South Alabama Scores 87 in Historic CFB Win vs. NWST Despite Shortened 4th Quarter

Julia StumbaughSeptember 13, 2024

Brooke Sutton/Getty Images

South Alabama set FBS, program and conference records during Thursday night’s 87-10 victory over FCS member Northwestern State.

The win marked the highest-scoring victory by an FBS team over an FCS opponent in the matchup’s history, per Fear the FCS. Houston set in 1990, and Oklahoma State tied in 2012, the previous FBS-FCS record of 84 points.

The victory also marked the highest-scoring FBS outing since Fresno State’s 94-17 win over New Mexico in 1991.

South Alabama racked up the record-breaking points total despite the blowout being cut short as the fourth quarter was replaced with a six-minute running clock, per College Football Report.

ESPN @espnComplete domination from South Alabama 😱

📸 @SouthAlabamaFB pic.twitter.com/39EX1FMk25

South Alabama also set a program and Sun Belt Conference record with the team’s 87-point total. The team recorded its previous high of 55 points twice last season during wins over UL Monroe and Southern Mississippi.

Northwestern State was put in an almost immediate deficit when South Alabama’s Jamaal Pritchett returned a punt 62 yards for a touchdown in the opening minute of the game.

South Alabama, which led by 14 points at the end of the first quarter, had extended the lead to 42 points at the half and 70 points by the end of the third quarter.

Jaguars quarterback Gio Lopez went 15-of-19 for 257 yards and four touchdowns in his season debut, while Fluff Bothwell and Kentrel Bullock combined for 15 carries, 245 rushing yards and four touchdowns in the victory.

South Alabama totaled 620 total yards of offense in the wind, while holding Northwestern State to 237 yards.

The victory marked Major Applewhite’s first win since he was named the program’s coach in January. The former Houston coach spent the past three years building the Jaguars’ offense before he was promoted to his current role.

Northwestern State will meanwhile continue searching for the program’s first win of the season following an 0-3 start.