Football 9/14/2026 3:27:00 PM

South Alabama Returns Home to Host Ohio

GAME 3

South Alabama (1-1, 0-0 SBC) vs. Ohio (1-1, 0-0 MAC)
Date: Saturday, Sept. 19
Kickoff: 6 p.m. CT
Location: Mobile, Ala. (Hancock Whitney Stadium)
Watch: ESPN+
Listen: Jags Radio Network
Social: @SouthAlabamaFB
Tickets: USAJaguars.com/tickets/football

NOTES

South Alabama returns to Hancock Whitney Stadium after splitting its first two games of the season. The Jaguars opened the year with a 39-14 victory over Southeastern Louisiana before falling at Tulane, 28-24.
South Alabama leads the nation in time of possession, averaging 38:55 per game. The Jaguars established a program record with 40:09 of possession against Southeastern Louisiana before controlling the ball for 37:40 at Tulane, including 21:36 during the second half.
The Jaguars have run 158 offensive plays through two games while their opponents have combined for just 88.
Quarterback Bishop Davenport has completed 40-of-59 passes for 450 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions this season. Davenport set career highs with 296 passing yards and 346 yards of total offense at Tulane, completing 22-of-32 passes with two touchdowns while adding 50 yards on the ground.
Saturday's matchup will bring Davenport's South Alabama career full circle. He made his first start as a Jaguar against Ohio in 2024, completing 23 passes for 226 yards and a touchdown.
Brendan Jenkins has already surpassed his reception, receiving-yard and receiving-touchdown totals from the entire 2025 season. Jenkins has recorded 14 receptions for 197 yards and two touchdowns through two games, including career highs of nine catches and 119 yards at Tulane.
South Alabama has rushed for 423 yards and four touchdowns this season. PJ Martin leads the Jaguars with 142 rushing yards and has scored in each of the first two games, while Keenan Phillips has added 110 yards.
South Alabama has not committed a turnover through its first two games. Davenport has attempted 59 passes without an interception, and the Jaguars have not lost a fumble.
Safety Cole Blaylock leads South Alabama with 12 tackles. Blaylock recorded career highs with seven tackles and two tackles for loss at Tulane.
Kicker Davis Little has connected on four field goals and all seven of his extra-point attempts this season. After establishing a career long with a 35-yard field goal in the opener, Little surpassed that mark with a 40-yarder at Tulane.
South Alabama owns a 7-3 record against current members of the Mid-American Conference. The Jaguars are 3-0 when hosting a MAC opponent and have won five of their last six games against teams from the conference.

ABOUT OHIO

Ohio enters Saturday's matchup with a 1-1 record after falling at Nebraska, 49-21, in its season opener and defeating Jacksonville State, 29-27, in four overtimes last week.
Quarterbacks Nick Poulos and Matt Vezza have both seen significant action this season. Poulos has completed 16-of-36 passes for 180 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 81 yards and another score. Vezza is 10-of-13 passing for 80 yards and a touchdown and has added 72 yards on the ground.
Running back Duncan Brune leads Ohio's ground game with 98 yards on 27 attempts. The Bobcats have rushed for 304 yards and two touchdowns through two contests.
Riley Neer leads Ohio with 10 receptions for 142 yards and two touchdowns. Neer is averaging 14.2 yards per reception and 71 receiving yards per game.
DJ James-Hamilton has made an impact on special teams, returning three kickoffs for 142 yards and a touchdown. His 98-yard kickoff return is Ohio's longest play of the season.
Defensively, Jack Fries leads the Bobcats with 19 tackles, followed by Michael Molnar and JT Haskins with 17 apiece. Molnar has recorded two tackles for loss and forced a fumble.
Isaac Ackerman leads Ohio with two sacks and has totaled 13 tackles and two tackles for loss.
Kicker Will Hryszko has accounted for a team-high 15 points, connecting on four of his seven field-goal attempts with a long of 45 yards.
Ohio has converted 15-of-32 third-down opportunities and both of its fourth-down attempts. The Bobcats have scored on all five of their trips inside the red zone, including four touchdowns.

SERIES HISTORY

Saturday will mark the second all-time meeting between South Alabama and Ohio and the first played in Mobile.
Ohio won the first meeting between the programs, 27-20, on Sept. 7, 2024, at Peden Stadium in Athens.
South Alabama trailed 24-10 entering the fourth quarter of the 2024 matchup before scoring 10 unanswered points to pull within one possession.
Davenport made his first start in a South Alabama uniform in the previous meeting, completing 23-of-37 passes for 226 yards and a touchdown.
South Alabama has won two of their last three home games against MAC opponents, defeating Kent State in 2013, Bowling Green in 2021.
The Jaguars' most recent game against a MAC opponent came in the 2024 IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl, where South Alabama defeated Western Michigan, 30-23.

FOLLOW THE JAGS
For complete coverage of University of 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.

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Players Mentioned

#14 Cole Blaylock: S; 6' 0"; Senior

#4 Bishop Davenport: QB; 6' 2"; Fifth Year

#12 Brendan Jenkins: WR; 6' 0"; Senior

#35 Davis Little: K; 6' 0"; Junior

#0 PJ Martin: RB; 5' 10"; Senior

#3 Keenan Phillips: RB; 5' 10"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#14 Cole Blaylock
: 6' 0"; Senior
: S

#4 Bishop Davenport
: 6' 2"; Fifth Year
: QB

#12 Brendan Jenkins
: 6' 0"; Senior
: WR

#35 Davis Little
: 6' 0"; Junior
: K

#0 PJ Martin
: 5' 10"; Senior
: RB

#3 Keenan Phillips
: 5' 10"; Junior
: RB