Oct 1, 2016; Mobile, AL, USA; South Alabama Jaguars quarterback Cole Garvin (13) drops back to pass against the San Diego State Aztecs in the first quarter at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Photo Credit:
South Alabama did it again.
Sophomore quarterback Cole Garvin, making his first career collegiate start, threw three touchdown passes and the Jaguars made big plays on defense and special teams in the fourth quarter of a 42-24 upset of No. 19 San Diego State on Saturday at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Ala.
South Alabama opened the season by beating Mississippi State. On Saturday, they ended the Aztecs’ 13-game winning streak by capitalizing on a pair of San Diego State miscues in the fourth quarter.
Garvin hooked up with Josh Magee in the corner of the end zone on a 20-yard touchdown pass that gave the Jaguars a 28-24 lead early in the fourth quarter. They extended the lead minutes later, taking advantage of a bad snap on a San Diego State punt that set up Dami Ayoola’s short touchdown run.
Coach Joey Jones’ team then salted the game away on Devon Earl’s 75-yard fumble return that put the Jaguars in command, leading 42-24 with four minutes to play.
Donnell Pumphrey, the nation’s leading rusher, finished with 151 yards and a touchdown for the Aztecs, who suffered their first loss since Sept. 26, 2015, against Penn State.
Garvin completed 16 of 21 passes for 242 yards with three touchdowns and one interception.
A 34-yard field goal by San Diego State kicker John Baron II with five seconds left in the second quarter gave the Aztecs a 16-14 lead after a back-and-forth first half. Rashaad Penny and Pumphrey had touchdown runs in the first half for San Diego State.
South Alabama running back Tyreis Thomas opened the scoring with a 12-yard touchdown run that gave the Jaguars an early 7-0 lead. It was the first time the Aztecs had trailed this season.
Garvin, making his first career collegiate start, threw a 37-yard touchdown pass to Kevin Kutchera on a flea-flicker that put the Jaguars ahead 14-6 at the end of the first quarter. Garvin had a chance to extend the lead late in the first half but was intercepted in the end zone by San Diego State’s Derek Babiash.
NOTES: San Diego State entered the game on a 13-game win streak, second longest in the nation behind Alabama (16). It’s also the Aztecs’ longest win streak since legendary coach Don Coryell led the program to 21 straight wins from 1968 to 1970. … San Diego State was ranked 19th in the Associated Poll this week, their highest ranking since 1977. … Saturday’s game was South Alabama’s first at home against a ranked team. … This is the second meeting between San Diego State and South Alabama. The Jaguars beat the Aztecs 34-27 in overtime last season.
