GAME 1
South Alabama (0-0, 0-0 SBC) vs. Southeastern Louisiana (0-1, 0-0 SLC)
Date: Saturday, Sept. 5
Kickoff: 6Â p.m. CT
Location: Mobile, Ala. (Hancock Whitney Stadium)
Watch: ESPN+
Listen:Â Jags Radio Network
Social:Â @SouthAlabamaFB
Tickets:Â USAJaguars.com/tickets/football
NOTES
– Saturday's contest will kick off the 18th season of South Alabama Football. The Jaguars are 10-7 all-time in season openers and have scored at least 17 points in every season opener in program history. South has also won three of its last four home openers.
– South Alabama enters 2026 with plenty of experience in the running game. Preseason All-Sun Belt selections Keenan Phillips, Ethan Hubbard and Kenton Jerido headline a group that helped the Jaguars average 199.8 rushing yards per game last season, which was 18th best in the entire country. Phillips, PJ Martin, and Trae'von Dunbar all return in the backfield.
– Defensive coordinator Todd Orlando reunites with head coach Major Applewhite after the two previously coached together at Houston in 2015 and 2016. With Applewhite coordinating the offense and Orlando leading the defense, Houston posted a 22-4 record over those two seasons.
– Quarterback Bishop Davenport enters the season as one of just 27 quarterbacks nationally named to the 2026 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Watch List. Davenport accounted for 2,633 yards of total offense and 20 touchdowns last season.
- South Alabama returns six defensive starters and six offensive starters from a year ago. The six returning offensive starters are Kenton Jerido (C), Ethan Hubbard (RT), Bishop Davenport (QB), Rod Gibbs (TE), Brendan Jenkins (WR) and Anthony Eager (WR). Defensively, South returns Tre'Mon Henry (BB), Stephen Johnson (NT), Damyrion Darby ($), Cole Blaylock (SAF), Dallas Young (FS) and Jayvon Henderson (CB).
ABOUT SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA
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The Lions are led by head coach Frank Scelfo, who is in his ninth season at Southeastern Louisiana and owns a 53-40 record with the program.
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Kyle Lowe leads the Lions offense at Quarterback, accounting for three touchdowns against Houston Christian with two passing and one coming on the ground.Â
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 Saturday will be the Lions' first road game of the season before they return home to host North Alabama on Sept. 12.
SERIES HISTORY
South Alabama and Southeastern Louisiana have met just once previously, with the Jaguars owning a 1-0 advantage in the series. The lone meeting came in Mobile on Sept. 9, 2023, when South Alabama earned a 35-17 victory over the Lions.Â
FOLLOW THE JAGS
For complete coverage of University South Alabama athletics, follow the Jaguars on social media @SouthAlabama (Twitter), /SouthAlabamaAthletics (Facebook), @SouthAlabama (Instagram), or visit the official home of South Alabama athletics at USAJaguars.com.
