University of South Alabama Athletics

JONESBORO, Ark. – South Alabama (4-2, 2-0 SBC) beat Arkansas State (2-4, 0-2 SBC) 56-49 at Centennial Bank Stadium on Thursday night to move to 2-0 in Sun Belt play. Keenan Phillips scampered for 284 all-purpose yards and scored four touchdowns as the Jags ran out the final 6:51 to secure the victory. 

South Alabama's point total was the most by the program in a Sun Belt contest and the 50-plus points marked the second-straight game the Jaguars reached that mark. It was the third time in program history and the first since the 2022 season. 
 

Key Moments

• After a six-minute drive, PJ Martin punched in a 6-yard touchdown run to give the Jags an early lead. South Alabama has scored on five of its six opening drives this season. 

• Keenan Phillips answered an Arkansas State score with a 100-yard touchdown return, which was the first by a Jag since Xavier Johnson in 2016. That put South Alabama ahead 14-7 late in the first quarter. 

• Arkansas State scored a pair of unanswered touchdowns to regain a 21-14 lead with 6:16 left in the opening half. South Alabama, though, scored 21 unanswered points of its own in just over three minutes. 

• The first was a 3-yard rush by Phillips and then Jared Hollins scored back-to-back 3-yard touchdown rushes. The first was set up by an Arkansas State fumble that was forced by Macey Lewis and recovered by Stephen Johnson. Lewis then picked off Trey Owens on the next drive to set up Hollins' second score. 

• Arkansas State cut the score to 34-28 at the half after a quick answer via a 20-yard touchdown pass with 32 seconds left on the clock. 

• Phillips and Rod Gibbs scored the first two touchdowns of the second half, which put South Alabama ahead 48-29 late in the third quarter. Phillips then added his fourth touchdown of the night on a 42-yard rush that cut into a bit of Arkansas State momentum. 

• Arkansas State scored twice in the final 12 minutes to make it a one-score game, but a six-minute drive by the Jags and a late first down killed any comeback attempt the Red Wolves were trying to make. South Alabama's final drive lasted 6:51 38 yards on 13 plays. 

Key Stats

• South Alabama's point total was the most by the program in a Sun Belt contest and the 50-plus points marked the second-straight game the Jaguars reached that mark. It was the third time in program history and the first since the 2022 season.

• The Jags were out gained 356 yards to 516 yards recorded by the Red Wolves. 

• Keenan Phillips rushed for a career-high 157 yards on 19 carries, averaging nearly 8.3 yards per carry with three rushing touchdowns. He accounted for four touchdowns on the night, including a 100 yard kick return touchdown, tying for the most total touchdowns scored since La'Damien Webb's four against Southern Miss on Oct. 17, 2023.

• Quarterback Jared Hollins rushed for a career-high two touchdowns at the end of the first half to go along with a passing touchdown and a two point conversion. 

• South Alabama rushed for a season-high six touchdowns and now have three-plus rushing scores in four games this season. It's tied for the second-most in a game in program history and the most since rushing for six scores against Southern Miss on Nov. 22, 2025.

• Damyrion Darby picked up the third interception of his career in the third quarter when he returned a pick for 58 yards. It was the third of the season and second interception in as many games after also having one against ULM. 

• The Jags rushed for 280 yards, giving them 200-plus yards in four games this season and a new season high. They've rushed for at least 200-plus yards in back-to-back games after rushing for 249 against ULM. 

• South Alabama forced three turnovers, which is tied for the second-most this season and most since forcing for against Kentucky in week four. 

Notables 

• South Alabama is now 7-8 against Arkansas State and 3-5 in Jonesboro. It was the first win by the Jags against the Red Wolves since the 2023 season. 

• The Jaguars scored a season-high 34 points in the first half, including 20 in the second quarter. The Jags set the previous season high last weekend against ULM, scoring 24 points in the first half.

• The Jags are off to their best start in Sun Belt play since the 2022 season. They started 2-0 that year before losing in the third game.

• The 56 points are the most by South Alabama in a Sun Belt game. The previous most was 55 in back-to-back games against Southern Miss and ULM 2023. It's also the first time the Jags have scored 50-plus in back-to-back games since that same stretch and the third time in program history – the third was in the 2009 season.

• The Jags  two sacks are the second-most by South Alabama this season and the most since posting two sacks against Kentucky. 

• Phillips' 100-yard touchdown return is tied for the longest in program history and ties 100-yard returns by Xavier Johnson (Idaho, 11/7/15) and J.J. Keels (Mississippi Valley State, 11/3/11)

Up Next

South Alabama's next outing is Oct. 20 at Marshall. The Tuesday night clash in Huntington, W.V., is slated for 6:30 p.m. CT on ESPN 2.