University of South Alabama Athletics

LAFAYETTE, La. – South Alabama rallied from an 11-point second-half deficit to pull within two, but fell to Louisiana 28-26 Saturday at Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium. The Jags dropped to 4-5 overall and 2-3 in Sun Belt play, while the Cajuns improved to 6-3 on the year and 3-2 in conference action. 

Key Moments

• Louisiana wasted no time as JJ Garner returned the opening kickoff for 100 yards. South Alabama finally responded with 2:11 to go in the first quarter with a one-yard touchdown run from quarterback Bishop Davenport. 
• Garner ripped off another long touchdown, this time with a 65-yard touchdown run that was part of a five-play drive. The Cajuns went 86 yards in 2:15 to take a 14-7 lead nine seconds into the second quarter. 
• Jaylen Moson created South Alabama's first turnover in 10 quarters and took a 72-yard interception return to the house. It was the Jags' first pick-since since Blaine Myrick took a 33-yard interception for a score against Texas State on Nov. 29, 2024. 
• Louisiana answered right back on an 8-play, 78-yard drive that was capped off with a 14-yard touchdown run from quarterback Lunch Winfield. 
• The Cajuns extended their lead to 28-17 on a 27-yard touchdown pass from Winfield in the third quarter. 
• Dylan Freebury booted a 44-yard field goal with 1:12 left in that half that cut the Louisiana lead to 21-17. At the time, it was Freebury's career long. 
• South Alabama answered just two plays later as Davenport found Brendan Jenkins for a 44 yard gain before breaking loose the next play for a 45 yard rushing touchdown. The two-point attempt was unsuccessful, leaving the USA trailing 28-23. 
• Freebury connected on a career-long 50 yard field goal with 10:26 remaining in the final frame to cut the deficit to 28-26. 
• After its defense held strong on the next two possessions, the Jags got the ball back and Davenport connected with Rod Gibbs on a 23-yard pitch and catch. Louisiana intercepted a pass with 1:29 remaining and picked up a game clinching first down to secure the win. 

Key Stats

• South Alabama finished with 369 yards of total offense, including 210 passing yards from Davenport in his first start since his injury at Tulane. Louisiana totaled 469 yards of offense with 312 coming on the ground. 
• Davenport completed 16-of-22 passes and added a team-high 61 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 10 carries. 
• Brendan Jenkins caught six passes for a team-high 101 yards. 
• Jaylen Moson returned an interception for 72 yards, forcing the first South Alabama turnover since the Arkansas State game. It was the first pick-six since Blaine Myrick returned a 33-yard score against Texas State on Nov. 29, 2024.
• The Jags tied a season-high three sacks with E'mauri Smiley, Tre'Mon Henry, and Christian Ross all totaled one each. 
• In his third straight start, Seidrion Langston recorded a team-high eight tackles with six solo stops. 

Notables

• Louisiana extended their series lead to 11-4 with the 28-26 win. 
• South Alabama moved to 2-3 on the season against Louisiana schools. The two wins were over Southeastern Louisiana and ULM. 
• Louisiana's 312 rushing yards were the second-most South Alabama has allowed this season, trailing the 390 yards Kentucky had on Sept. 26. 
• The South Alabama defense recorded three sacks tonight, which tied its season high and matched the three sacks at Kentucky. 
• Louisiana's seven second-half points are tied for the fewest allowed in the final two quarters by the South Alabama defense this season, tying the second-half performances against Southeastern Louisiana and Louisiana Tech. 
• South Alabama trailed in the time of possession category for only the third game this season. It was the first time it trailed since the Arkansas State game. 
• Dylan Freebury's 44 yard field goal at the 1:13 mark of the 2nd quarter marked a career-long and the longest field goal made this year. That was brief as he later drilled a 50-yard field goal in the third quarter. It was the fourth-longest in program history and longest since Diego Guajardo hit a 51-yard at Texas State on Nov. 25, 2023. 

Up Next 
South Alabama returns home to host Troy at Hancock Whitney Stadium next Saturday. The Battle for the Belt will kick at 6 p.m. on ESPN+.