Southern Miss Falls in Season Opener at South Alabama 31-7

Saturday, September 4

Mobile, Ala.

7 p.m.

Southern Miss

0-1

South Alabama

1-0

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Southern Mississippi

South Alabama

Southern Miss Falls in Season Opener at South Alabama 31-7

9/4/2021 11:48:00 PM | Football

Box Score Game Book

MOBILE, Ala. -- South Alabama scored 31 unanswered points and took advantage of four Southern Miss turnovers to defeat the Golden Eagles 31-7 Saturday night at Whitney Hancock Stadium in the season opener for both teams.

The loss spoiled the debut of Southern Miss coach Will Hall.

Southern Miss jumped out to an early lead in the opening period as they capped a 16-play, 73-yard drive with a one yard Trey Lowe touchdown run. It looked like the Golden Eagles had their drive end at the Jaguar 30 on a fourth-down play, but targeting on South Alabama kept the drive alive leading to the game's first score.

The Jaguars responded with a drive of their own as they took a 68-yard drive on five plays, which was setup on a 48-yard pass from Jake Bentley to Jalen Tolbert to inside the five. Bentley then hit Trent Tyre three plays later on a one-yard throw in the front corner of the end zone to even the score.

After Southern Miss fumbled the ball on the ensuing kickoff, USA took advantage of the miscue. The Jaguars got the benefit of a roughing the passer call during the pivotal drive, helping lead to a five-yard pass from Bentley to Kareem Walker to put them up 14-7.

Following that 14-7 halftime advantage, USA took the opening kickoff of the second half to score on their opening possession of the second half on a Bentley one yard run.

The Jaguars added a Diego Guajardo 48-yard field goal in the third quarter and Davyn Flenord picked off a pass and returned it 48 yards in the final minute to close out the contest.

The Golden Eagles return to action when they open the home portion of their schedule next Saturday, Sept. 11, when they play host to Grambling State in a 6 p.m. contest.