MONTGOMERY, AL – The 2024 Salute to Veterans Bowl unfolded under the lights at Cramton Bowl on Saturday night, featuring the South Alabama Jaguars and Western Michigan Broncos. Despite missing key players, South Alabama managed to outsmart and outplay the Broncos, clinching the game with a hard-fought 30-23 victory.
Both teams entered the contest with identical 6-6 records, fighting to secure finishing above .500. Early on, it looked as if Western Michigan would establish dominance. They quickly seized the lead thanks to running back Jalen Buckley’s one-yard touchdown run followed by Luka Zurak’s 37-yard field goal, propelling the Broncos to a 10-0 advantage. The Jaguars, led by backup quarterback Bishop Davenport, were without their starting quarterback Gio Lopez and star receiver Jamaal Pritchett, who were both sidelined due to injuries.
But the Jaguars, with plenty of resolve, came out firing. The turning point occurred midway through the second quarter. Following a field goal to cut the deficit to 10-3, South Alabama turned up the pressure defensively, forcing two consecutive three-and-outs from the Broncos. This set the stage for Davenport to connect with receiver Jeremiah Webb, who put on a sensational performance. His first highlight came on a blazing 52-yard touchdown reception, tying the game at 10-10. The second touchdown was even more spectacular—a breathtaking 45-yard catch where Webb outmuscled his defender for control, allowing South Alabama to seize the lead at 16-10.
South Alabama headed to the locker room at halftime with the score of 16-13 after Zurak managed another field goal for Western Michigan. The Jaguars’ offensive line played decisively throughout the match, as they amassed 537 total yards, showcasing their versatility and determination.
Following the break, the Jaguars extended their lead. Davenport took matters to his own hands with his legs, executing a brilliant 50-yard touchdown run, courtesy of deft maneuvering through the defense. The score pushed the tally to 23-13. Western Michigan would not back down, mounting their charge with quarterback Hayden Wolff leading the team. Wolff connected with Anthony Sambucci for a seven-yard touchdown, keeping the Broncos within touching distance at 23-20.
With the game hanging by a thread, South Alabama responded. The Jaguars’ Kentrel Bullock, who had been consistent all night, burst through the Broncos’ defense for a rib-bruising 22-yard touchdown, creating breathing room with 30-20. Bullock’s performance was instrumental, as he finished the night with 130 rushing yards on 17 carries, landing the clinching score with under two minutes left.
Western Michigan attempted to mount one final offensive effort, scoring another field goal from Zurak, but South Alabama’s defense shone brightly. The Jaguars calmly recovered the ensuing onside kick, dousing any chance of a Broncos comeback. This marked South Alabama’s triumph and their second consecutive victory in bowl games, following last season's win against Eastern Michigan.
This game was special, especially for first-year head coach Major Applewhite, who now stands proud as the first head coach to lead the Jaguars to back-to-back winning seasons since the FBS transition. Applewhite captured the essence of the team's spirit and grit, emphasizing, “All those guys stepped up to the plate today. We talked about it at the hotel as a team and staff together. We’ve got what we got, and it’s more than they can handle.”
Webb not only earned MVP honors with his remarkable six receptions totaling 182 yards and two touchdowns but also cemented his legacy at South Alabama. He had been vying for the spotlight and repaid the faith shown by the coaching staff magnificently. “I just wanted it,” Webb commented, summarizing the determination exhibited by the team all night.
While Western Michigan’s season ends at 6-7 and they’ll reflect on missed opportunities, particularly the inability to capitalize on several turnovers, they showcased resilience as well. Coach Lance Taylor acknowledged the Jaguars’ superiority on the day, stating, “I tip my hat to Major Applewhite and South Alabama. Congratulations to them on the bowl victory. They made more plays than we did.”
The 2024 Salute to Veterans Bowl not only uplifted South Alabama’s football program but also served as another step forward for their aspirations. With this victory, they finished with a record of 7-6 and claimed their second bowl win ever, having achieved what once seemed unreachable—three consecutive winning seasons. The Jaguars have now officially stamped their arrival to prominence within the college football arena, yet this is only the beginning.
