Underdog Dynasty - Recapping Week Two's Saturday Football ActionAn unofficial The American, Conference USA, Sun Belt, and Independent football bloghttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52546/ud_favicon.png2014-09-08T11:50:20-04:00http://www.underdogdynasty.com/rss/stream/58791182014-09-08T11:50:20-04:002014-09-08T11:50:20-04:00Week Two Conference USA Power Rankings
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<figcaption>Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>It was a wild Week Two in Conference USA, with a few near-upsets highlighting the action. While moral victories were abound, there isn't much movement in the Conference USA Power Rankings, as voted on by Conference USA reporters and bloggers from around the nation.</p> <p>Marshall remains the top dog in Conference USA after another steady-as-she-goes victory this weekend.</p>
<p>UTSA, on the strength of its near upset of Arizona at the Alamodome Thursday (what were you thinking with that shovel pass, Tucker?!) remains at No. 2 in the poll, but captured a few more first-place votes, despite the loss.</p>
<p>WKU's disastrous second-half at Illinois took the Hilltoppers out of contention for the top spot, but they held strong at No. 3.</p>
<p>Louisiana Tech made the biggest jump of the week, using their seasoning of the Cajuns to move up four spots.</p>
<p>FAU and Southern Miss earned last-place votes, but FIU remains firmly entrenched in the C-USA basement, even after a win over FCS-Wagner.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><b style="line-height: 9px;">1. Marshall (2-0, 85 percent first-place votes)</b></p>
<p><span>Last week: Win vs. Rhode Island 48-7</span></p>
<p><span>Next week: vs. Ohio (Saturday, Noon, CBSSN)</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span><b>2. UTSA (1-1, 14 percent fist-place votes)</b></span></p>
<p><span>Last week: Loss vs. Arizona 26-23</span></p>
<p><span>Next week: @ Oklahoma State (Saturday, 7 p.m., FSN)</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span><b>3. WKU (1-1)</b></span></p>
<p><span>Last week: Loss @ Illinois 42-34</span></p>
<p><span>Next week: @ MTSU (Saturday, 7 p.m., Local Broadcast)</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span><b>4. North Texas (1-1)</b></span></p>
<p><span>Last week: Win vs. SMU 43-6</span></p>
<p><span>Next week: vs. LaTech (Saturday, 8 p.m., CBSSN)</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span><b>5. Louisiana Tech (1-1)</b></span></p>
<p><span>Last week: Loss @ Louisiana 48-20</span></p>
<p><span>Next week: @ North Texas (Saturday, 8 p.m., CBSSN)</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span><b>6. MTSU (1-1)</b></span></p>
<p><span>Last week: Loss vs. Minnesota 35-24</span></p>
<p><span>Next week: @ WKU (Saturday, 7 p.m., Local Broadcast)</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span><b>7. Rice (0-1)</b></span></p>
<p><span>Last week: Bye, <i>W1: Loss @ Notre Dame 48-17</i></span></p>
<p><span>Next week: @ Texas A&M (Saturday, 9 p.m., ESPN2)</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span><b>8. UTEP (1-1)</b></span></p>
<p><span>Last week: Loss vs. Texas Tech 30-26</span></p>
<p><span>Next week: vs. New Mexico State (Saturday, 8 p.m., ASN)</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span><b>9. UAB (1-1)</b></span></p>
<p><span>Last week: Loss @ Mississippi State 47-34</span></p>
<p><span>Next week: vs. Alabama A&M (Saturday, 3:30 p.m., ASN)</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span><b>10. Old Dominion (1-1)</b></span></p>
<p><span>Last week: Loss @ NC State 46-34</span></p>
<p><span>Next week: vs. Eastern Michigan (Saturday, 6 p.m., COX)</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span><b>11. FAU (0-2, one last-place vote)</b></span></p>
<p><span>Last week: Loss @ Alabama 41-0</span></p>
<p><span>Next week: vs. Tulsa (Saturday, 7 p.m., FCS)</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span><b>12. Southern Miss (1-1, one last-place vote)</b></span></p>
<p><span>Last week: Win vs. Alcorn State 26-20</span></p>
<p><span>Next week: @ Alabama (Saturday, 6 p.m., ESPN2)</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span><b>13. FIU (1-1, 78 percent of last-place votes)</b></span></p>
<p><span>Last week: Win vs. Wagner 34-12</span></p>
<p><span>Next week: vs. Pitt (Saturday, Noon, FS1)</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><i><b>If you're a C-USA reporter or blogger and would like to vote in the Power Rankings, reach on Twitter (@dkurtenbach). </b></i></p>
https://www.underdogdynasty.com/2014/9/8/6121749/week-two-conference-usa-power-rankingsdkurtenbach2014-09-07T01:34:14-04:002014-09-07T01:34:14-04:00Tigers Put A Scare Into UCLA
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<p>In a complete surprise, the Tigers played a borderline Top 10 team and were in it the whole way.</p> <p>I was absolutely, without a doubt, certain that Memphis' 63-0 demolishing of Austin Peay meant absolutely nothing in the big picture. So much so, that I thought "well, they're playing UCLA this weekend. 11th ranked UCLA at that. Glad I can just ignore that game."</p>
<p>Wow, was I wrong.</p>
<p>Which is unfortunate, because I was so sure that a game which was close at the half wouldn't remain that way that I turned the second half into a tequila drinking game. Each time Memphis ran a stupid running play, I did a shot. By the fourth quarter, I was loopy enough to start stumbling through this recap.</p>
<p>Here is an absolutely ridiculous set of stats to start the game: <span>Paxton Lynch</span> finished the first half 17-for-21 for 234 yards and a touchdown. Not only is that impressive, but it is made even more so by the fact that this marked the first time in <i style="font-weight: bold;">five years</i> that Memphis had a quarterback pass for 200+ yards <i><b>in a full game. </b></i></p>
<p>Memphis' offense was clicking in that first half, to the tune of a 28-21 deficit against the <i>11th ranked team in the country, on the road</i>. That is a huge accomplishment, especially considering what Memphis football has done in recent years.</p>
<p>They hadn't done much in the second half, and the defense was doing it's best but they still trailed 35-21 heading into the fourth quarter. Then Doroland Dorceus broke off a 40-yard touchdown right up the gut of the UCLA defense and it was a one-score deficit. Then two plays later <span>Fritz Etienne</span> nabbed himself a pick-six and the game was suddenly <i>tied</i> at 35-35 with 13:44 to play.</p>
<p>UCLA snagged themselves a score and then forced Memphis into a three-and-out. But wait! Memphis went to punt and UCLA was called for an illegal hands to the face penalty that gave Memphis a fresh set of downs. Memphis wasn't able to turn it into points, but the game remained close.</p>
<p>Obviously the downside here is that, as my need to pay attention to the game increased, my ability to do so gradually decreased. But soldier in I did, watching the tense final five minutes through the haze of... five or six shots, I don't know.</p>
<p>As much as UCLA tried to put away Memphis, they couldn't, as stupid penalties kept giving Memphis life. The penalty on the punt. A pass inteference penalty on third and very long. Again, no matter what else happened in this game, Memphis took possession of the ball, <i style="font-weight: bold;">on the road against the nation's #11 team</i>, with 45 seconds left and a chance to tie the game with a touchdown.</p>
<p>That said, Memphis unraveled on that last drive. When you have 45 seconds and no timeouts to score, plays that do not reach the sideline are not your friend. A missed tackle is one thing, but deliberately dumping down to a receiver who has no hope of reaching a first down or the sideline is futility, so the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/teams/memphis-tigers">Tigers</a> wind up in a 42-35 losing effort.</p>
<p>Paxton Lynch finished the game with 305 passing yards, which was the seventh best by a Memphis quarterback in the last six seasons. I'm not entirely sure yet whether this game says more about Memphis being underrated or UCLA being overrated, but it damn sure means that Cincinnati and the rest of The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/teams/american">American</a> had better stop assuming that they'll beat Memphis and prepare themselves for a slugfest.</p>
https://www.underdogdynasty.com/2014/9/7/6116527/memphis-tigers-vs-ucla-bruins-final-score-are-the-tigers-for-realgeeves2014-09-07T01:14:29-04:002014-09-07T01:14:29-04:00Last Second Score Snags Win For Aggies
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<figcaption>David Manning-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Panthers started hot, but mistakes in the second half lead to their defeat. </p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/teams/georgia-state-panthers">Georgia State Panthers</a> jumped out 17-0 on the <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/teams/new-mexico-st-aggies">New Mexico State Aggies</a>, but he Aggies fought back with the help of several Panther turnovers, scoring a go-ahead touchdown with 15 seconds remaining to win 34-31.</p>
<p>The comeback started with a 41 yard field goal by Maxwell Johnson, and then the next Panther drive turned into seven more New Mexico State points when a <span>Nick Arbuckle</span> pass was intercepted by <span>Rodney Butler</span> and returned 40 yards for a touchdown. The left the score 17-10 in favor of Georgia State.</p>
<p>The teams would trade long touchdowns in the third quarter; the Panthers snagged their points on a 54-yard run by <span>Krysten Hammon</span>, while the Aggies score came on a pass from <span>Tyler Rogers</span> to <span>Teldrick Morgan</span>. The Aggies then took their first lead at 27-24 when they scored the first 10 points of the 4th quarter.</p>
<p>Georgia State answered with a touchdown run by Nick Arbuckle on a 4th and 1 play from two yards out, but the Georgia State defense was unable to prevent New Mexico State from driving 87 yards for the final score of the day.</p>
<p>New Mexico would hold on to win 34-31 and start the season 2-0. The Aggies will play the UTEP Miners next week. The Panthers fall to 1-1 and will play their third straight home game when they host Air Force next week.</p>
https://www.underdogdynasty.com/sun-belt-conference/2014/9/7/6115017/new-mexico-state-aggies-beat-the-georgia-state-panthers-34-31jokastrength2014-09-06T23:09:20-04:002014-09-06T23:09:20-04:00La Tech Crushes Cajuns, 48-20
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<figcaption>Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>This game was an absolute slaughter and the exact opposite of what anyone expected.</p> <p>Well. That wasn't quite what we expected. UL came into this game a 12.5 point favorite, and don't let the final score fool you, This was an absolute slaughter.</p>
<p>Things started off slowly enough, with both Tech and the Cajuns trading blows in the rushing game. After stalling on a drive ten minutes in, UL's Daniel Cordona ripped off an incredible punt, pinning the Bulldogs on their own one-yard line. Then this happened.</p>
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<p>The longest run in Tech and Cajun Field history was just the start of the Bulldog onslaught. The Cajuns would answer on the next drive, going 80 tough yards to even the score on a six-yard Alonzo Harris carry. That would be the only score for UL until under ten minutes left in the game.</p>
<p>The Bulldogs would put up another ten points before the half, but the turning point in the game came on the second play of the third quarter, when Tech QB Cody Sokol realized that the Cajuns don't have much of a secondary. Sterling Griffin picked up 78 of his 88 total receiving yards, and his only touchdown of the night on the play.</p>
<p>From there, Sokol and his receivers picked apart the Cajun defensive backs, and subsequently opened thing up even more for their already potent rushing attack.</p>
<p>It was clear that the Bulldogs came into this one with something to prove. Despite a 34-point lead at one point, Tech didn't pull any punches, or players. Sokol and company finished the night running the same offense and speed they began with. They clearly felt disrespected, and wanted to prove what the pecking order is in the state of Louisiana.</p>
<p>The Cajuns finished with a pair of vanity touchdowns, but they also closed the game without star performers Jamal Robinson and Elijah McGuire. Both sustained apparent leg injuries. UL will have to have them back, and fix more than a few issues before they get into Sun Belt play if they want to remain the favorites to win the conference.</p>
<p>Louisiana Tech is pretty good, UL has a lot of issues, and we're once again reminded that we know nothing about these teams until they line up. College football is both amazing and terrifying that way.</p>
https://www.underdogdynasty.com/conference-usa/2014/9/6/6116151/louisiana-tech-vs-ul-lafayette-recap-the-one-nobody-saw-coming-48-20Matt Monte2014-09-06T22:39:16-04:002014-09-06T22:39:16-04:00Pirates Kicked In The Booty By South Carolina
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<figcaption>Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>It started off nicely enough, but Steve Spurrier's squad slowly but surely bled the life out of ECU en route to a record-balancing victory.</p> <p>I had high hopes for this game, what with East Carolina's offense looking like the stud unit that it was projected to be, and South Carolina getting absolutely waxed by Texas A&M. Well, it turns out that ECU's offense is on a completely different level than "Kenny Trill"'s squad.</p>
<p>I think the fourth quarter serves as a nice microcosm for this game. When the quarter started, the Pirates trailed by two scores and were facing a third and eight at the South Carolina 44. Three minutes and seven plays later, Shane Carden had his first touchdown pass to cut the deficit in half.</p>
<p>The Pirates offense would not touch the ball again for almost <i style="font-weight: bold;">eleven minutes</i>.</p>
<p>The Gamecocks rattled off an 18-play, 86-yard drive during which they not only ran the ball on nine consecutive plays, but ran the ball <i>from the exact same formation</i> nine consecutive times, and gained positive yards on all but the first carry.</p>
<p>It was close-but-not-quite all night for ECU, as their opening drive started at their own three yard line and stalled out inside the South Carolina 10 with an eventual field goal. They repeated the process with a 35-yard field goal on the next drive. Those two drives - where an additional 26 yards of offense would have put them up 14-0 instead of 6-0, would come back to haunt them as they visibly wore down against a more physical Gamecock team over time. Another missed field goal in the second quarter, and a game that could have been 27-20 at the half was 20-16 USC instead.</p>
<p>It got even worse in the second half, as a pressure-weary Shane Carden launched a pass falling backwards off his back foot while rolling out (a bad time to let loos a throw) to end their first second-half drive with an interception. He then tossed another over the middle on their next drive, and it looked to be all but over.</p>
<p>That early fourth quarter touchdown put a glimmer of hope back into ECU's plan, but the epic Gamecock "run the ball down your throat" drive against a visibly gassed Pirate defense silenced that very quickly.</p>
<p>The good news for East Carolina is that South Carolina is a sizeable margin better than every team they'll play in conference. The bad news is, they don't start conference play until after two more games against Virginia Tech and North Carolina, and if they play like they did today they could be reeling in a few weeks.</p>
https://www.underdogdynasty.com/2014/9/6/6116163/east-carolina-vs-south-carolina-final-score-pirates-just-cant-stickgeeves2014-09-06T22:01:33-04:002014-09-06T22:01:33-04:00Georgia Southern Rushes For 599 Yards
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<figcaption>Todd Bennett</figcaption>
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<p>This is one train wreck I just couldn't stop watching.</p> <p>Normally we don't spend a lot of time recapping or giving coverage to those games that we know are likely to be lopsided, and we knew coming in that the odds were decent. Georgia Southern is good enough that they almost defeated North Carolina State on the road last weekend, and Savannah State is bad even by FCS standards.</p>
<p>However, whenever things are <i style="font-weight: bold;">this</i> lopsided, you can't help but take notice. Georgia Southern's triple option is definitely a well-oiled machine, and they showed it repeatedly today. They racked up a total of 599 rushing yards on "only" 53 carries, and the game was never in question from the first time the Eagles touched the ball. Let me throw some more numbers your way:</p>
<p>Two plays into the second quarter, the Eagles had already surpassed the 200 yard mark on offense, with 21 points to show for it. Savannah State did not accrue 200 yards of offense until the fourth quarter.</p>
<p>Even including their garbage time scoring drives, Savannah State had a total of <b><i>three drives</i></b> that did not end in a turnover or a punt. Georgia Southern scored on every possession and had <i style="font-weight: bold;">five plays</i> of 35+ yards</p>
<p>I don't think I really need to belabor the point, there are lopsided statistics across the board no matter where you look in a 83-9 walloping. We'll get to see what they're really made of when the face a team next week that sees the triple option on a daily basis in practice, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fromtherumbleseat.com/">Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets</a>. Stay tuned for a more in-depth break down a little later down the road.</p>
https://www.underdogdynasty.com/2014/9/6/6116063/georgia-southern-vs-savannah-state-eagles-obliterate-via-the-triplegeeves2014-09-06T20:26:40-04:002014-09-06T20:26:40-04:00Middle Tennessee's strong 2nd half not enough
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<figcaption>Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>A huge second quarter from the Golden Gophers put this one out of reach early. The Raiders were much more impressive in the second half making it feel like they might have been just a few plays away from stunning the home crowd. </p> <p>Two straight <span>Austin Grammer</span> interceptions and a 28-0 Golden Gopher lead had Middle Tennessee fans talking about next week in the second quarter of today's game on the road at Minnesota.</p>
<p>MT began to fight their way back into the game but the deficit was too much as the Blue Raiders fell 35-24 at Minnesota.</p>
<p>It was only a handful of questionable decisions and a few bad plays but it was enough to be down four possessions at halftime.</p>
<p>Let's take a closer look at a few of those plays.</p>
<h4>15:00 2nd MTSU 2nd and 14</h4>
<p><i>Right at the start of the second quarter, Austin Grammer threw his first interception of the season. The Golden Gophers' Jaylen Myrick came up with the pick and took it 31 yards into the end zone. </i></p>
<p>In the next possession, some of that confidence we had in MT's starting quarterback began to fade as Grammer threw his second interception of the day on the following possession. It only took the Golden Gophers one play to make that hurt. <span>Mitch Leidner</span> found <span>Maxx Williams</span>, wide open in the end zone to make the score 21-0 Minnesota.</p>
<h5><span>4:29 2nd Quarter MTSU 4th and 5 from Minnesota 31.</span></h5>
<p><i>When you're looking for moral victories in a game you have no business winning, you take the points. Stockstill and company looked at it as an opportunity to get back into the game. I loved the decision.It's FBS vs FBS. Try to get seven and cut the lead to 14. However, <b>the play call couldn't have been worse</b>. A handoff right up the middle, where <span>Jordan Parker</span> could only pick up 2 yards. </i></p>
<p><i></i><i>I'm a full believer in the sports edition of the butterfly effect, so who knows if it would have mattered but had MTSU taken the field goal (and made the field goal early in the 4th quarter) those points could have proved to be big later in the game. However, again, under these circumstances, I agree with the decision. </i></p>
<p><b>Heading into the locker room down 28-0 </b>Rick Stockstill and Middle Tennessee either made appropriate adjustments or Minnesota became disinterested and a little lackadaisical.</p>
<p>On a 2nd and 19, a hole opened up for Jordan Parker and he took it 39 yards into Golden Gopher territory. On the next play from scrimmage, <span>Reggie Whatley</span> took it the remaining 44 yards for the first Middle Tennessee score of the game. Whatley led the rushing attack with 84 yards and 2 touchdowns.</p>
<p>On the ensuing Blue Raider possession, Grammer found his groove. First completing a 27 yard pass to <span>Ed'Marques Batties</span>, then going 39 yards down the far sideline to Henry.</p>
<p>Setting up the play that, you could say, took away any chance Middle Tennessee had at a comeback.</p>
<h4><span>3rd Quarter 3rd and goal from the six</span></h4>
<p><i>Grammer lofted a beautiful ball to the top right corner of the end zone, where <span>Terry Pettis</span> hauled in the catch while despite being hit by Minnesota's Craig James. Pettis appeared to have come up with the play of the game but the call was overturned.</i></p>
<p><span>Take a look.</span></p>
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<p><span>I didn't expect the call to be confirmed but I was stunned to see it didn't stand.</span>Pass interference was called but MT was forced into kicking a field goal.</p>
<p><span></span>The teams traded touchdowns to close out the 3rd quarter. A 48 yard run from Cobb put Minnesota up 35-10.For Middle Tennesee it was a blocked punt, followed immediately by a Whatley 12 yard touchdown carry.</p>
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<p style="text-align: center;"><i>Nice to see several Blue Raider faithful made the trip and stayed after halftime. </i></p>
<h4>4th Quarter Middle Tennessee Ball 2nd and 8</h4>
<p>The Blue Raiders would fall victim to a play under review once again. Another incredible catch, this time by Batties. The transfer tipped the ball into the air and at first glance appeared to have hauled it in before going out of bounds.</p>
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<p>This was originally called incomplete and the ruling on the field would stand.</p>
<p>What I don't understand is, how was there enough evidence to overturn the touchdown but not enough to overturn that play, where it appears obvious the left leg touches the green first?</p>
<p>I must be seeing it wrong and that might be the reason I am not an official reviewer for the NCAA.</p>
<p>The drive would continue thanks to a 10-yard scamper from Grammer but it would result in a 41-yard missed FG.</p>
<p>MTSU would tack on seven more points on Grammer's only touchdown of the day, when he found <span>Marcus Henry</span> for three yards to give us our final score.</p>
<p>The sophomore quarterback threw for 255 yards 1 TD and 3 interceptions. I think we can all agree that despite throwing three passes to the wrong team, Grammer looked pretty good again today. Of course we would like to see that completion percentage be a little better but for his first road game as a starter....I'd say he did just fine.</p>
<p>We'll go more in-depth into this game later on in the week and get you ready for the Blackout at Floyd Stadium when the Toppers come to town!</p>
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https://www.underdogdynasty.com/2014/9/6/6115057/middle-tennessee-minnesota-game-recapmkysports12014-09-06T19:26:07-04:002014-09-06T19:26:07-04:00South Alabama Holds Off Kent State 23-13
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<figcaption>Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>South Alabama opens their 2014 season with a 23-13 road win over Kent State. </p> <p></p>
<p>South Alabama did what they needed to win. It wasn't pretty at times, but they return to Mobile, Alabama with a 23-13 win over Kent State.</p>
<p>"This is a big win for us on the road," head coach <span>Joey Jones</span> stated. "We came up here last time and didn't play well, but we came out and really played well early in the game. The thing I am most proud of is we finished the game. In our first game last year we let someone drive and score, and now look at the difference - just that mentality of we're not going to get beat late in the game. I'm so proud of the defense for stopping them, and proud of the offense for driving down and scoring late in the game."</p>
<p>The first score came at the expense of the Golden Flashes' quarterback, who was flagged for intentional grounding in the end zone resulting in a safety with 7:58 left in the first quarter. After the free kick to the Jaguars, USA methodically drove the ball down the field. <span>Brandon Bridge</span> was helped by a pass interference in the end zone negating an interception and giving USA a first and goal at the two yard line. Bridge would connect with <span>Shavarez Smith</span> for the one yard touchdown to extend their lead to 9-0 with 2:46 left in the opening quarter.</p>
<p><span>Jay Jones</span> would get the first of two touchdowns with 8:01 left in the second quarter after Bridge connected with <span>Marvin Shinn</span> for a 58 yard gain to the Kent State one yard line. That would be the last points by the Jaguars until late in the fourth quarter.</p>
<p>Kent State's offense started to figure out the Jaguar defense late in the first half as they pieced together a touchdown drive of 13 plays covering 69 yards taking 6:20 off the clock. However the swinging gate 2-point attempt failed leaving the Golden Flashes trailing 16-6, which would be the halftime score.</p>
<p>USA struggled the entire second half. The offense struggled to move the ball and the defense struggled to stop the Kent State offense. Defensively USA would bend but not break, but each time the offense could not sustain a drive to rest the defense. The Flashes would finally hit a big play to start the fourth quarter when quarterback <span>Colin Reardon</span> found <span>Casey Pierce</span> open for a 44-yard touchdown pass to cut the Jaguar lead to three points, 16-13.</p>
<p>After a three-and-out by the Jaguar offense, Kent State continued to move the ball on their next possession. The Jaguar defense stopped the Flashes at the 15 yard line and forced a field goal attempt, but the 32 yard attempt from the left hashmark would curve left giving the Jaguars a sigh of relief with 8:00 left in the game.</p>
<p>With an unsportsmanlike penalty after the kick, USA would take possession at their own 35 yard line instead of the 20 yard line. Those 15 yards would be big as the Jaguar offense went three-and-out again but flipped field position with a punt to the Kent State 10 yard line.</p>
<p>The Jag defense, refreshed by the missed field goal on the last Kent State possession, forced a three-and-out of their own. A poor punt would set them up at their own 46 yard line with 4:04 left in the game and a chance to ice it.</p>
<p>South Alabama came up big when needed, something they struggled with last season. With a steady dose of <span>Jay Jones</span>, the Jags got first down after first down. Facing 3<sup>rd</sup> and 6, Jay Jones would take another handoff around the left side, breaking a couple of tackles and would not stop until he was in the end zone to seal the game with a 23-13 lead with 1:12 left in the game.</p>
<p><span>Montell Garner</span> would close the door on any chance of a comeback with an interception of Reardon with just over a minute left.</p>
<p>Brandon Bridge, in his first start, completed 15-of-25 for 161 yards and a touchdown. Danny Woodson caught three passes for 26 yards, Smith also caught three for 18 yards and a touchdown. Shinn led the Jags with 58 yards received on his one catch. Jay Jones led the rushing attack with 102 yards on 21 carries. <span>Kendall Houston</span> added 46 yards on 13 carries. Bridge gained 41 yards on 13 carries.</p>
<p><span>Davin Hawkins</span> led the Jaguar defense with nine tackles and a sack. Jimmie Gipson also had a sack, his only tackle for the game. Garner's interception was the only turnover of the game.</p>
<p>Colin Reardon completed 17-of-40 attempts for 213 yards and two touchdowns. Pierce led all receivers with four catches for 80 yards and a touchdown. <span>Nate Holley</span> rushed 14 times for 47 yards as Kent State's leading rusher again in the absence of <span>Trayion Durham</span>.</p>
<p>This is the first season-opening win in the last three seasons and it's just in time as the Jaguars host Mississippi State next Saturday at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. The Bulldogs struggled in the first half against UAB, but a 21 point third quarter put them in front for good. I'm sure Jaguar head coach Joey Jones will call his friend and former defensive coordinator now UAB head coach Bill Clark for information about the Bulldogs.</p>
<p>The only thing that could make the game next weekend any bigger would be if ESPN Gameday announced they would be broadcasting from Mobile on Saturday morning. While it may be a long shot, it's not outside the realm of possibility. The Gameday crew went to FCS North Dakota State last year and Bleacher Report picked USA to host Gameday on September 13 back in July when they were trying to predict every ESPN Gameday location for the 2014 season.</p>
<p>Wherever Gameday lands next weekend, South Alabama coaches, players, and fans are all hyped to host an SEC team at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.</p>
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https://www.underdogdynasty.com/2014/9/6/6115603/south-alabama-holds-off-kent-state-23-13Brian O. Wright