In a spirited showdown at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, the South Alabama Jaguars secured a 27-14 win over the Troy Trojans in the annual “Battle for the Belt.” The Jaguars, now 5-5 overall and 3-3 in Sun Belt play, built a 14‑point lead in the first quarter that proved decisive.
First‑quarter dominance
South Alabama opened the game with a series of efficient drives, capitalizing on Troy’s early miscues. A balanced attack of rushing and passing moved the ball into Troy territory quickly, and a short touchdown run gave the Jaguars a 7‑0 lead. A second scoring drive before the quarter ended pushed the advantage to 14‑0, setting the tone for the rest of the contest.
Troy’s response
Quarterback Goose Crowder, making his first start in three weeks, sparked a brief rally for Troy. On a fourth‑and‑1 play early in the second quarter, Crowder broke free for a 45‑yard touchdown run – the longest of his six career touchdown runs and the second‑longest by a Trojan this season. The score narrowed to 14‑7, giving Troy a glimpse of momentum.
Despite the surge, South Alabama’s defense tightened, limiting Troy’s offense to a single field goal in the second quarter. The Jaguars entered halftime with a 17‑7 lead.
Second half and final score
The second half saw South Alabama maintain control, adding a field goal and a late‑game touchdown to push the margin to 27‑14. Troy’s attempts to close the gap fell short as the Jaguars’ defense forced key stops and turnovers.
When the final whistle blew, South Alabama celebrated its second victory in the last nine meetings with Troy, reinforcing its competitive edge in the Sun Belt rivalry.
Looking ahead
Troy finishes its regular season at 4‑6 overall and 2‑4 in conference play. The Trojans close out their home schedule next Saturday, hosting Sun Belt East Division leader Georgia Southern at 3 p.m. The outcome will determine Troy’s final standing in the division.
South Alabama, now 5‑5, will look to build on this win as the Sun Belt season wraps up, hoping to secure a bowl invitation.
Original reporting: Alabama News Network — read the source article.
