5 takeaways: South Alabamaâs 33, Oklahoma State 7
Well, that was unexpected.
South Alabama shook off some early-season doldrums in a big way on Saturday night, dominating Oklahoma State for 60 minutes in a 33-7 victory in Stillwater. It was the second-ever victory over a Power 5 program for the Jaguars, who are now 2-1 this season.
RELATED: South Alabama smokes Oklahoma State 33-7 in Stillwater
So should we recalibrate things after South Alabama played its best football of the season, if not of the entire Kane Wommack era? Here are five takeaways from a memorable night for the Jaguars at Boone Pickens Stadium:
1. This was the most-impressive win in program history
The 21-20 win over Mississippi State in 2016 will always be special for South Alabama because it was against an SEC program, but the total destruction of Oklahoma State was a different animal entirely. There have been other big wins for the Jaguars through years — Louisiana in 2013, San Diego State in 2016, Troy in 2017 and Southern Miss last year come to mind — but never has South Alabama so thoroughly whipped a team of the Cowboys’ pedigree.
2. Jaguars finally played like the team we thought they were
South Alabama came into 2023 with massive expectations after returning virtually every key player from last year’s 10-3 finisher. Then came the opener at Tulane on Sept. 2, in which the Jaguars were throttled every bit as badly as they handled Oklahoma State on Saturday. The win on Saturday was an outstanding effort from start to finish, with South Alabama controlling the action and never allowing the Cowboys to get comfortable in their game plan.
3. La’Damian Webb is healthy and dominating again
Webb was on a “pitch count” through two games following offseason surgery, but the restrictions came off on Saturday. An 11-yard run on third-and-7 on South Alabama’s first possession was only a sign of things to come, as Webb ran for 151 yards on 18 carries. His 17-yard touchdown run put the Jaguars’ firmly in control late in the first quarter, and his 65-yard scoring dash put the game away in the fourth.
4. South Alabama fixed some issues defensively
Oklahoma State surprisingly didn’t attack South Alabama much over the top, but the Jaguars’ secondary played easily its best game of the season after being a liability during the first two weeks. Jaden Voisin was a wrecking ball at safety all night, while Marquise Robinson’s long interception return set up the Jaguars’ second touchdown. USA’s front seven — led by Jamie Sheriff, Brock Higdon and Quentin Wilfawn — continually harassed the Cowboys’ quarterbacks.
5. Oklahoma State is not what it used to be
It is only fair to say that the 2023 version of Oklahoma State is not the offensive juggernaut South Alabama faced in 2017 and 2018 — not even close. Mike Gundy continues to utilize a three-quarterback system, and the rotation seems like it has reached the point of diminishing returns. The Cowboys do have some explosive playmakers on offense, but don’t do a very good job of getting them the ball.
Next up: South Alabama hosts Central Michigan (1-2) in its final non-conference game at 4 p.m. next Saturday.