by Jeff Clark, Staff Writer
MOBILE (GG) — South Alabama opened Sun Belt Conference play with a 52-35 Homecoming victory over Louisiana Monroe (ULM) on Saturday night, October 3 at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile. The Jaguars improved to 3-2 overall and 1-0 in conference play while moving to 3-0 at home this season, their best home start since 2022. South Alabama also improved to 11-4 in Homecoming games and has won five straight against ULM.
Quarterback Jared Hollins threw for 321 yards and three touchdowns, becoming South Alabama’s first 300-yard passer since Gio Lopez threw for 423 yards against North Texas in 2024.
South Alabama struck quickly. On the Jaguars’ second offensive play, Hollins connected with Brendan Jenkins for a 72-yard touchdown just 52 seconds into the game. Less than a minute later, Damyrion Darby forced a fumble and Masey Lewis returned the recovery for a touchdown, giving the Jaguars a 14-0 lead.
Keenan Phillips and PJ Martin each added 1-yard touchdown runs as South Alabama built a 28-7 advantage. Davis Little kicked a 37-yard field goal just before halftime to give the Jaguars a 31-14 lead.
Hollins connected with Anthony Eager for touchdown passes of 35 and 69 yards in the second half. Eager finished with a career high in receiving yards and became South Alabama’s first player with at least 150 receiving yards in a game since Devin Voisin in 2025.
Trae’von Dunbar capped the scoring with a 32-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter. Dunbar led the Jaguars with 91 rushing yards, while Martin finished with 58 yards and Phillips added 42.
South Alabama finished with 570 yards of offense and posted its first 50-point game since an 87-10 win over Northwestern State in 2024.
“I’m very, very pleased with the win,” South Alabama coach Major Applewhite said. “It wasn’t all pretty, but at the same time, we found a way to win.”
Hollins was later named to the Davey O’Brien Great 8 list for his performance.
The Jaguars now face a quick turnaround with a road game Thursday against Arkansas State.
South Alabama has scored on 18 of 21 red-zone opportunities this season and ranks eighth nationally in time of possession at 33:56 per game.
Arkansas State enters the matchup 2-3 overall and 0-1 in Sun Belt play. The Red Wolves lead the all-time series 8-6 and have won the past two meetings, both by two points or fewer. Arkansas State won 15-14 last season in Mobile.
South Alabama and Arkansas State kick off at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Centennial Bank Stadium in Jonesboro, Arkansas. The game will air on ESPN2.
(Photos by Aimee Cronan/The Gazebo Gazette via Associated Press)
