Jaylin Lucas ran 80 yards for a touchdown against South Alabama, part of his 214 yards on just 11 carries. Tulane also beat the Jaguars by sustaining a possession. Kadin Semonza finished a seven-play, 78-yard drive with a touchdown pass to Destyn Hill with 1:17 remaining. South Alabama lost 28-24. The defense needs to prevent both the immediate escape and the series of gains that keeps an opponent moving toward the end zone.
Ohio visits Saturday, September 19, at 6 p.m. Central on ESPN+. Fan Watch gives South Alabama a 70% chance to win, making a home victory a reasonable expectation. The outside slate offers little help worth chasing this week; the interactive guide has the forecast, with its basis explained in the methodology.
South Alabama gave its defense plenty of time between possessions at Tulane. The offense held the ball for 37:40 and converted 10 of 16 third downs, while Tulane gained 424 yards on only 51 plays. Longer offensive possessions can limit an opponent's opportunities. They cannot compensate for allowing so much on each snap.
Todd Orlando arrived this season as defensive coordinator and inside-linebackers coach, alongside new defensive-line and safeties coaches. That puts the front and the defenders behind it under new instruction together. Watch whether they contain the runner and finish the tackle before a modest gain becomes an open-field chase. Orlando's unit held Southeastern Louisiana to 45 rushing yards in the opener; Tulane's rushing damage makes that encouraging start harder to trust as evidence of a lasting improvement.
Ohio brings a specific reason to watch the quarterback as well as the back. Against Jacksonville State, Matt Vezza ran for 67 yards on 12 carries, and Duncan Brune added 66 on 18. Those contributions accounted for most of Ohio's 165 rushing yards. South Alabama needs to account for both sources of yardage without letting attention to one free the other.
The personnel remains a complication. Nick Poulos and replacement Vezza both left that game injured; freshman Levi Davis made his debut and ran for the successful fourth-overtime conversion. Ohio's game report documents those exits without establishing who will be available Saturday. Whoever takes the snap, the Jaguars still have to contain him.
Bishop Davenport threw for 296 yards and two touchdowns without an interception at Tulane, with Brendan Jenkins catching nine passes for 119 yards. With last year's leading receiver Devin Voisin gone, Jenkins is giving Davenport a dependable target. The Jaguars also have to replace Kentrel Bullock's rushing production. Their three-back committee gained 195 yards in the opener and 132 at Tulane; keeping that group productive alongside the emerging passing partnership matters to sustaining drives. Davenport made his first South Alabama start against Ohio in 2024; this meeting offers a chance to keep developing his connection with Jenkins. Look for completions that extend possessions as well as throws that threaten a quick score.
South Alabama followed consecutive bowl victories in 2023 and 2024 with a 4-8 season in 2025. Beating Ohio would move the Jaguars a win closer to returning to a bowl. After Tulane, Major Applewhite rejected a moral victory, citing execution across all three phases and the need to close those road games. Tulane sustained its winning touchdown drive despite South Alabama's possession advantage. If Ohio puts together a late drive, watch for Orlando's defense to get Davenport the ball back before the Bobcats reach the end zone.