South Alabama destroys Eastern Michigan in the 68 Ventures Bowl

Gio Lopez tossed three touchdown passes and ran for another as South Alabama defeated Eastern Michigan 59-10 in the 68 Ventures Bowl on Saturday night in Mobile, Ala.

Lopez led the Jaguars (7-6) with 192 passing yards and 88 rushing yards. Desmond Trotter scored both through the air and on the ground.

South Alabama’s Jamaal Pritchett caught eight passes for 127 yards and two scores, and DJ Thomas-Jones also received two touchdown passes. For the Eagles (6-7), Cam’Ron McCoy scored on a 10-yard run. Both teams were lacking significant offensive players.

Carter Bradley, the Jaguars’ starting quarterback, did not participate due to a knee injury. La’Damian Webb, the team’s leading rusher, missed out due to a toe injury.

The best wideout Caullin Lacy moved to Louisville. Austin Smith, the No. 1 quarterback at Eastern Michigan, also entered the transfer portal following the regular season. Samson Evans, the team’s leading rusher, was sidelined by an unspecified ailment.

The Jaguars outgained the Eagles 417-27 in the first half, cruising to a 38-3 advantage before halftime. Diego Guajardo kicked a 46-yard field goal on South Alabama’s first drive.

On South Alabama’s second possession, Trotter found Jeremiah Webb for a 49-yard gain. Trotter’s 3-yard touchdown pass to Thomas-Jones was set up by this.

Lopez was subsequently given the opportunity to lead the offensive, and South Alabama scored. Lopez’s 19-yard pass to Braylon McReynolds came before his 5-yard touchdown pass to Pritchett.

Eastern Michigan took the lead with a 49-yard field goal from Jesus Gomez in the first minute of the second quarter. The Jaguars responded with a 17-yard touchdown run by Kentrel Bullock to make the score 24-3.

South Alabama swiftly scored again after an Eastern Michigan fumble. Lopez delivered a 20-yard scoring pass to Thomas+–Jones this time.

The Jaguars scored the game’s final points after another Eagles turnover. Lopez hit Pritchett for a 42-yard touchdown pass. Trotter scored on a 3-yard run early in the second half to put the game out of reach at 45-3. Lopez’s next touchdown came on a 27-yard run.