MOBILE, Ala. — Freshman Gio Lopez threw for three touchdowns and ran for another, and South Alabama beat Eastern Michigan 59-10 in the 68 Ventures Bowl on Saturday night.
Playing at home at Hancock Whitney Stadium, the Jaguars (7-6) scored on their first three possessions, led 38-3 at halftime and outgained Eastern Michigan (6-7) 627 yards to 150. It was their first bowl victory. For South Alabama, which joined the FBS in 2012 and has lost its previous three bowl games.
“It's a lot of work in a moment like this,” South Alabama coach Ken Wommack said. “It's about more than just our players this season. … We've had a great past, great moments in our present, and our best days are definitely ahead of us and that's really exciting. This is a great moment to build on, and that's exactly what we're doing.”
Lopez split with Desmond Trotter, who started in place of Carter Bailey, due to a knee injury. Lopez completed 14 of 19 passes for 192 yards and 5 touchdowns, 42 yards to Jamaal Pritchett and 20 yards to DJ Thomas Jones, and he ran for 27 yards. He led the team with 88 rushing yards and was named the game's Most Valuable Player.
Trotter threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to Thomas Jones and he ran for a 3-yard touchdown. Pritchett caught eight passes for 127 yards in place of All-Sun Belt receiver Caullin Lacy, who transferred to Louisville.
Two-time 1,000-yard rusher La'Damian Webb (turf toe) also missed the South Alabama game. Sophomore Braylon McReynolds started and totaled 111 scrimmage yards (71 rushing).
South Alabama had the highest point total in program history against an FBS opponent. The Jaguars scored 55 points against both Louisiana-Monroe and Southern Miss earlier this season.
South Alabama's defense held Eastern Michigan 6-for-20 on third-and-4, and didn't allow the Eagles to exceed 100 total yards until the final six minutes. EMU was also playing without its starting quarterback after Austin Smith entered the transfer portal.
Ike Udengwu started at quarterback for the Eagles, but freshman Cam'Ron McCoy ended up playing most of the game. McCoy completed 12 of 27 passes for 73 yards with two interceptions and rushed for 73 yards, including a 10-yard touchdown with 58 seconds left.
“Congratulations to South Alabama, they were definitely the better team tonight, really in every way,” Eastern Michigan coach Chris Creighton said. “This was a battle that started with running the ball and defending the run. We knew they were going to load the box and play a lot of guys. They're 6-0 when they outrebound their opponent and 0-6 when they don't. I think they got us both ways in that regard.”
Away from home at home
South Alabama was the visiting team despite playing at home. The Jaguars wore white jerseys and used the guest room and locker room. Their fans sat on the visiting side.
Being the home team did no good for the green-clad Eagles, who suffered their second loss in Mobile in three years. Eastern Michigan lost 56-20 to Liberty in the same bowl game two years ago, when it was sponsored by LendingTree.
Ready meals
South Alabama: The Jaguars finished with a winning record for the second straight season, the school's first in the FBS era.
Eastern Michigan: The Eagles were unable to compete and finished with a losing record for the first time since the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, when they went 2-4.
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AP College Football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll And https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
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