South Alabama beats Arkansas State 56-49 in the highest scoring FBS game this season

JONESBORO, Ark. -- , Keenan Phillips ran for 157 yards and three touchdowns, and he added a 100-yard kickoff return as South Alabama beat Arkansas State 56-49 on Thursday night for the most combined points of any FBS game this season. South Alabama (4-2, 2-0 Sun Belt Conference) matched its win total from a season ago when it finished 4-8. South Alabama QB Jared Hollins had two short rushing touchdowns in a span of 21 seconds to take a 34-21 lead with 1:30 remaining in the first half. Then, Arkansas State went 53 yards in four plays to score a touchdown for the highest combined points in a first half of any FBS game this season at 62. Arkansas State QB Trey Owens , in his sixth career start, plowed ahead for a 1-yard touchdown run to get within seven points with just under seven minutes remaining in the game. But South Alabama chewed up the rest of the clock on a 13-play drive.