The latest college football news, notes, and happenings for Friday, September 4th. Photo Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
South Alabama stuns Southern Miss 32-21
South Alabama went up 6-0 on a 73-yard touchdown pass to Jalen Tolbert – who finished with 169 yards and two touchdowns on six catches – just over a minute into the game, and it never trailed at Southern Miss. The heavy underdog won its first road game since 2017, coming up with 526 yards of total offense, and helped by a D that stuffed the Golden Eagles for just 95 rushing yards.
Player of the Game: South Alabama QB Desmond Trotter was banged up, but he completed 16-of-27 passes for 299 yards and two touchdowns with two picks, and ran nine times for 41 yards.
Key Stat: South Alabama was 7-of-12 on third downs and 2-of-2 on fourth downs. USM was 5-of-14 on third and 1-of-2 on fourth.
The Jaguar offense rolls up over 500 yards, 3 from the defense post 10+ plus tackles to help lead South to the season-opening win. Final score brought to you by @SonnysBBQ.#MOBSquad | #Something2Prove pic.twitter.com/Yb5LbMdbB2
— South Alabama Football (@WeAreSouth_FB) September 4, 2020
The Pac-12 testing solution?
When the Pac-12 chose to postpone its 2020 season, one of the main reasons was its lack of confidence in its testing ability. That problem could potentially have been solved after reaching a deal with the Quidel corporation for a daily test. It the league’s statement …
“The agreement is a major step toward the safe return of sports competition in the Pac-12.”
Today we've announced a groundbreaking COVID-19 testing research initiative with Quidel Corporation. Learn more below.
📎: https://t.co/D1Tppj5FKZ#BackThePac
— Pac-12 Conference (@pac12) September 3, 2020
Could there really be a spring football season?
According to Heather Dinich of ESPN, the Football Oversight Committee made its recommendation for possible spring season model. the teams that want to play in the spring would play eight games to start whenever they feel ready, but would have to finish by April 17th. However, teams that play in 2020 wouldn’t be able to use this model.
Football Oversight Committee recommends eight-game spring season – via @ESPN App https://t.co/reIh4WLJMU
— Heather Dinich (@CFBHeather) September 4, 2020
West Virginia names its starting quarterback
West Virginia announced that senior Jarret Doege would be the starter for the Week 1 date with Eastern Kentucky, beating out Austin Kendall for the gig. Doege completed 66% of his passes for 818 yards and seven touchdowns with three picks, all over the last four games of last season.
Week 1 starting QB: Jarret Doege pic.twitter.com/Mg84bXkaDP
— WVU Football (@WVUfootball) September 3, 2020
UAB 45, Central Arkansas 35
It wasn’t pretty, but UAB won its 19th straight home game. Central Arkansas battled from down 21 to make it a game at the end of the first half, but UAB pulled away with 17 straight second half points for a 45-21 lead. Tyler Johnson threw two touchdown passes for the Blazers on a 17-of-25 day, helping them keep control of the clock for over 37 minutes.
Player of the Game: UAB RB Spencer Brown ran 24 times for 127 yards and a score.
Key Stat: UAB outgained Central Arkansas 459 yards to 293
.@UAB_FB extends their home winning streak to 1️⃣9️⃣!
What a way to kickoff the #CUSAFB season! pic.twitter.com/zkbqEuayU9
— Conference USA (@ConferenceUSA) September 4, 2020
