https://youtu.be/HDRGIIIHFGg
“Weird game. I can’t really explain it.”
That’s what South Alabama Quarterback Carter Bradley said after throwing three touchdowns in the Jaguars 38-14 win over Louisiana Tech Saturday night.
Thing is, he’s right, it was a “weird game”.
LA Tech turned the ball over five times last night, including on four straight possessions. At first the Jaguars could not take advantage. Not scoring any points after the first three turnovers.
South Alabama led at 17-7 half and I’m thinking, “They better not mess around, or they could lose a game they should absolutely win”.
Any thoughts of a Bulldogs comeback went out the window on their first possession of the 2nd Half. Jaguars linebacker James Miller providing the pressure on LA Tech QB Parker McNeil, forcing a throw off his back foot, and floating a pass that was intercepted and returned for a touchdown by Yam Banks. His second interception of the night.
The Bulldogs fumbled on their next possession, also recovered by Banks, who was responsible for three turnovers on the night. Eventually Bradley faded a throw to the far corner of the end zone to Caullin Lacy and a 24-yard touchdown pass.
A 17-7 lead at half, was now 31-7 South Alabama, less than 4 minutes into the 2nd half and the Jaguars victory was basically secured.
Nonetheless, there were still a few issues, that as Bradley said, made it a “weird game”. South Alabama didn’t convert the LA Tech 1st Half turnovers into points, 14 penalties for 131 yards, including a targeting call on defensive lineman Brock Higdon that may have him out for the 1st Half of the Ragin’ Cajuns game this coming Saturday.
Despite those issues, the outcome was really never in doubt from the Opening Kickoff. Braylon McReynolds returned the kick for a touchdown but it was called back due to a penalty. It took the Jaguars just over 2 minutes to get on the board, a 3-yard scoring pass from Bradley to his TE Lincoln Sefcik.
After the Jaguars defense forced a 3 and out, Lacy returned the punt for 57 yards and a touchdown for a 14-0 South Alabama lead.
The point being, South Alabama didn’t play nearly as well as they can. Covert a couple of those 1st Half turnovers in touchdowns or field goals and they may have hit 50 on the scoreboard. As it is, the Jaguars are averaging over 38 points a game, good for 3rd in the Sun Belt.
Speaking of the Sun Belt, the so called ‘pre-season’ is over for the Jaguars. On what may turn into a changing of the guard game, South Alabama travels to Lafayette to take on the defending Sun Belt Champions, the 2-2 Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns. The Cajuns have lost their last two games, including 21-17 to Monroe on Saturday.