It wasn't even close. If you tuned into the 68 Ventures Bowl 2024 expecting a gritty, down-to-the-wire defensive struggle between two hungry programs, you probably turned the TV off by halftime. Honestly, it was a demolition. The South Alabama Jaguars didn't just win their first-ever bowl game on their home turf at Hancock Whitney Stadium; they essentially invited Eastern Michigan over and then proceeded to dismantle them in front of 20,922 fans.
Final score? 59-10.
That is a "statement win" in the most literal sense. It was the kind of performance that makes you wonder how these two teams were even scheduled together in the first place, though, on paper, Eastern Michigan’s 6-6 record suggested they’d at least put up a fight. They didn’t. South Alabama put up 627 yards of total offense while holding the Eagles to a measly 150. You don't see that kind of statistical disparity often in the postseason. It was a mismatch from the opening kickoff.
The Freshman Who Looked Like a Pro
The biggest story coming out of the 68 Ventures Bowl 2024 wasn't just the score. It was Gio Lopez.
Going into the game, there was plenty of chatter about how the Jaguars would handle the absence of star quarterback Carter Bradley. Bradley had been the face of the program, the steady hand. When a true freshman gets the nod in a bowl game, coaches usually play it safe. They run the ball. They throw screens. They try not to lose. Major Applewhite and Kane Womack did the opposite. They let Lopez cook.
Lopez ended the night with 192 passing yards and three touchdowns, but he also added 88 yards and a score on the ground. He was everywhere. At one point, he scrambled toward the sideline, evaded two defenders, and flicked a pass that looked like something a five-year senior would attempt. It’s rare to see a kid that young play with that much "calm." He won the MVP award, obviously. You kind of have to when you lead your team to the largest margin of victory in the history of that specific bowl game.
Eastern Michigan’s Rough Night in Mobile
Look, you have to feel a little bad for Chris Creighton and the Eastern Michigan squad. They’ve been one of the most consistent "overachievers" in the MAC for years. But in Mobile, nothing worked. Their offense was stuck in mud. Austin Smith, their starting quarterback, had entered the transfer portal before the game, leaving Ike Udengwu III and Cam’Ron McCoy to pick up the pieces.
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It was ugly.
The Eagles managed only 10 first downs the entire game. For context, South Alabama had 29. By the time Eastern Michigan scored their lone touchdown—a short run by McCoy in the fourth quarter—most of the stadium was already thinking about where to get post-game seafood. The Eagles' defense, which usually hangs its hat on being disciplined, surrendered 7.9 yards per play. You can't win football games when you're giving up nearly a first down every time the opponent snaps the ball.
Why This Specific Bowl Game Actually Matters
People dismiss the "minor" bowls all the time. They call them "participation trophy" games. They're wrong. For a program like South Alabama, the 68 Ventures Bowl 2024 was a massive cultural pivot point.
Think about the context:
- It was the first bowl win in school history.
- It happened on their actual home field.
- It served as the swan song for head coach Kane Womack before he headed to Alabama to be the defensive coordinator.
Winning matters for recruiting. Winning by 49 points on national television matters even more. It changes the narrative from "South Alabama is a decent Sun Belt team" to "South Alabama is a program that can produce elite talent and dominate mid-major peers."
The game also highlighted the "Portal Era" reality. While some teams crumble when their stars opt out or transfer, the Jaguars looked deeper and more prepared. Desmond Trotter, the veteran QB who had seen his starting job taken earlier in his career, even got to come in and throw a touchdown pass. That’s the kind of locker room stuff that builds a legacy. It was a "feel good" night for everyone wearing red, white, and blue.
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The Defensive Masterclass Nobody is Talking About
While everyone focuses on Gio Lopez and the 59 points, the South Alabama defense deserves a massive shoutout. They were suffocating. They recorded three sacks and forced two turnovers, but even those stats don't tell the full story.
They played with a specific kind of violence.
Every time an EMU receiver caught a pass, three Jaguars were there. There was no room to breathe. Khalil Jacobs and Quentin Wilfawn were flying sideline to sideline. It’s easy for a defense to get lazy when they’re up by 30 points in the second quarter. They didn't. They kept the shutout alive until deep into the fourth. That’s coaching. That’s discipline. Honestly, it’s why Kalen DeBoer wanted Womack in Tuscaloosa.
A Look at the Record Books
If you like numbers, the 68 Ventures Bowl 2024 provided some absolute gems.
South Alabama's 59 points set a school record for a bowl game. Their 627 yards of offense was the second-most in the history of the bowl (formerly known as the LendingTree, Dollar General, and GoDaddy Bowl). Jamaal Pritchett was another standout, hauling in eight catches for 127 yards and two scores. It felt like a video game played on "Rookie" difficulty.
Interestingly, the betting line for this game was South Alabama -17. A lot of "experts" thought Eastern Michigan would cover because of the motivation factor. Oops. The Jaguars covered that spread before the first half ended. It goes to show that in the current landscape of college football, depth and home-field advantage often outweigh "scrappy" underdog narratives.
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What to take away from the 2024 Bowl Season
If you’re a fan of the Sun Belt or just a college football junkie, there are a few actionable insights to pull from this blowout. First, the gap between the top of the Sun Belt and the middle of the MAC is currently a canyon. Second, the transfer portal doesn't always ruin bowl games; sometimes it uncovers the next superstar, like Lopez.
Moving forward, keep an eye on these developments:
- The Gio Lopez Era: He’s clearly the future. Expect him to be a preseason All-Sun Belt candidate.
- Coaching Transitions: South Alabama is now in the post-Womack era. Major Applewhite has the keys, and this bowl win gave him a massive head start on momentum.
- EMU Rebuilding: Chris Creighton has his work cut out for him. Losing that badly on a national stage requires a total culture reset in the off-season.
The 68 Ventures Bowl 2024 wasn't a "classic" in the sense of high drama. It won't be remembered for a last-second field goal or a controversial call. It will be remembered as a total eclipse. A night where one team decided they were going to be perfect, and the other team just happened to be standing in the way.
If you want to understand where Group of Five football is heading, look at the tape of this game. It’s about speed, aggressive play-calling, and finding a freshman quarterback who isn't afraid of the lights. South Alabama checked every box.
For those looking to follow the Jaguars or the MAC next season, start by tracking the spring transfer portal window. The fallout from a 49-point loss usually results in roster turnover, and the "high" from a 49-point win usually results in a recruiting bump. The impact of this game will be felt long after the confetti is swept off the turf at Hancock Whitney.
Actionable Next Steps
- Watch the highlights: If you missed the game, find the 10-minute condensed version. Pay attention to Gio Lopez’s footwork; it’s a masterclass in modern dual-threat quarterbacking.
- Monitor the Sun Belt Coaching Carousel: See how Major Applewhite fills out his staff. The momentum from the bowl win is only as good as the next recruiting class.
- Check the 2025 Schedule: South Alabama has set a high bar. Look at their non-conference slate for next year to see if they can replicate this dominance against Power 4 opponents.