South Alabama lights up 19th ranked San Diego State, 42-24

One of the last undefeated teams in the Mountain West and in the country, San Diego State walked into Mobile this weekend pretty confident as the day began. By the time the day ended, they remembered that even at 2-2, there was a reason the South Alabama Jaguars had taken out the SEC’s Mississippi State back in Week One.

The Aztecs were steady both running and passing, running for 157 and throwing for 159. The Jags, meanwhile, threw for 242 yards behind the arm of Cole Garvin, an average of 11.5 yards per completion. Garvin threw for three touchdowns and Tyreis Thomas and Dami Ayoola ran for another two.

The Aztecs didn’t have much of an answer, throwing to eight different receivers and relying mainly on one RB, Donnel Pumphrey, who ran for 151 of those 157 yards.

It didn’t help that SDSU lost three fumbles and threw one interception, perhaps confused by the uncomfortable Alabama weather, far different than the usual Sunny and 72 degree weather they’re used to.

South Alabama has been nothing short of an enigma this season, beating Mississippi State and now San Diego State, while losing to Georgia Southern and UL-Lafayette. A week ago, they needed overtime to beat FCS Nicholls State, 41-40.

San Diego State hosts UNLV next week, and will be looking to earn back their national ranking, or at least raise it if they manage to stay in the Top 25.

South Alabama has next week off to regroup, before traveling to Arkansas State to take on the Red Wolves. After these first five games, the result may literally be anyone’s guess.