Overview

• Freshman Caleb Hawkins totaled 140 rushing yards and 78 receiving yards with three touchdowns, including a 27-yard run in the final minutes that sealed the win.
• Quarterback Drew Mestemaker went 14-of-26 for 234 yards and a touchdown and added a rushing score, with Miles Coleman also scoring on a run.
• South Alabama fell to 1-4 for the first time since 2019 as third-down struggles (7-for-19), a deep-field turnover, and penalties undercut nearly 400 yards of offense.
• Special teams proved costly for the Jaguars with an offside negating an onside-kick recovery, a 44-yard return allowed on the re-kick, and a punt interference penalty.
• Head coach Major Applewhite criticized coaching after the loss, and South Alabama heads to Troy next for the Battle for the Belt.