by Jeff Clark, Staff Writer 

MOBILE (GG) — South Alabama turned to backup quarterback Jared Hollins and a productive rushing attack to hold off Ohio 41-36 Saturday night at Hancock Whitney Stadium.

Hollins made his first career start in place of Bishop Davenport, who was sidelined by an injury that lingered from the Jaguars’ loss to Tulane. Hollins completed 13 of 20 passes for 192 yards and a touchdown without an interception as South Alabama improved to 2-1.

Jaguars Coach Major Applewhite said Davenport was improving and could have played in a limited role, but the Jaguars decided not to push him.

“He had an injury that was lingering from the Tulane game,” Applewhite said. “It’s getting a lot better, and he would’ve been able to play in some capacity tonight, but I didn’t want him thinking about it too much.”

Hollins helped South Alabama score on each of its first four offensive possessions as the Jaguars built a 24-7 halftime lead.

Keenan Phillips opened the scoring with a 6-yard touchdown run before Hollins connected with Rod Gibbs for a 34-yard touchdown on fourth down. D.J. Moore then intercepted Ohio, and South Alabama capitalized 29 seconds later when Trae’von Dunbar broke free for a 32-yard touchdown run.

Davis Little added a 32-yard field goal late in the second quarter after the Jaguars put together an 18-play, 66-yard drive that consumed 7:57.

Ohio responded with touchdowns on its first two possessions of the second half to cut South Alabama’s lead to 24-21, but Hollins and the Jaguars answered.

Hollins connected with Micah Woods for 49 yards to set up PJ Martin’s 1-yard touchdown run. South Alabama later stretched the lead to 38-21 on a 14-play, 81-yard drive that took 7:53 off the clock and ended with Dunbar’s second touchdown, a 5-yard run.

Ohio continued to rally, but the South Alabama defense forced a turnover on downs before Little connected on a 21-yard field goal with 1:10 remaining. The Bobcats scored on the final play to win 41-36.

South Alabama finished with 458 yards of total offense, including 266 yards and four touchdowns on 50 rushing attempts. The Jaguars averaged 5.3 yards per carry and controlled the ball for 32:30.

Phillips led the ground attack with 116 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries. Martin added 80 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries, while Dunbar finished with 52 yards and a career-high two touchdowns on six attempts.

Jeremiah Jones-Thomas led South Alabama with six receptions for 74 yards, while Woods’ 49-yard catch was the Jaguars’ longest reception of the night.

South Alabama converted 8 of 15 third downs and both of its fourth-down attempts while going 5-for-5 in the red zone. The Jaguars committed no turnovers and scored 10 points off Ohio’s two turnovers.

Jordan Williams led the South Alabama defense with seven tackles, while Damyrion Darby recorded a career-high 1.5 sacks. Little was 2-for-2 on field goals and 5-for-5 on extra points, accounting for 11 points.

Applewhite praised Hollins for taking advantage of his opportunity.

“He took good care of the football,” Applewhite said. “I didn’t see many balls in jeopardy. He made a phenomenal play on a fourth-and-2 early in the ballgame, just continuing to keep the play alive.”

South Alabama now turns its attention to its nonconference finale Saturday at Kentucky in the first meeting between the programs. The Wildcats are also 2-1 after knocking off then-No. 9 Texas A&M 31-21 on Sept. 19 in College Station, scoring 21 unanswered points in the third quarter. Kentucky quarterback Kenny Minchey completed 14 of 18 passes for 252 yards and two touchdowns in the victory.

The Jaguars will open Sun Belt Conference play against ULM on Oct. 3.

(Photo by Aimee Cronan/The Gazebo Gazette via Associated Press)