MOBILE, Ala. – Freshman Gio Lopez threw for three touchdowns and ran for another, and South Alabama trounced Eastern Michigan, 59-10, in the 68 Ventures Bowl on Saturday night.
Playing on their home field 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 the first bowl victory for South Alabama, which joined the FBS in 2012 and had lost three previous bowl games.
Lopez split time with Desmond Trotter, who started in place of the injured Carter Bailey. Lopez completed 14 of 19 passes for 192 yards and touchdowns of 5 and 42 yards to Jamaal Pritchett and 20 yards to DJ Thomas-Jones, and ran for a 27-yard score. He led the team with 88 yards rushing.
Wide receiver Jamaal Pritchett of the South Alabama Jaguars reaches for a touchdown in front of defensive back Cameron Smith of the Eastern Michigan Eagles during the first half of the 68 Ventures Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Alabama, on Saturday, Dec. 23, 2023.
SCOUTING THE GAME: Eastern Michigan vs. South Alabama: Scouting report, prediction for 68 Ventures Bowl
Trotter threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to Thomas-Jones and ran for a 3-yard TD. Pritchett caught eight passes for 127 yards.
South Alabama had the highest scoring 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 to 6-for-20 on third and fourth down, and did not allow the Eagles to surpass 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…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/eastern-michigan-emulsified-south-alabama-040800470.html
Author : Detroit Free Press
Publish date : 2023-12-24 04:08:00
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