Week 12 Preview: South Alabama at ULM

The South Alabama Jaguars will travel to Monroe to take on ULM this weekend, in what will be the 12th all time meeting between the two schools.

It has been very disappointing season for both ULM and South Alabama, ULM needing to win out to become bowl eligible, while South Alabama was eliminated from bowl contention following its loss to Louisiana.

South Alabama

Preseason expectations do not always match what happens during the season and no team knows that better than South Alabama. South Alabama was expected by most to be competing for a bowl spot, or even a conference championship appearance this year. Instead South finds themselves at 2-7, needing a win to avoid matching their worst season in program history.

This rough season has not been as ugly as the record may indicate though, aside from a few games, South has found themselves either down two scores or less, or with a second half lead in every single FBS game this season. This includes an overtime loss to Troy, a loss on a last second field goal to Arkansas State and their last game, a nine point homecoming loss to Louisiana. However, South Alabama has only managed to win one of these close games, a game against Georgia State they won thanks to a late turnover.

Given these pre-season expectations and close games, it has not been an issue of talent for South Alabama and that can be seen in their statistical leaders. At quarterback South Alabama is led by Bishop Davenport, who has thrown for 12 touchdowns averaging 185 yards per game. Kentrel Bullock leads them on the ground with 8 touchdowns and averaging 81 yards per game. Devin Voisin at receiver has had a particularly spectacular year with four touchdowns, averaging 75 yards per game.

Among issues with play calling and penalties, South Alabama has had major struggles on special teams this year. South Alabama ranks 130th in special teams efficiency among 136 FBS teams. The Jags have the eighth worst field goal percentage in the nation and are have the third worst extra point percentage in the country.

Defense has also been a concern for the Jags in recent weeks. South Alabama has given up more thirty points in seven of their last eight games. South has struggled to stop the run in particular, giving up nearly 200 rushing yards per game. However, South has still done a fairly good job at stopping the pass, as they are only giving up an average of 186 yards per game, third best in the conference. This has been in large part due to the strong play by Nehemiah Chandler who ranks first in the conference in passes defended.

Most forced incompletions, Sun Belt CBs:

Nehemiah Chandler, South Alabama: 11
Ethan Johnson, App State: 9
Ian Foster, Southern Miss: 8
Anthony Richard Jr., Southern Miss: 8
Jaquez White, Troy: 8
Bernard Causey, Georgia State: 7
Justin Eaglin, JMU:7
DJ Barksdale, JMU:7
Zion… pic.twitter.com/YHuU2J0v2V

— Cam Mellor (@CamMellor) November 11, 2025

Injuries could also play a big role in this one for the Jags. South Alabama will be missing multiple impact players including running back PJ Martin, receiver Brendan Jenkins, lineman Jordan Davis, and linebacker Caleb Dozier.

“There’s spirit in practice, there was competition, there was competitiveness, so it seemed like the off week we had helped rejuvenate their minds and their bodies a little bit. They were in good spirits and had a good practice this morning,” said Coach Applewhite on practice during the bye week.

Overall, for South Alabama to win this one they are going to need a good game through the air. Bishop Davenport has been serviceable, but with the running back room dealing with injuries, South is going to have to be able to pass the ball effectively. Limiting mistakes will be very important, while South Alabama has committed less penalties in recent weeks, the Jags can not afford to help out the struggling ULM offense.

ULM

Another season, the same result so far for Louisiana-Monroe who needs to string together three straight wins to make their first bowl appearance since 2012. This year has been full of inconsistency by the Warhawks, who have a big win over Arkansas State, but have also been blown out in a number of other games including their last game against Old Dominion. The Warhawks enter this one after a tough stretch of conference opponents in which they lost five straight. However, the schedule does lighten up to end the year, as none of ULM’s remaining opponents have a .500 or above record.

“I thought last week’s bye was at a crucial time. I thought our kids were able to recover and able to get ready for this last three game stretch. You know, anytime you get rest, it’s an opportunity really just to to refocus. And what your rest really is is we’re resting up for this final push. And that’s how we look at it. You know, we know we’ve had a tough stretch right here. we’re not concerned about what’s behind us,” said coach Bryant Vincent.

The biggest issue for ULM this year has been the offense. ULM only averages 17 points per game, which ranks them dead last in Sun Belt scoring offenses. A large part of those issues, has been due to the pass game. Aidan Armenta has thrown seven interceptions compared to only eight touchdowns, as well as only averaging 134 passing yards per game. The run game has been marginally better, with backs Zach Palmer-Smith and former South Alabama Jaguar Braylon McReynolds acting as the primary backs. The Warhawks averaging a total of 178 yards per game rushing.

The defense on the other hand, while not elite has been the brighter spot on this ULM team. The Warhawks ranking fourth best in the conference in terms of yards allowed. The Warhawks holding teams to just over 370 yards per game and of those only 134 rushing yards per game. This is helped by the strong play of linebacker Noah Flemmings, who has the fourth most tackles for loss in the Sun Belt.

The key to this one for the Warhawks will be continuing to stop the run against a run first South Alabama team. On the flipside, on offense ULM will need to be able to run the ball well themselves. South Alabama has struggled to stop the run, and forcing them to sell out to stop it, may open up more pass opportunities. Capitalizing on South Alabama mistakes may prove to be important as well.