South Alabama Football's defense allowed just 172 total yards while forcing three turnovers as the Jaguars defeated Troy, 25-9, in the Battle for the Belt Tuesday in a sold-out Hancock Whitney Stadium.
The victory improved South Alabama's record to 3-4 for the year with a 2-1 mark in Sun Belt Conference play. The Jags also snapped a six-game losing streak to the Trojans, winning their first Battle for the Belt since 2017.
South's defense was stout all night, tallying five tackles for loss, three sacks, four pass breakups and three interceptions. The Trojan offense had very little room to operate as the Jags were in the backfield applying constant pressure, which led to just 36 yards rushing and 136 passing yards for the Trojans. Safety Jaden Voisin recorded his ninth-career interception in the second quarter to set up the first touchdown of the night, while Lardarius Webb Jr. and Wesley Miller also picked off passes. Voisin's interception was the ninth of his career, tying him for the program's all-time lead. Miller's pick was the first of his career.
Several early stops by the defense bought USA's offense time until it started clicking in the second quarter. With a 3-0 lead, Voisin's interception set up the Jaguars deep in Trojan territory which led to one of the offensive highlights of the night. Quarterback Gio Lopez found Jeremiah Webb in the back corner of the end zone for a one-handed grab to put the Jaguars up 10-0. The defense then pushed Troy's offense back to the one-yard line where a bad snap resulted in a safety to get the offense the ball back again. From there, Lopez ripped off a 49-yard touchdown run to lift the Jags to a 19-0 lead.
Lopez finished the night 16-of-21 passing with 158 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 67 yards and a score. It was a balanced receiving effort for the Jags with nine-different players catching passes, led by three apiece from Jamaal Pritchett, Jeremiah Webb and Fluff Bothwell. Javon Ivory's career-long, 57-yard reception gave him the lead in receiving yards for the night. Bothwell and Kentrel Bullock also pitched in 53 and 38 yards rushing, respectively.
Defense and well-executed special teams helped USA close out the game in the second half as Laith Marjan connected on a pair of field goals in the final 30 minutes. Marjan went 3-for-3 on the night with makes from 36, 42 and 42 yards out. Troy would add a touchdown in the final minutes, but it was too little too late as South ran out the clock and secured the victory.
The Jaguars will now enjoy some well-earned rest before hosting ULM on Saturday, Oct. 26 for the school's annual homecoming game. Kickoff against the Warhawks will take place at 4 p.m. CT and the game will be broadcast on ESPN+.
