of stuff for us to go back and focus on through bowl practice to get prepared.”
