SportsDirect Inc. staff
Sep 14, 2013
South Alabama 31, Western Kentucky 24: Trey Fetner scored on a 1-yard touchdown run with 1:38 remaining and the Jaguars rallied to beat the visiting Hilltoppers in the Sun Belt Conference opener for both teams.
Western Kentucky (1-2, 0-1 SBC) drove to the Jaguarsกฏ 13-yard-line on its final drive, but Tyrell Pearson intercepted Brandon Doughtyกฏs pass in the end zone to end the game. Pearson had two interceptions for the Jaguars (2-1, 1-0), who outscored Western Kentucky 21-3 in the second half.
Ross Matheny threw for 193 yards and rushed for a touchdown, and Jay Jones had 11 carries for 49 yards and a score to lead South Alabamaกฏs comeback. Western Kentucky won most of the statistical categories จC including total yards, first downs and time of possession จC but the Hilltoppers were held to Garrett Schwettmanกฏs 44-yard field goal in the second half.
Metheny tied the game at 7 on a 1-yard touchdown run midway through the first quarter before the Hilltoppers moved ahead on Doughty's 5-yard touchdown pass to Nicholas Norris with 32 seconds left in the quarter. Doughty was 27-of-47 for 282 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions for Western Kentucky, which committed seven turnovers in last week's 52-20 loss at Tennessee.
The Hilltoppers took a 21-10 lead with 5:47left in the second quarter when Doughty capped a 6-play, 68-yard drive with a 20-yard touchdown pass to Norris. South Alabama dominated the second half and tied the game at 24 on Aleem Sunanon's 37-yard field goal with 12:28 left in the fourth quarter.