South Alabama coach Steve Campbell knew why his Jaguars lost to Nebraska on Saturday. They turned the ball over five times, resulting in 14 points for Nebraska and shutting down USA's second-half comeback attempt.
“When you have more total yards, more first downs, I think we were, third-down efficiency, a little better than them and all that, then to come up short, that tells you what a big stat turnovers is,†Campbell said. “You can look at explosives and all that stuff all you want to. Still it’s a game of turnovers. Give them credit. They did a great job of creating them and capitalizing on it. That’s the mark of a good football team.â€
Quarterback Cephus Johnson was responsible for four of the five of the turnovers, two picks and two fumbles, one of which was recovered in the end zone for a Husker touchdown.
“I made a couple of costly mistakes that I can’t afford to make,†Johnson said. “They came with some corner blitzes I wasn’t paying attention to.â€
Johnson’s first mistake came two minutes into the second half when Nebraska’s Eric Lee picked off a pass and returned it 38 yards for a touchdown.
Less than two minutes later, JD Spielman returned a South Alabama punt 76 yards to put Nebraska up 28-7 and threaten to blow the game open.
“It got right there on the brink,†said Campbell, who got an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty protesting a call on the ensuing kickoff return. "That was when I threw my little — to make sure we’re not going to go there. I loved the way the guys finished. We actually cut it to seven after being down. The guys fought. … I think we just kind of ran out of time.â€
South Alabama scored 14 straight points late in the third quarter to cut the Nebraska lead to 28-21 and opened the fourth quarter facing a second-and-9 at its own 12. Nebraska’s Cam Taylor-Britt came flying in off the edge, hit Johnson as he was attempting to throw. Nebraska’s Alex Davis got the ball at the goal line and scored, putting the Huskers back up by 14.
“What we told our offensive line is, ‘Look, they’re really struggling running the football against our defensive line. And you all get to go against that every day. We ought to be able to create some creases,’†Campbell said. “But give Nebraska credit. Their defensive line played extremely well today. I thought it was two good run defenses.â€
South Alabama's defense bogged down Nebraska’s high-powered offense, holding the Huskers to 276 total yards, 98 of them on the ground.
The Jaguars succeeded in that effort. But they struggled to move the ball consistently. That, Campbell said, should be credited to the Blackshirts.
“Nebraska’s defense is much improved,†he said “I watched all 12 (2018 Nebraska) games ad nauseam all summer. They’re better. That big nose guard, the transfer (Darrion Daniels), he helps them. That (No.) 7 — his name is (Mohamed) Barry, right? — is a great player; 22 (Alex Davis) is a great player. Those two brothers at the D-ends (Carlos and Khalil Davis) are really good players. The corners I think separate them from people. The corner blitz created two turnovers. That’s 14 points. There you go."
Photos: Highlights from the Nebraska-South Alabama game
Nebraska vs. South Alabama, 8.31
Nebraska linebacker Alex Davis (22) (left) tries to strip the ball from South Alabama's Tra Minter (5) on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
EMILY HANEY, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. South Alabama, 8.31
Nebraska running back Maurice Washington rushes against South Alabama in the third quarter last Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska vs. South Alabama, 8.31
Nebraska's Darrion Daniels (left) carries a little boy off the field after the Huskers defeated South Alabama on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
EMILY HANEY, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. South Alabama, 8.31
Nebraska coach Scott Frost talks to a reporter after the Huskers defeated South Alabama 35-21 on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
EMILY HANEY, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. South Alabama, 8.31
Nebraska's Isaac Armstrong (98) (center) punts the ball in a game against South Alabama on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
EMILY HANEY, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. South Alabama, 8.31
In the first game of his sophomore season, Adrian Martinez (2) directs a Husker receiver in the second quarter against South Alabama on Aug. 31, 2019, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO
Nebraska vs. South Alabama, 8.31
Nebraska wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson (1) proceeds down the sideline after shaking off an attempted tackle from South Alabama's Travis Reed (not shown) in the second quarter on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska vs. South Alabama, 8.31
Nebraska's Isaac Armstrong (98) punts against South Alabama on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
EMILY HANEY, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. South Alabama, 8.31
Nebraska's Mohamed Barry (left) tackles South Alabama's Khameron Taylor just as he makes it in to the end zone on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
EMILY HANEY, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. South Alabama, 8.31
Max Smith (left) cheers as the Huskers score a touchdown against South Alabama while his friend takes a nap on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
EMILY HANEY, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. South Alabama, 8.31
Nebraska running back Maurice Washington avoids getting tackled by South Alabama on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
EMILY HANEY, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. South Alabama, 8.31
Nebraska cornerback Dicaprio Bootle is attended to after getting hurt during a play against South Alabama on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
EMILY HANEY, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. South Alabama, 8.31
Nebraska linebacker Alex Davis (22) celebrates with Collin Miller after recovering a fumble in the fourth quarter against South Alabama on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska vs. South Alabama, 8.31
Husker fans watch Nebraska host South Alabama on Aug. 31, 2019, at Memorial Stadium.Â
JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO
Nebraska vs. South Alabama, 8.31
Nebraska coach Scott Frost (right) talks with Huskers safety Eric Lee as they walk off the field after the team's 35-21 win over South Alabama on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska vs. South Alabama, 8.31
Nebraska safety Eric Lee (left) picks off a pass intended for South Alabama's Cade Sutherland in the fourth quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium. Lee had a pick-six in the third quarter against the Jaguars.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska vs. South Alabama, 8.31
Husker football players run out on to the field before a game against South Alabama last Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
EMILY HANEY, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. South Alabama, 8.31
Husker cheerleaders run with flags after the Huskers scored against South Alabama on Aug. 31 at Memorial Stadium.
EMILY HANEY, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska vs. South Alabama, 8.31
The Husker marching band takes the field before a game against South Alabama on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
EMILY HANEY, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. South Alabama, 8.31
Husker cheerleaders perform before a game against South Alabama on Aug. 31 at Memorial Stadium.
EMILY HANEY, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska vs. South Alabama, 8.31
Nebraska football coach Scott Frost greets people as he walks onto the field against South Alabama on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
EMILY HANEY, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. South Alabama, 8.31
South Alabama's Jalen Tolber (8) can't collect a pass during the first half of a football game against Nebraska on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
EMILY HANEY, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. South Alabama, 8.31
South Alabama's quarterback Cephus Johnson scores the team's first touchdown in the first half of a football game against Nebraska on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
EMILY HANEY, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. South Alabama, 8.31
Nebraska safety Marquel Dismuke (19) and Nebraska cornerback Lamar Jackson (21) celebrate deflecting a pass in the first half of a football game against South Alabama on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
EMILY HANEY, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. South Alabama, 8.31
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) runs with the ball in the first quarter against South Alabama on Aug. 31 at Memorial Stadium.
EMILY HANEY, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska vs. South Alabama, 8.31
Nebraska tight end Jack Stoll (86) reacts after getting tackled short of the goal line after a long run in the first quarter last Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. South Alabama, 8.31
Nebraska wide receiver Kanawai Noa (9) breaks up an interception attempt by South Alabama's Keith Gallmon (33) in the first quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. South Alabama, 8.31
Nebraska tight end Jack Stoll (86) runs towards the goal line before getting tackled in the first quarter on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. South Alabama, 8.31
Nebraska running back Dedrick Mills (26) scored two first-half touchdowns against South Alabama on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. South Alabama, 8.31
Herbie Husker high-fives fans after the Unity Walk on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
EMILY HANEY, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. South Alabama, 8.31
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost waves as he leads the team off the buses as they tried a new location for the Unity Walk on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. South Alabama, 8.31
Fans look on as buses carrying the Nebraska football team arrive before a game against South Alabama on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
EMILY HANEY, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. South Alabama, 8.31
A Nebraska flag flying above Memorial Stadium is shown reflected in a puddle on Saturday, August 31, 2019.
EMILY HANEY Journal Star
Nebraska vs. South Alabama, 8.31
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost and offensive line coach Greg Austin get ready to walk into Memorial Stadium for a game during the 2019 season. Austin now has new responsibilities with the running game.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO
Nebraska vs. South Alabama, 8.31
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) greets fans during the Unity Walk on Aug. 31, 2019, before a football game against South Alabama at Memorial Stadium.
EMILY HANEY, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. South Alabama, 8.31
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) greets fans during the Unity Walk on Saturday before a football game against South Alabama at Memorial Stadium.
EMILY HANEY, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. South Alabama, 8.31
Herbie Husker looks on as buses carrying Nebraska football players arrive on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
EMILY HANEY, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. South Alabama, 8.31
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost leads the team off the buses as they tried a new location for the Unity Walk on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. South Alabama, 8.31
Kai Ranaekers dives through a tunnel as part of an obstacle course before a football game against South Alabama on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
EMILY HANEY, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. South Alabama, 8.31
Seven-year-old Jackson Strickler of Fremont heaves a "cheeseburger" while playing cornhole for a pair of socks prior to the Nebraska-South Alabama game on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. South Alabama, 8.31
Kash Kowalski of Norfolk gets a balloon hat fitted on to his head before a football game against South Alabama on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
EMILY HANEY, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. South Alabama, 8.31
The Nebraska football players take part in the Unity Walk before the game against South Alabama in 2019.
CHRIS BASNETT, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska vs. South Alabama, 8.31
Nebraska linebacker Alex Davis (22) celebrates his fourth-quarter fumble recover for a touchdown with Husker teammate Collin Miller on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska vs. South Alabama, 8.31
Nebraska defensive coordinator Erik Chinander watches the team during pre-game warm-ups Aug. 31 at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO
Nebraska vs. South Alabama, 8.31
Nebraska running back Maurice Washington gestures toward one of his teammates during pre-game warmups last Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska vs. South Alabama, 8.31
Nebraska coach Scott Frost leads the Huskers out before their game against South Alabama on Aug. 31 at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO
Nebraska vs. South Alabama, 8.31
Nebraska's Mohamed Barry tackles South Alabama quarterback Cephus Johnson as Collin Miller (31) comes over to help in the first quarter Aug. 31 at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO
Nebraska vs. South Alabama, 8.31
Nebraska tight end Jack Stoll (86) runs for a first down on a pass from Huskers' quarterback Adrian Martinez (right) against South Alabama on Aug. 31, 2019, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO
Nebraska vs. South Alabama, 8.31
Nebraska cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt (right) tackles South Alabama quarterback Cephus Johnson in the second quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska vs. South Alabama, 8.31
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez throws on the run as he's pursued by South Alabama's Tre Young in the first quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska vs. South Alabama, 8.31
Darrion Daniels (right) pursues South Alabama quarterback Cephus Johnson on Aug. 31, 2019 at Memorial Stadium. Daniels is spending time with family in Dallas ahead of the NFL Draft next week.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO
Nebraska vs. South Alabama, 8.31
Nebraska defensive coordinator Erik Chinander directs his players during pre-game warm-ups Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska vs. South Alabama, 8.31
Nebraska center Cam Jurgens (51) snaps the ball before blocking South Alabama's Jordon Beaton in August 2019 at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska vs. South Alabama, 8.31
Nebraska cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt celebrates a tackle of South Alabama quarterback Cephus Johnson in the second quarter Aug. 31 at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO
Nebraska vs. South Alabama, 8.31
Nebraska's JD Spielman (10) breaks the attempted tackle of South Alabama's Zac Crosby (85) on a punt returned for a touchdown in the third quarter on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska vs. South Alabama, 8.31
Nebraska safety Eric Lee returns an interception for a third-quarter touchdown against South Alabama on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska vs. South Alabama, 8.31
Nebraska's JD Spielman returns a punt for a touchdown in the third quarter against South Alabama on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska vs. South Alabama, 8.31
Nebraska wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson (1) shakes off an attempted tackle from South Alabama's Travis Reed in August at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO
Nebraska vs. South Alabama, 8.31
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) scrambles away as offensive lineman Brenden Jaimes (76) blocks a South Alabama defender in the second quarter on Saturday.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Nebraska vs. South Alabama, 8.31
Nebraska defensive lineman Carlos Davis (96) tackles South Alabama running back Jared Wilson in the second quarter Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Nebraska vs. South Alabama, 8.31
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost confers with assistant coaches Ryan Held (left) and Sean Beckton during the second quarter against South Alabama on Aug. 31, 2019, at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star file photo
Nebraska vs. South Alabama, 8.31
Nebraska's Lamar Jackson (left) bumps helmets with teammate JoJo Domann after a second-quarter tackle against South Alabama on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
** Nebraska vs. South Alabama, 8.31 **
Nebraska safety Eric Lee returns an interception 38 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter against South Alabama on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
FRANCIS GARDLER, JOURNAL STAR
Reach the writer at 402-473-7244 or kwolgamott@journalstar.com .
On Twitter @LJSWolgamott.
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