Tulane Green Wave Vs South Alabama Jaguars Preview
What to expect from USA Offense and Defense
Roll Dat Wave Pod drops tmr w/@greenwavecolin! Full Preview breakdown and more!
What South Alabama’s offense is:
Head coach Major Applewhite is calling the plays himself after taking over mid-2025. It is a multiple-spread system that wants to run first, stay on schedule, and live in the short-to-intermediate passing game.
They do not take many deep shots. Last year they ranked 121st nationally in pass attempts per game. Week 1 this year they rushed 59 times for 241 yards.
That is the identity.
QB Bishop Davenport started all 12 games in 2025:
200-of-294 (68%), 2,073 yards, 12 TD, 6 INT, plus 325 rushing yards and 9 rushing TDs. He is efficient when he is completing 70%+. When he dips below that, USA went 0-7 last year.
He is a throw-on-the-run, keep-it-alive quarterback, not a 60-yard bomber. Vs Tulane last September he was good: 17-of-24, 231 yards, 2 passing TDs, 63 rush yards, 1 rushing TD.
Week 1 vs SELA: 18-of-27, 154 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT, plus a rushing score. Backup is Jared Hollins.
Running backs by committee, by design. Kentrel Bullock (1,085 yards last year) is gone. In his place:
• PJ Martin 18-69-1 vs SELA; 5.4 ypc last year
• Keenan Phillips 13-66 vs SELA; 605 yards in 2025
• Trae’von Dunbar 13-60-1 vs SELA
All three finished between 60 and 69 yards in Week 1. Nobody is the featured back. They will lean on volume and Davenport keepers.
Wide Receivers:
The problem is they lost Devin Voisin, who had 8 catches for 152 yards and 2 TDs against Tulane last year (including a 65-yard score).
Returning pieces: Anthony Eager (top returning target, 40 catches in 2025, more of a possession guy), Brendan Jenkins (5-78-1 vs SELA), Micah Woods, Jeremiah Jones-Thomas.
Tight end Rod Gibbs is in the mix. This group can move chains. It has not shown a true vertical threat yet this season.
Offensive line is the question mark. Last year’s unit ran well; this year’s line lost most of its starters. Ethan Hubbard (RT) and Kenton Jerido (C) are the veterans.
Week 1 vs an FCS team they still ran for 241, so the committee can function.
How it matches Tulane this week
Tulane just allowed 227 rushing yards and 2 TDs to Nate Sheppard on 35 carries. Edge setting and run fits were a problem in Durham.
That is exactly what Applewhite will try to exploit: inside zone, duo, QB keepers, and a three-back rotation that does not let the Wave pin its ears back.
Last year USA had 190 rush yards and 421 total on Tulane and still lost because they went scoreless in the second and third quarters.
The script they want Saturday:
1. Establish Martin/Phillips/Dunbar early so Davenport can keep and throw play-action.
2. Get Jenkins and Eager involved on timing throws, Davenport’s comfort zone.
3. Avoid the mid-game stall that killed them in Mobile.
What South Alabama’s defense was last year
The 2025 Jaguars allowed 30.4 points (110th nationally) and 176.6 rushing yards per game at 4.8 yards per carry. They could not get to the quarterback. Vs Tulane they gave up 241 rushing yards and three rushing TDs on 45 carries. Jake Retzlaff and Zuberi Mobley ran through them. Pass defense was more respectable (205 ypg), but the front never consistently collapsed the pocket.
They also lost pieces that now wear green: Ed Smith IV and Dalton Hughes transferred to Tulane. Starters Blayne Myrick, Darius McKenzie, and Wesley Miller are gone too.
What it is this year:
New DC Todd Orlando (USF the last three years; coached with Applewhite at Houston). He is not running last year’s “keep it in front of you” 4-2-5 as a religion.
He said the package will be multiple four-man/three-man, nickel, dime fitted to personnel, and more attacking. Co-DC Jason Washington still runs the corners.
Front and edge:
This was the weakest group on paper after the portal purge.
Returning:
Stephen Johnson (NT), Emmanuel Waller, Tyler Carter, E’Mauri Smiley.
Portal help:
Mase Lewis (McNeese), Christian Ross (Holy Cross), Dylan Chiedo (Furman). Tirrell Johnson is the hybrid/edge they lean on (54 tackles, 5 TFL last year). Week 1 they had only one sack vs SE Louisiana.
Linebackers:
Tirrell Johnson, Tre’Mon Henry, Parker Shattuck, Seidrion Langston (ULM transfer), Kaydon Degraffenreid, Caleb Dozier.
This room is supposed to be the stabilizer while the line develops.
Secondary:
More continuity here. Jayvon Henderson (CB), Cole Blaylock (S), Dallas Young (FS), Damyrion Darby.
Portal:
Jaylen Moson (Utah) and DJ Moore (Georgia Tech). Week 1 both Darby and Moson got interceptions on SELA’s first couple of series.
Week 1 tape (vs SE Louisiana)
Held SELA to 231 yards, 45 rushing yards, and 0-for-7 on third down. Two interceptions, one sack. Possession was 40:09–19:51 because the offense sat on the ball, but the defense also never let SELA convert.
The caveat: SELA’s two scores were both four-play explosives. When they could not hit a chunk play, they went nowhere. That is the binary Orlando’s group imposed, score fast or punt. It will not be that easy against an FBS offense that can motion TEs and superbacks.
The game within the game for USA’s D:
1. Run fits vs a broken ground game. Last year they could not stop Tulane’s run. If Orlando’s front stays gap-sound, Semonza is forced into obvious passing downs, which is when a blitz-happy DC wants to live.
2. Blitz vs Semonza’s timing. Semonza gets the ball out faster than Chriss. Hall will use motion, TEs (Dawson Johnson, Vance Bolyard), and the superback (Jaylin Lucas) to muddy hot reads. If USA sends extra and does not get there, Hill and the intermediate game can eat.
3. Explosives. SELA beat them twice with quick-strike TDs. Hill and CJ Lewis already showed they can take one. USA cannot give up that same shot and survive if Tulane’s offense finally finishes a drive.
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