Despite being without some top offensive performers, South Alabama won the 2024 Salute to Veterans Bowl 30-23 against Western Michigan. The Jaguars were without quarterback Gio Lopez (injury), running back Fluff Bothwell (transfer portal), and wide receiver Jamaal Pritchett (opt-out). Jeremiah Webb stepped up in a big way by catching six passes for 182 yards and two touchdowns. After a slow start, the South Alabama defense played well limiting the Broncos’ rushing attack to just 121 yards. Western Michigan averaged 188 yards per game on the ground during the season.
South Alabama Wins Salute to Veterans Bowl
Broncos Fast Start
Western Michigan started the game by jumping out to a 10-0 lead over South Alabama. The Jaguars were forced into a three-and-out to begin the game. On their first offensive play, Broncos quarterback Hayden Wolff found Kenneth Womack for 23 yards to get to the South Alabama side of the field. Running back Jalen Buckley capped off the five-play, 71-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown. The Jaguars would move the ball on their second possession, but kicker Davis Little missed a 22-yard field goal. Western Michigan would connect on a field goal of their own by Luke Zurak. The 37-yard kick gave the Broncos a 10-0 lead with 14:50 in the second quarter. It was a long drive of 12 plays and 61 yards. It was led by running back Zahir Abdus-Salaam for 36 yards on five carries.
Jaguars Own Second Quarter
After that score by Western Michigan, the Broncos offense would not muster up too much offense until late in the game. South Alabama would then go on a nine-play, 69-yard drive that this time would equal points. Quarterback Bishop Davenport found Webb for 35 yards on the second play of the drive to advance to the Broncos’ 40. Webb also featured in the running game, and he picked up 18 yards to get inside the five-yard line. The offense stalled out, but Hamilton DiBoyan was able to get a 24-yard field goal to make it 10-3.
After forcing the Broncos to punt, South Alabama found the end zone in just two plays. Davenport first connected with Devin Voisin for 28 yards to their 48-yard line. Then, Webb would catch his first touchdown of the game with a 52-yard scoring play. With the game tied at 10 with 10:29 in the second quarter, South Alabama had all the momentum.
Following another Western Michigan punt, Davenport found Webb once again. This time it was for 45 yards on a play where Webb snatched a potential interception from a Broncos’ defender. DiBoyan would miss the extra point, but South Alabama now led 16-10 with 4:50 remaining until halftime. After both teams traded interceptions, Western Michigan would add a 29-yard field goal by Zurak to make it 16-13 at halftime. The two interceptions were by Amarion Fortenberry (South Alabama) and Josh Franklin (Western Michigan)
South Alabama Extends Lead
Western Michigan opened the second half with the ball, and early in the drive, they had some success. A facemask penalty on the Jaguars put the Broncos at the 28-yard line. Then they proceeded to move backward. An illegal block penalty and a sack by Ed Smith IV of 10 yards put them back to the 45-yard line.
After the punt, South Alabama went on an eight-play, 90-yard drive that resulted in a touchdown run by Davenport for 50 yards. That score gave South Alabama a 30-23 lead with 4:18 remaining in the third quarter. The Salute to Veterans Bowl was a big game for Davenport. On the night he threw for 271 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 85 yards and had one touchdown.
Broncos Try to Rally
Entering the fourth quarter down 23-10, Western Michigan needed to rally for a comeback. After both teams exchanged punts, the Broncos cut into the lead. With 11:24 left in the game, Wolff connected with Womack for 39 yards to the South Alabama 36. Wolff capped off the drive with a seven-yard touchdown pass to Anthony Sambucci with 6:17 left in the game.
South Alabama would respond with the score now 23-20. The Jaguars went on an eight-play, 75-yard drive that resulted in a 22-yard touchdown run by Kentrel Bullock to make the score 30-20 with 2:42 remaining. Bullock had a solid performance rushing for 130 yards on 17 carries. The Broncos added a field goal by Zurak of 48 yards with 1:11 remaining. Devin Voisin would recover the onside kick, and South Alabama wins the 2024 Salute to Veterans Bowl 30-23. The win gives the Jaguars a 7-6 record for the second consecutive season and the Broncos end at 6-7. Webb was named MVP of the game.
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