Johnson's go-ahead TD leads South Alabama past LA-Lafayette

MOBILE, Ala. (AP) E.J. May made a late interception to set up Xavier Johnson's go-ahead 16-yard touchdown run with 3:32 left and South Alabama beat

MOBILE, Ala. (AP) E.J. May made a late interception to set up Xavier Johnson's go-ahead 16-yard touchdown run with 3:32 left and South Alabama beat Louisiana-Lafayette 32-25 on Thursday night.

South Alabama increased its lead to 24-13 early in the fourth quarter on a trick play. Wide receiver Gerald Everett took a pitch from running back Dami Ayoola and found quarterback Cody Clements wide open in the end zone for a 7-yard score.

Lafayette answered with Jamal Robinson's 45-yard touchdown reception and, seven plays later, Savion Brown returned an interception 85 yards to give the Ragin' Cajuns a 25-24 lead.

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But after Johnson's TD, Lafayette turned it over on downs at its 34 with 2:46 remaining and South Alabama ran out the clock.

Cody Clements threw for 281 yards and had two total touchdowns for South Alabama (5-4, 3-2 Sun Belt).

Robinson had 10 catches for a career-high 188 yards for Louisiana Lafayette (4-5, 3-2).