The South Alabama Jaguars played their hearts out but suffered a devastating 45-42 loss to the Texas State Bobcats in the final moments of an electrifying game. The Jaguars clawed back from an early deficit, their offense firing on all cylinders behind 404 total yards, including a staggering 248 on the ground. Quarterback Gio Lopez and the Jaguars showed incredible resilience, tying the game in the fourth quarter after trailing most of the way.
But as time ticked down, the Bobcats, orchestrated a drive that culminated in a soul-crushing field goal as the clock hit zero. The Jaguars’ defense, which had battled valiantly, couldn’t hold off Texas State’s last push. Despite forcing three turnovers, South Alabama’s four costly giveaways—including four interceptions—proved to be the difference in a game that could’ve gone either way.
For the Jaguars, it was a loss filled with heartbreak but also a testament to their relentless spirit. With their playoff hopes dimming, South Alabama will need to rally together and find strength in what has been a season full of lessons and grit.
This game was a tale of two halves. The Texas State Bobcats came out on fire; offensively, defensively, and on special teams, in the first half of play, as all 3 aspects of the game scored TDs in the first 14 minutes of play, 2 on offense, 2 on defense, and 1 on special teams. The Bobcats could do no wrong during this time.
Then the 2nd half began, and what once looked like a dominating performance in the 1st half, looked like a Pop Warner football program in the 2nd. The Bobcats relinquished a 34-14 lead going into halftime and trailed 34-42 with under a minute to play. South Alabama not only held Texas State out of the endzone during the 2nd half, but with 1 minute left in the game, had held the Bobcats to zero 2nd-half 1st downs. The stiff Jaguars defense kept Ismail Mahdi in check all game. Jordan McCloud took over during the final minute of the game to lead a quick drive to get them in the endzone as well as converting the 2pt conversation to tie the game with under 30 seconds to play.
South Alabama did not want to take the game into overtime without attempting to get into FG range. The Bobcat defense took advantage of this opportunity as they intercepted an errant pass with 20 seconds to play, eventually setting up a game-winning 37-yard FG by Mason Shipley who split the uprights.
"You have to take the victories where you can get them," Coach RanDawg states. "We will enjoy this season-ending victory. We will also watch the film and work on how to put together 2 complete halves of football moving forward."
GG Meros
Scoring Summary
1st Qtr
TXST - Langston Anderson 80yd punt return (missed PAT) - 6:15
TXST - Chris Mills 35yd INT return (Mason Shipley kick) - 5:23
USA - Jamaal Pritchett 30yd pass from Gio Lopez (Laith Marjan kick) - 4:25
2nd Qtr
TXST - Torrance Burgess Jr 9yd run (Mason Shipley kick) - 6:56
USA - Kentrel Bullock 45yd run (Laith Marjan kick) - 1:55
TXST - Ismail Mahdi 82yd pass from Jordan McCloud (Mason Shipley kick) - 1:34
TXST - Kenny Haynes 61yd INT return (Mason Shipley kick) - 0:23
3rd Qtr
USA - Kentrel Bullock 18yd run (Laith Marjan kick) - 4:25
USA - Kentrel Bullock 23yd run (Laith Marjan kick) - 3:04
4th Qtr
USA - Kentrel Bullock 3yd run (Laith Marjan kick) - 3:57
USA - Kentrel Bullock 19yd run (Laith Marjan kick) - 1:12
TXST - Konner Fox 21yd pass from Jordan McCloud (2-pt conversion) = 0:39
TXST - Mason Shipley 37yd FG - 0:00
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