MOBILE, Ala. – Led by a big game from
Quentin Wilfawn and an interception by
Jaden Voisin, the South Alabama defense turned in a strong performance to help the Jaguars defeat Arkansas State, 21-14, Saturday night at Hancock Whitney Stadium.
The victory improved South Alabama's record to .500 on the year at 5-5, with an identical .500 mark in Sun Belt Conference play at 3-3.
"Very proud of our team's ability to respond," said Head Coach
Kane Wommack. "We've been talking about doing hard things in hard times and tonight was that for us. The last couple of games here it's been very hard. We've had to grind for everything that we've gotten this season, and we've earned wins and losses, but I'm very proud of our guys. I'm proud of our defense because we've talked about being responsive and being the aggressor, and I thought we stayed in the backfield all night."
Wilfawn did a little of everything for the Jaguars with nine total tackles, two for loss, 1.5 sacks, one pass breakup and four quarterback hurries. His efforts, combined with a key interception by Voisin inside South's 10-yard line in the third quarter, helped South keep the Red Wolves' offense at bay for the night.
Jamie Sheriff and
Trey Kiser also had strong defensive performances on the night as Sheriff recorded two tackles for loss, one of which was a sack, and Kiser pitched in 1.5 tackles for loss and a sack of his own. In total, the Jags stopped Arkansas State behind the line of scrimmage 11 times for the game while holding them to just 116 yards rushing on 3.2 yards per attempt. The constant pressure by South's front seven and tight coverage by the secondary also held the Red Wolves to a 54 percent completion rate in the passing game.
Offensively, USA rode the legs of running back
La'Damian Webb who carried the ball 28 times for 163 yards and a touchdown. Of those 163 yards, 73 came on South's second drive of the game when he ripped off a 60-yard run to get the Jaguars into the Arkansas State red zone. Webb then finished off the drive with a touchdown rush from 13 yard out.
South Alabama's passing game was limited, but efficient, as quarterback
Carter Bradley completed 19-of-25 pass attempts for 145 yards and two touchdowns. Wide receiver
Jamaal Pritchett caught just three of those 19 completions, but two of them went for touchdowns. Bradley found Pritchett in the front corner of the end zone right before half time from 20 yards out, and then again in the third quarter in the back corner of the end zone on a 24-yard touchdown strike.
Pritchett's third-quarter touchdown gave USA a 15-point lead, but Arkansas State would pull within seven when they scored a touchdown on a 46-yard pass of their own on their last drive of the game. The Red Wolves appeared to have the Jaguars stopped when they forced a fourth down with minutes remaining, but an Arkansas State player was assessed a running into the kicker penalty on the punt, which gave South the ball back with a fresh set of downs. Webb then rushed for a first down and the Red Wolves could not stop the clock as Bradley took a knee to melt the clock and secure the win for the Jaguars.
UP NEXT
The Jags will now prepare for their final home game of 2023 when they welcome Marshall to Hancock Whitney Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 18. Kickoff against the Thundering Herd will take place at 4 p.m. CT and the game will be broadcast on ESPN+. South Alabama will honor its seniors prior to the start of the game.
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