Louisiana Tech holds off South Alabama 30-26

Sep 2, 2018, 08:32 am

MOBILE, Ala. -- J'Mar Smith threw two touchdown passes, Jaqwis Dancy ran for two scores and Louisiana Tech held off a South Alabama second-half rally to win 30-26 in Saturday night's season opener.

Trailing 20-7 at halftime, the Jaguars closed to 23-20 early in the fourth quarter on Maurice Mayo's 5-yard TD run, but Smith hit Adrian Hardy on an 8-yard pass on the next Bulldog possession for a 30-20 lead.

Cole Garvin's 4-yard TD strike to Kawaan Baker on the Jaguars' next possession made it 30-26 with 1:11 to go, but the Bulldogs recovered the ensuing onside kick to ice the game.

Dancy gained 144 yards on 15 carries while Smith was 19 of 29 for 209 yards passing with three interceptions.

Under first-year coach Steve Campbell, the Jaguars were outgained 264 total yards to 98 in the first half, but finished with 308 to Louisiana Tech's 440.

Garvin was 7 of 16 for 47 yards passing. Baker also scored on 4-yard run.