Southern Mississippi linebackers Hayes Maples (32) and Averie Habas (46) tackle South Alabama quarterback Desmond Trotter (1) after a short run during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Hattiesburg, Miss., Thursday, Sept. 3, 2020. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
The Associated Press
HATTIESBURG, Miss. (AP) - Desmond Trotter threw for 299 yards and two touchdowns, Jalen Tolbert had 169 yards receiving and two scores, and South Alabama beat Southern Mississippi 32-21 on Thursday night for its first road victory since 2017.
South Alabama, which had five combined wins in its last two seasons, snapped a 15-game road losing streak.
Tolbert highlighted the first half with a 73-yard catch-and-run on the third play of the game. He added an acrobatic grab for a 31-yard score on South Alabama's first possession of the second half for a 10-point lead.
Southern Miss pulled to 29-21 with under six minutes to play, but South Alabama sealed it with a eight-play, 59-yard drive ending in a 34-yard field goal by Diego Guajardo.
Jalen Wayne caught six passes for 101 yards, marking the first time in South Alabama's history to have two 100-yard receivers in the same game. Trotter also carried it nine times for 41 yards for the Jaguars (1-0).
Jack Abraham was 22-of-32 passing for 314 yards and Tim Jones made six catches for 139 yards for Southern Miss (0-1). Frank Gore Jr. added 32 yards on the ground.
South Alabama quarterback Desmond Trotter (1) runs away from Southern Mississippi linebacker Hayes Maples (32) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Hattiesburg, Miss., Thursday, Sept. 3, 2020. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
The Associated Press
South Alabama quarterback Desmond Trotter (1) looks for a receiver during the team's NCAA college football game against Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Miss., Thursday, Sept. 3, 2020. (Cam Bonelli/Hattiesburg American via AP)
The Associated Press
Southern Mississippi fans wait for the team's NCAA college football game against South Alabama in Hattiesburg, Miss., Thursday, Sept. 3, 2020. (Cam Bonelli/Hattiesburg American via AP)
The Associated Press
Southern Mississippi coach Jay Hopson reacts following a South Alabama touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Hattiesburg, Miss., Thursday, Sept. 3, 2020. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
The Associated Press
Southern Mississippi quarterback Jack Abraham (15) throws a pass during the first half of the team's NCAA college football game against South Alabama in Hattiesburg, Miss., Thursday, Sept. 3, 2020. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
The Associated Press