By: Caleb Seaver, Contributing Writer

MOBILE, Ala. – South Alabama won their season opener Saturday, August 30, defeating FCS opponent Morgan State 38-21, their first season opening win since 2022.

It was the first ever meeting between South Alabama and Morgan State, this game only being scheduled months in advance due to Florida A&M backing out of the matchup just a few weeks earlier. Morgan State and South Alabama agreed to the game in January.

The game itself was sloppy,, with turnovers being one of the main themes of this one. Morgan State showed this by starting the game with a fumble on the opening kickoff. However, they did recover and started the game with the ball. This fumble did not slow the Bears down, quickly driving down the field and scoring on a Jason Collins Jr. touchdown run.

The first possession for South Alabama was very similar, though they did not fumble the kickoff. Instead, they drove right down the field scoring a touchdown of their own on a Kentrell Bullock run.

After getting a stop on defense, South Alabama would get the ball back. However, a fumble would give the Bears the ball right back. Then, just two plays later, South Alabama’s RJ Moss Jr. would recover a Morgan State fumble. The Jags would capitalize this time, driving down the field, scoring on a 23-yard field goal.

Morgan State moved the ball well on offense over their next few possessions, but turned the ball over two more times to close out the first half. South Alabama did score a touchdown to head to the half leading 17-7.

The start of the second half would be all offense, both teams scoring a touchdown on their first possession of the half. South Alabama scoring on a touchdown run by PJ Martin, Morgan State scoring on another touchdown run by Collins Jr.

It was a close game entering the fourth quarter, South Alabama only leading by 10, before the Jags finally started to roll. A great punt return by Devin Voisin. set the Jags up in the redzone, and they scored with another touchdown run by Kentrell Bullock.

After another Morgan State turnover, South Alabama would score again, this time on a Bishop Davenport pass to Devin Voisin. This put the game out of reach for the Bears. Morgan State would score another touchdown late in the game, but South Alabama still won the game 38-21.

It was a fairly even game stat wise, with 364 total yards of offense for South Alabama compared to Morgan State’s 326 yards. The turnovers were the big separator though, with four turnovers for Morgan State, one for South Alabama.

“We’re very grateful, we’ll always be grateful to win. You can’t look a gift horse in the mouth, we won the football game, a lot of new faces, a lot of new coaches. At the same time, there is so much stuff we’ve got to get better at,” said Coach Major Applewhite.

South Alabama would be individually led on offense by senior running back Kentrell Bullock. Bullock rushed for 127 yards and two touchdowns. The Jags would be led on defense by Ty Goodwill, who led the team with 10 total tackles.

“It felt great, being around the ball, being able to tackle, it just felt great. It was my first start, I was kind of nervous, but felt great,” said Ty Goodwill on his performance.

More information about this game and all South Alabama athletics are available on usajaguars.com.