MOBILE, Ala. — Cole Garvin threw for 343 yards and two scores and South Alabama's defense denied Arkansas State on its last two drives blunting the Red Wolves' comeback with a 24-19 win on Saturday night.
With third-and-goal at the Jaguars' 4-yard line, Justice Hansen took a shotgun snap and headed to the end zone before Bull Barge forced a fumble and Malcom Buggs recovered it in the end zone for a touchback with three minutes left.
The Red Wolves forced South Alabama (4-6, 3-3 Sun Belt) to punt and took over at their own 33-yard line with 2:06 to go, but Jeremy Reaves ended Arkansas State's (5-3, 2-3) comeback attempt by intercepting Hansen with 90 seconds remaining.
Garvin's 39-yard touchdown pass to Sam Harris to put South Alabama (4-6, 3-3 Sun Belt) ahead 17-6 before the end of the third quarter. Hansen countered and led a quick, 79-yard drive in four plays that ended with an 18-yard touchdown toss to Christian Booker before the quarter ended to pull within 17-12.
Each team scored TDs in the final quarter for the final margin. Hansen threw for 285 yards and two scores but had four interceptions.