South Alabama's Major Applewhite provides injury updates before Arkansas State game

South Alabama quarterback Gio Lopez was removed in the fourth quarter of LSU's 42-10 loss on Saturday as a purely precautionary measure, Jaguars coach Major Applewhite said Monday.

Lopez left the game after being sacked on third down early in the fourth quarter at Tiger Stadium, with Bishop Davenport playing behind center the rest of the way. In his press conference Monday previewing this week's game at Arkansas State, Applewhite suggested the move was simply a matter of “living to fight another day.”

“After the third down sack, he got up a little limp,” Applewhite said. “After the score went down by 32 points, I felt like it was time to protect our starting quarterback.”

Lopez missed the Sept. 7 game in Ohio due to a turf injury, but has played in all key games over the past three weeks. He completed 16 of 22 passes for 171 yards and a touchdown and also rushed for 32 yards against LSU.

The news is less certain for wide receiver Jamaal Pritchett, who left the team after suffering a bad hit in the first quarter against LSU. Pritchett must go through concussion protocol before being cleared to play against Arkansas State, Applewhite said.

“He’s just on the record right now,” Applewhite said. “I don’t have an update at the moment.”

Pritchett caught three passes for 40 yards before his injury on Saturday. He leads the Jaguars in receptions (29), yards (394) and touchdowns (4) this season and is averaging 28 yards on punt returns, including a 62-yard touchdown.

South Alabama (2-3, 1-0 Sun Belt Conference) will face Arkansas State (2-2, 0-0) in Jonesboro, Arkansas on Saturday at 6 p.m. The crucial Sun Belt West Division game will be broadcast live on ESPN+.