South Alabama crushes Eastern Michigan in 68 Ventures Bowl for first ever bowl win

Gio Lopez threw three touchdown passes and ran for another as South Alabama notched its first ever bowl victory by pounding Eastern Michigan, 59-10, in the 68 Ventures Bowl at Mobile, Ala. on Saturday night.

Lopez had 192 passing yards and 88 rushing yards for the Jaguars (7-6). Desmond Trotter had a passing touchdown and a rushing touchdown.

Jamaal Pritchett caught eight passes for 127 yards and two touchdowns and DJ Thomas-Jones also caught two touchdown passes for South Alabama, which played on its home field.

Cam'Ron McCoy had a 10-yard rushing touchdown for the Eagles (6-7).

Both teams had key offensive players missing.

Jaguars No. 1 quarterback Carter Bradley didn't play due to a knee injury. Top running back La'Damian Webb sat out due to a toe injury. Top wideout Caullin Lacy transferred to Louisville.

Eastern Michigan's No. 1 quarterback Austin Smith also entered the transfer portal after the regular season. Leading running back Samson Evans was sidelined by an undisclosed injury.

The Jaguars outgained the Eagles 417-27 in the first half while roaring to a 38-3 halftime lead.

South Alabama scored on its first drive, as Diego Guajardo kicked a 46-yard field goal.

Trotter hooked up with Jeremiah Webb for a 49-yard gain on South Alabama's second possession. That set up Trotter's 3-yard touchdown pass to Thomas-Jones.

Gio Lopez then got his chance to run the offense and South Alabama scored. Lopez's 19-yard pass to Braylon McReynolds preceded Lopez's 5-yard scoring pass to Pritchett.

Jesus Gomez's 49-yard field goal in the opening minute of the second quarter put Eastern Michigan on the board.

The Jaguars answered with Kentrel Bullock's 17-yard touchdown run to make it 24-3.

Following an Eastern Michigan turnover, South Alabama quickly scored again. This time, Lopez completed a 20-yard scoring pass to Thomas-Jones.

After another Eagles giveaway, the Jaguars scored the final points of the half. Lopez connected with Pritchett on a 42-yard scoring pass.

Trotter scored on a 3-yard run early in the second half for a 45-3 lead. Lopez scored the next touchdown on a 27-yard run.

—Field Level Media