MOBILE, Ala. – South Alabama Football could not hold on to an 11-point lead in the fourth quarter as Arkansas State hit a field goal as time expired to defeat the Jaguars, 15-14, Tuesday night at Hancock Whitney Stadium.
KEY MOMENTS
- Kentrel Bullock scored the game's opening points on a nine-yard touchdown run in the first quarter to give the Jaguars a 7-0 lead. Bullock's score capped a nine-play, 75-yard touchdown drive.
- With the Red Wolves threatening to score midway through the third quarter, South Alabama forced Arkansas State to settle for a field goal attempt on the USA 10-yard line. Ed Smith IV blocked the kick to preserve South's 7-3 lead.
- After a punt by Aleksi Pulkkinen that pinned Arkansas State at its own 11-yard line, Nehemiah Chandler intercepted a deep ball on the first play of the ensuing drive to get the ball back to the offense.
- Coming off the Chandler interception, the Jaguars capitalized when PJ Martin scored on a 27-yard touchdown run to put South ahead 14-3. The score capped a five-play, 58-yard drive.
- Arkansas State scored 12 unanswered points in the fourth quarter, including a walk-off field goal to win the game 15-14.
KEY STATS
- Arkansas State outgained South in yardage by a tally of 368-293 on the night.
- The Jaguars committed 14 penalties on the night for a total of 115 yards.
- The Red Wolves ran 77 total plays on offense compared to just 59 for the Jags.
NOTABLE
- Bullock's rushing touchdown in the first quarter was his sixth of the season and the 17th of his career.
- Smith's field goal block was the first time the Jags blocked a field goal since 2022 against Georgia Southern.
- The blocked field goal was also the first stop South Alabama's defense recorded in the red zone this season.
- Chandler's interception was his second in as many weeks after picking off a pass against Troy.
- Blayne Myrick recorded the seventh, double-digit tackle game of his career with 13 total takedowns.
QUOTABLE
"We didn't capitalize. We had a couple stops, but did not capitalize and separate to a two-possession game. We had an opportunity up two to go down there, but there was a penalty with the official. I was out of the box and asked him what we were looking at. That was a flag, so I earned that one. We had a chance to make it at least a touchdown game, we just don't execute and leave it a two-point game just like the kids last week. They were good enough and talented enough to go score."
-Head Coach
Major Applewhite
UP NEXT
South Alabama will play another weeknight, nationally-televised game when it travels to Atlanta to take on Georgia State on Thursday, Oct. 23. The Jaguars and Panthers will kick at 6:30 p.m. CT on ESPN2.
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