Louisiana Tech Halts South Alabama Offense to Win 35-20
The Jags outgained the Bulldogs in total yards but failed to convert in the second half, dropping to 4-4 on the season.
By Grace Sullivan ·
South Alabama lost to Louisiana Tech 35-20 on Saturday in Mobile, Alabama, after scoring only six points in the second half. The result drops the Jags to 4-4 on the season and 2-2 in Sun Belt Conference play.
The Jags controlled the clock early, holding the ball for nearly 11 minutes in the first quarter. Quarterback Jared Hollins threw touchdown passes to Anthony Eager to cap both drives. The defense allowed a 67-yard screen pass that moved Louisiana Tech to the 5-yard line, and the Bulldogs scored shortly after to lead 14-7.
Louisiana Tech extended its lead in the second quarter, outscoring South Alabama 21-6. The Bulldogs capitalized on a penalty that granted them a first down on a fourth down attempt. They held a 28-20 lead at the break.
Linebacker Xavious Anderson noted that the team did not feel pushed around but gave the lead away. "You really feel it knowing that they didn’t really push us around. We just kind of gave it to them," Anderson said.
The second half saw Louisiana Tech capitalize on a South Alabama fumble late in the third quarter. The Bulldogs scored to open a 15-point gap. South Alabama punted three times and turned the ball over on downs twice in the half. Head coach Major Applewhite said he needed to adjust better to Louisiana Tech's changes. "In the second half I felt like we came out offensively and moved the ball but got down towards plus territory and didn’t convert," Applewhite said.
The loss leaves South Alabama in a five-way tie for second place in the West with four games remaining. Hollins emphasized the need for urgency moving forward. "You’ve got to flush it, and we’ve done a good job of that so far, but we’ve got to get to work and come back with a higher sense of urgency," Hollins said.
South Alabama travels to Louisiana next week.
