South Alabama Jaguars defeats Troy Trojans 24-18
South Alabama Jaguars defeat Troy Trojans 24-18
Both the Jaguars and the Troy Trojans began Sun Belt conference play with a rivalry game between the two with a brand new trophy on the line called the “Battle of the Belt” award. Once again the South Alabama Jaguars came into a tough competitive football game as a underdog and they leave Veterans Memorial Stadium in Troy as victors with a 24-18 score. The inaugural “Battle for the Belt” will go down as a classic and exciting game where South Alabama’s defense was the anchor for their team against Troy quarterback Brandon Silvers and the Trojans.
The Jaguars accumulated 365 total yards with 205 of their yards coming from QB Cody Clements who also threw for 2 touchdowns on 11 completions out of 21 passes. The Trojans only accounted for 265 total yards with 146 yards coming from former Gulf Shores QB Brandon Silvers. He did not have the day that he and head coach Neal Brown wanted as Silvers was trusted to throw more deep down-the-field passes.
In the end, Silvers threw 3 interceptions with 2 of those being from passes that were 30 yards down field. Two of those interceptions were by Jaguars junior outside linebacker Kalen Jackson who also accounted for 6 total tackles, two for a loss. There were 7 total tackles for loss from the South Alabama Jaguars defense.
(Pictured: South Alabama Jaguars Center Joseph Scelfo run blocks for Running Back Tyreis Thomas against the Troy Trojans).
Former Spanish Fort Toros middle linebacker Blake Dees had 9 total tackles against the Trojans. Troy turned the ball over three times as compared to the Jaguars’ two. Trojans LB Justin Lucas managed to get an interception from Jags QB Cody Clements.
In my preview analysis article (Oct. 2), I said that the Jags on defense would need to control the Trojan’s long drives. They did so with punts and turnovers as The Trojans only scored 11 points on drives with more than 4 plays. The Jaguars were also efficient in driving the ball on offense where RB Xavier Johnson rushed for 91 yards on 20 carries and a touchdown. WR Josh Magee had an explosive game where he had 3 receptions for 116 yards and TE Gerald Everett had 5 receptions for 45 yards and 2 touchdowns. All of the Jaguars played well and were consistent, evidence of great coaching execution by head coach Joey Jones. Troy Trojans on the other hand have got to learn to play more diverse offensive football and perform better on defense. Now the Trojans find themselves as the weaker end of the state of Alabama division 1 schools.
It is not a lost cause for the Trojans but they are down one game in the Sun Belt standings and need to win to be in the contention for the conference. After only scoring 13 on offense and allowing 63 points from NC State, the South Alabama Jaguars responded positively as they began conference play. They will still have to play teams like Louisiana-Lafayette, Middle Tennessee, and Georgia Southern that will make a big case for Sun Belt conference champion. The Jaguars have been to a bowl game and won big games. Now comes the next phase in the young program’s career, win the Sun Belt Conference. The Jaguars (3-2) will be at home as they play the Arkansas State Red Wolves on October 13. The Trojans (1-3) will travel to Mississippi State next week as they play another tough non-conference game.