Eric Boggs 
South Alabama celebrating a big upset victory over Appalachian State on the road.
South Alabama stunned the Sun Belt Conference preseason favorite Appalachian State in a 48-14 blowout on Thursday night at Kidd Brewer Stadium, marking one of the biggest road wins in Jaguars’ program history. This commanding victory not only improved South Alabama’s record to 2-2 overall (1-0 Sun Belt), but it also snapped their losing streak against Appalachian State, a team they hadn’t beaten since 2014.
The Jaguars dominated the game with a powerful rushing attack, racking up 320 rushing yards, and played lockdown defense, holding the Mountaineers to just 119 yards on the ground. Quarterback Gio Lopez was a key factor, contributing 259 total yards and three touchdowns—105 rushing yards and a TD on the ground, along with 154 yards and two scores through the air. Running back Fluff Bothwell added 116 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while Kentrel Bullock and Iverson Celestine also found the end zone on the ground. Receivers DJ Thomas-Jones and Jamaal Pritchett hauled in touchdown catches.
South Alabama jumped out to a commanding 28-0 lead in the first half. Lopez orchestrated an opening 75-yard drive that ended with a touchdown pass to Thomas-Jones. The Jaguars then added a second score following an App State punt, with Bothwell breaking free for a 22-yard TD run. Lopez himself rushed for a 31-yard touchdown in the second quarter, and a red zone interception by Jordan Scruggs set up Bullock’s two-yard touchdown to cap a near-perfect half for the Jaguars.
Appalachian State’s only response in the first half came on a last-second Hail Mary, with quarterback Joey Aguilar connecting on a 47-yard touchdown pass to Dalton Stroman. But it was far too little, too late. The Jaguars continued their dominance in the second half, scoring two more touchdowns and cruising to victory.
South Alabama’s defense was stellar, forcing two red zone turnovers and keeping App State’s Preseason Sun Belt Player of the Year Joey Aguilar in check. The Mountaineers managed only one more touchdown, which came late in the fourth quarter after the Jaguars had pulled many of their starters.
For South Alabama, this game was not only a statement win but also the second blowout victory in as many weeks. Their 135 points over the last two games set a Sun Belt Conference record for most points scored in a two-game span.
Despite entering the game as a seven-point underdog, South Alabama left Boone, N.C., with a resounding win, establishing themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the Sun Belt. The Jaguars now look to carry this momentum forward as they prepare for their next road game at LSU.
Appalachian State, on the other hand, fell to 2-2 overall and 0-1 in the conference. The Mountaineers’ defense struggled to contain South Alabama’s balanced attack, allowing two 100-yard rushers in a single game for the first time in school history. Aguilar finished with 266 passing yards and one touchdown but was plagued by missed opportunities and a strong Jaguars’ pass rush.
South Alabama’s offensive line deserves credit for the rushing success, with running back Bothwell acknowledging their impact after the game: “Every week, the offensive line creates a lot of gaps for us, and they did it again tonight.”
The win was a significant milestone for South Alabama’s new head coach Major Applewhite, who celebrated the victory but remained focused on the long season ahead. “It’s great to come in here and get this kind of win against a program like App State, but there’s a lot of football left to play,” Applewhite said.
With a dominant win over one of the Sun Belt’s top programs, South Alabama has sent a clear message: they are a team to watch in 2024.
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