ATHENS, Ohio – South Alabama gave itself the chances needed to complete a come-from-behind victory Saturday night at Ohio, but could not capitalize on those chances late and fell short, 27-20, at Peden Stadium.
 
The loss dropped the Jaguars to 0-2 for the year while the Bobcats improved to 1-1.
 
"It was disappointing," said head coach Major Applewhite. "I told the guys we had mistakes in the game, but in terms of how they played I was proud of the way they competed. They stayed in the ball game whereas last week when it got to two possessions it felt like we had some false confidence and energy. We are making strides and maturing as a ball club in terms of composure in these late fourth quarter games."
 
Quarterback Bishop Davenport made his first start in a South Alabama uniform Saturday and threw for 227 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions. His primary targets were Jamaal Pritchett and Devin Voisin, who combined to make 13 catches. Pritchett finished the night with 67 yards and a touchdown while Voisin tallied 77 yards. True freshman Fluff Bothwell led the ground attack on the night with 70 yards and found the end zone for a second-consecutive week.
 
Linebacker Blayne Myrick paced the Jaguars defensively by recording double-digit tackles for the second-straight contest. His 10 takedowns made him the team leader for the second week in a row, and he led all players on both teams. Tyler Thomas and Carlos Johnson Jr. combined to force the first takeaway of the season for USA when Thomas tallied a strip-sack in the third quarter and Johnson jumped on it for the recovery. The Jags also got seven tackles from Jordan Scruggs while Jordan Norman recorded a sack.
 
Ohio jumped out to an early 10-0 lead in the game, but the Jaguars came fighting back and tied the game right before halftime thanks to Bothwell's touchdown and a field goal courtesy of Laith Marjan. The Bobcats were able to respond and storm down the field seconds before halftime to take a 17-10 lead into halftime.
           
Ohio scored the first touchdown of the second half to extend their lead, but South responded with a solid drive capped by a Davenport-Pritchett connection on a nine-yard touchdown strike. Marjan then hit another field goal from 38 yards out to cut the deficit to four. The Jaguar defense came up with a big three-and-out to get the offense the ball back near midfield with a chance to take the lead, but the drive stalled and South Alabama could not get over the hump as Ohio scored again and iced away the clock to win the game.
 
UP NEXT
 
The Jags will have a quick turnaround as they host Northwestern State on Thursday, Sept. 12 at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Kickoff is at 6:30 p.m. CT at the game will be broadcast on ESPN+.
 
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