MOBILE, Ala. – South Alabama made big plays in all-three phases of the game in Saturday night's season-opener to defeat Morgan State, 38-21, and start the season 1-0.
 
KEY MOMENTS

• Kentrel Bullock scored the first touchdown of the season for the Jaguars at the 5:01 mark in the first quarter. Bullock's one-yard touchdown rush capped off an 11-play, 80-yard touchdown drive.
• With 25 seconds remaining in the first quarter, true freshman E'Mauri Smiley forced a fumble via a strip sack, and RJ Moss jumped on the loose ball for the recovery. The takeaway resulted in a 23-yard field goal by Hamilton DiBoyan, giving the Jags their first lead of the night.
• After a slow first half offensively, Anthony Eager caught a jet sweep from Bishop Davenport for a 19-yard touchdown right before halftime. The score put USA up 17-7.
• South Alabama got the ball back to start the second half and put together a 10-play, 75-yard drive resulting in a three-yard touchdown run by PJ Martin.
• Devin Voisin returned a punt 46 yards to the Morgan State four-yard line. Two plays later, Bullock punched in a two-yard score to respond to a Morgan State touchdown and give the Jaguars a 31-14 lead.
• On the following possession, Morgan State fumbled and Christopher Wallace Jr. recovered the ball on the 31-yard line. On the very next play, Davenport connected with Voisin for a 31-yard touchdown strike to put the game out of reach.

KEY STATS

• Davenport orchestrated an efficient passing attack, going 13-of-15 through the air on the night
• The South Alabama defense recorded four takeaways while the offense coughed up just one turnover, giving the Jaguars a plus-three advantage in the turnover margin
• USA's defense kept Morgan State behind the chains all game with 10 tackles for loss

NOTABLE

• Kentrel Bullock registered the fifth 100-yard rushing game of his career with 127 total yards
• Wesley Miller's interception in the second quarter was the fifth of his career
• Ty Goodwill set a career high in tackles against Morgan State with 11
• Smiley's strip stack in the first quarter occurred in his very first collegiate game. It led to the first fumble recovery of Moss' career
• Voisin's fourth-quarter touchdown was his first in two seasons
• South Alabama secured its first, season-opening victory since the 2022 campaign

QUOTEABLE
 
"Just had a good talk with the team in the locker room. Told them we're always grateful to win. But at the same time, we're very honest with ourselves. Very proud that we won the ball game. Very proud of the way our guys came together and played."
 
-Head Coach Major Applewhite
 
"It feels great. We can't take it for granted starting 1-0. It's good for momentum for the season, now we just have to build from there."
 
-Quarterback Bishop Davenport
 
"There was a lot of emotions going into it. I was excited. The first thing I thought about was my family. That's why I pointed up. It's just a really good feeling."
 
-Wide Receiver Devin Voisin
 
"It felt great just being around the ball and being able to tackle. First start, so I was a little nervous, but I got used to it."
 
-Safety Ty Goodwill
 
"We came in and did what we needed to do to get the win, but there's a lot of stuff we need to week on. This week's going to be big, preparing ourselves for our next opponent."
 
-Linebacker Blayne Myrick
 
UP NEXT
 
South Alabama will host Tulane on Saturday, Sept. 6 at Hancock Whitney Stadium. The Green Wave opened the 2025 season by defeating Northwestern, 23-3.
 
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