JONESBORO, Ark. — In a season of firsts, the University of South Alabama hoped a trip to Jonesboro would produce another on Saturday night: their first ever victory against Arkansas State. The Jaguars (3-3, 0-3) were not so lucky as to accomplish the feat, as the Red Wolves (2-4, 2-0) prevailed 17-7 in a defensive battle.

The defenses kept the scoring low in this contest, combining for 2 interceptions, 3 forced fumbles and 17 tackles for a loss, including 9 sacks. Offensively neither team was really successful on the sloppy night as the two squads combined for just 553 total yards of offense.

Appropriately enough, it was the Red Wolves defense that put the first points on the board when Chris Humes picked up a fumble after Jaguar receiver Kevin Kutchera lost the ball fighting for extra yardage. Humes ran the ball back 60 yards for the score to put the home team up 7-0.

Arkansas State's offense finally found the end zone on their ensuing possession when running back Johnston White ran roughshod through the Jaguar defense for a 14-yard touchdown to extend the lead to 14-0 ASU.

In the third quarter, South Alabama's offense finally got something going when quarterback Dallas Davis, who replaced starter Cole Garvin just before the half, moved the offense down to the ASU 24-yard line. After the drive stalled there, Jaguar kicker Gavin Patterson missed a 41-yard field goal.

The Red Wolves answered the missed field goal with a kick of their own good from 25 yards out on their next drive to push the lead to 17-0.

South Alabama did escape the shutout when running back Xavier Johnson capped a 7-play, 92-yard drive with a 2-yard rushing touchdown to cut the lead to 17-7.

Jaguar tight end Gerald Everett was the lone bright spot on either offense with his 5 catches for 125 yards. He now has 518 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns on 31 catches this season. He's just 57 yards away from topping his output from a year ago. At his current rate of 86.3 yards per game, he could top the USA career receiving yardage mark before season's end.

The Jaguars will have no time to lick their wounds with in-state and conference rival Troy (5-1, 3-0) coming to Ladd-Peebles stadium for a Thursday night matchup at 6 p.m. The Trojans currently sit atop the Sun Belt rankings.