South Alabama Jaguars roll favored Appalachian State, 48-14

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Boone, NC – South Alabama (2-2,1-0)  took a 28-0 lead before the ASU Mountaineers could answer with a score as the first half ended.  After that, the Jaguar defense held the favored home team in check during the Sun Belt Conference opener for both schools.  In the second half, the visiting offense continued to pour it on. Similar to the first half, the Mountaineers scored in the final minute of play as the Jags took the victory, 48-14.

South Alabama QB Gio Lopez runs against ASU mountaineers on first half scoring drive.
South Alabama QB Gio Lopez runs against ASU Mountaineers for a gain on a first half scoring drive.

South Alabama QB Gio Lopez passed for 154 yards and two TDs.  On the ground, he traveled for 105 yards and a TD on seven carries.  RB Fluff Bothwell rambled for 166 yards and two TDs.  The Jaguars outgained the Mountaineers in rushing, 320 yards to 119.  They averaged 7.4 yards per carry.  Guest Game Analyst Al Di Vite noted early on that the South Alabama offensive line just dominated ASU at the line of scrimmage.

South Alabama takes charge from the start

The Jaguars made it look easy.  Following a 50-yard run on USA’s first possession, Lopez tossed a 10-yard scoring pass to DJ Thomas Jones on the sixth play.  The next South Alabama series also finished after six plays over 60 yards with Bothwell’s 22-yard score.  The Jaguars took a 14-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.  At this juncture, Al, our other GGA Sharon Di Vite, and I all agreed that Appalachian State could not tackle.  ASU fans around us were livid at our 689th college game since 1979. 

South Alabama CB Jordan Scruggs on the way to set up another Jaguar ITD on his INT return to Appalachian State four-yard line.
South Alabama CB Jordan Scruggs (far left) on the way to set up another Jaguar TD on his INT return to Appalachian State four-yard line.

In the second period, Appalachian State went to the South Alabama 41 and punted to put USA on their five.  Again, the Mountaineers displayed poor, arm-tackling techniques.  South Alabama drove for 95 yards over seven minutes.  Lopez ran right up the middle for 31 yards to build the Jaguar lead, 21-0.  Appalachian threatened to score on the ensuing drive taking it all the way to South Alabama’s seven.  However, Jaguar CB Jordan Scruggs read Joey Agular’s pass perfectly in the left flat to break on it and race all the way to the Mountaineer four.  A horse collar tackle added two yards more to place it on the Appy two.  From there, RB Kentrel Bullock took it in for a 28-0 pounding.

Appalachian State students started mud-sliding in the end zone SRO areas before halftime. GGA Sharon Di Vite exclaimed, "It's more fun watching that than watching this game!" Astute observation by our first-time GGA.
Appalachian State students started mud-sliding in the end zone SRO areas before halftime. GGA Sharon Di Vite exclaimed, “It’s more fun watching that than watching this game!” Astute observation by our first-time GGA.

Appalachian glimmer of hope… 

At the end of the half, ASU finally mustered a score with a 47-yard desperation pass by Aguilar into the end zone.  WR Dalton Strohman circled back slightly in the end zone to remain over the line for the score to stand, 28-7, going into halftime.

But South Alabama would not yield

Desperate, with the first possession of the second half, Appalachian gave the ball back over on downs on their 47.  Lopez followed through and connected for his second TD pass for 18 yards to Jamaal Pritchett.  The PAT was missed.  Later in the period, Bothwell scored on a dash from 20 yards away for a South Alabama lead, 41-7. 

The South Alabama defense dominated the ASU Mountaineer defense all evening that caused concerns for their fans in attendance.
The South Alabama defense dominated the ASU Mountaineer defense all evening that caused concerns for their fans in attendance.

In the final period of play, Jaguar Iverson Celestine completed a 55-yard drive with his six-yard TD.    The Mountaineers’ Maquel Haywood ran it over from the two with :52 left.  The South Alabama Jaguars routed the Mountaineers (2-2,0-1) at Boone, in surprising fashion, 48-14, to finalize the score.  We thought that Appy would head to the Sun Belt Championship on December 6, but it looks like they’ll have a tougher road ahead than expected.    

Next Up!

South Alabama heads to Baton Rogue to face No. 16 LSU.  Appalachian State remains in Boone to take on Liberty (3-0), favorites to win ConferenceUSA.  It didn’t sound like many ASU fans seemed excited to attend the “white-out” planned for Kidd Brewer Stadium among the 34,133 in attendance last night.

For Collegefootballfan.com, this Saturday we will see Duke (3-0) visit Middle Tennessee (1-2) for a 3 pm kick-off in Murfreesboro.

-ed. by Steve Koreivo  Member of Football Writers association of America

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