• Jags jolt Aztecs in OT 34-27, face NC State’s Wolfpack

• • Former Spanish Fort Toro Blake Dees had five total tackles

It takes time for a football program to gain relevancy or impress the college football world that they are a serious contender. South Alabama first gained that image when they went 17-0 in their two seasons as a football program. Then became the youngest team to go to a bowl game last season. This year, head coach Joey Jones and the Jaguars, in their sixth year, want to show they are a team to be reckoned with. They did it again last Saturday when as a 17.5-point underdog South went to San Diego State to upset the heavily favored Aztecs 34-27 in overtime.

It takes time for a football program to gain relevancy or impress the college football world that they are a serious contender. South Alabama first gained that image when they went 17-0 in their two seasons as a football program. Then became the youngest team to go to a bowl game last season. This year, head coach Joey Jones and the Jaguars, in their sixth year, want to show they are a team to be reckoned with. They did it again last Saturday when as a 17.5-point underdog South went to San Diego State to upset the heavily favored Aztecs 34-27 in overtime.

San Diego State had a 10-home-game win streak, were preseason favorite to win the west division of the Mountain West conference, and returned 8 players on defense, ranked 16^th in the nation last year in total yards allowed and 13^th in scoring defense.

Not to mention the Aztecs had a dangerous running back who is a season away of having a 3000-yard rushing career. One of the former Aztecs to do so is NFL Hall of Fame RB Marshall Faulk. Coach Jones knew all about the success that San Diego State has had but he knew it didn't matter about the program's history. Coach Jones emphasized that fight and intensity would win this game.

South did have a half dozen former UAB Blazers transfers after UAB football disbanded (6 months later, it was reinstated). Quarterback Cody Clements, WR D.J Vinson, and G Cameron Blakenship have been key components to the Jags offense this season.  Clements passed for 270 yards on 18 completions (35 attempts) and 2 TDs. Vinson made some key blocks when they mattered most and Blakenship was a blocking machine at the line. The former Blazers were not the only players to contribute. Xavier Johnson rushed for 142 yards on 19 carries (7.5 per carry) and 2 rushing TDs. WR Gerald Everett had 8 receptions for 164 yards and a TD.

DeMarion Harper accounted for 5 total tackles (4 solo), 1 sack, and a fumble recovery as he helped the Jaguars hold the Aztecs to 305 total yards. Former Spanish Fort Toro and Texas Tech transfer linebacker Blake Dees had 5 tackles (4 solo). The Jaguars’ 4-2-5 defense worked well with the secondary having the biggest defensive performance with safety Devon Earl (6 tackles -5 solo), E.J May (6 tackles -5 solo) and a pass deflection, and Jeremy Reaves (10 tackles -8 solo) and a pass deflection. 

While all of these stats are impressive, the fact is the Jaguars played consistently and as a whole team, did not turnover the ball and forced an Aztecs fumble. USA accounted for 511 total yards to San Diego State's 305. South had 23 first downs to the Aztecs' 14 and the Jaguars averaged 5.7 per rush while the Aztecs rushed for an average of 3.7 per rush. South Alabama had more explosive plays than San Diego State and at the right time. With 12 seconds left in the first half, Cody Clements tossed a 46-yard TD to Josh Magee. Johnson broke a 74-yard TD run to kick off the second half. Kicker Aleem Sunanon booted a 46-yard field goal to force the game into overtime. With momentum Johnson rushed for a 2-yard TD followed by a holdout-stand from the Jaguars defense to end the game.

South Alabama showed that a Nebraska loss the week before would not falter the team's ultimate goal. Jones and the Jaguars not only ruin the Aztecs’ home winning streak but they have become a heavy contender in the Sun Belt conference. The Jaguars (2-1) find themselves on the positive side of the record when it was suppose to be San Diego State (1-2). Despite this very successful week, the Jaguars will need to take their attention to the NC State Wolfpack at home on Saturday. After NC State, the race for the champions of the Sun Belt will take place. This win over San Diego State will not just be an upset that shines on the program's young history but rather will serve as to what more is to come.