South Alabama Takes Down Southern Miss 42-35

South Alabama won their second straight game, getting the big senior night win, as they upset Southern Miss 42-35. This was the Jags’ sixth straight win over the Eagles, who have never beaten South Alabama.

“Just really happy to get a home win against a quality opponent,” said Coach Applewhite, “I’m really proud of our guys, just really happy that our seniors were able to take their pads off winners at home.”

Despite the close final score, this game never really felt close. South Alabama dominated the first three quarters before a Southern Miss comeback attempt fell short in the fourth quarter. This one stung for the Golden Eagles, but it did not cost them much, as Southern Miss still controls their destiny to the Sun Belt title game in a huge winner take all game against Troy next Saturday.

South Alabama came out of the gates aggressive, electing to receive the opening kick. They had a long first drive, bringing it to the redzone, including converting on a fourth and medium on the way. They would go for it on fourth down at the Southern Miss four-yard line, but get stopped this time. Southern Miss would do nothing on their ensuing possession, forced to punt it right back to the Jags.

In an interesting move, backup quarterback Jared Hollins would take the field for the Jaguars in place of starter Bishop Davenport and led South Alabama quickly down the field. They scored on a Keenan Phillips touchdown run. After forcing a three and out on the next drive by Southern Miss, South Alabama got the ball right back. Bishop Davenport back in at quarterback this time, and despite the quarterback change, a similar result to their last possession. The Jags ran the ball right down the field, scoring on a Kentrel Bullock touchdown run.

Southern Miss’ third drive would go no better three and out yet again, punting it back to South Alabama. The Eagles would finally get something to go their way late in the second, a South Alabama turnover on downs led to a flea flicker touchdown to Carl Chester went 52 yards for a touchdown. This positive momentum did not last long though, South Alabama responding with another touchdown drive to head to the half leading 21-7.

🤌🤌🤌 https://t.co/p33CFHicNs pic.twitter.com/TQqHb5Jxvf

— Southern Miss Football (@SouthernMissFB) November 22, 2025

Southern Miss was happy to just be down 14 after a disaster of a half in Mobile. They had just five first downs and only 113 yards in the first half. South Alabama meanwhile had 288 yards and over 22 minutes of possession.

Southern Miss would start with the ball in the second half and it would not be much better for the Golden Eagles. On the first play from scrimmage Braylon Braxton threw an interception to South Alabama’s Cole Blaylock. The return was called a touchdown on the field, but later overturned. The Jaguars punched it in two plays later instead on a design run by quarterback Bishop Davenport. After another three and out by the Eagles, and yet another touchdown drive by the Jaguars. South Alabama went up 35-7, South Alabama’s biggest lead in a game this year.

𝙂𝙞𝙢𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩, @ColeBlaylock_14 🙌 pic.twitter.com/Y5ZTPaKJPV

— South Alabama Football 🏈 (@SouthAlabamaFB) November 22, 2025

The Golden Eagles would finally get something going on their next possession, a long six minute drive with multiple fourth down conversions ending in a Jefferey Pittman touchdown. Then after empty possessions by both teams, Southern Miss would score quickly on a Braxton touchdown pass to make it just a two possession game. South Alabama responded just three plays later though, scoring on a 64-yard rush by Kentrel Bullock.

ALL HAIL 👑#LSF | @Iamkentrel_1 pic.twitter.com/NKdj3NDwo5

— South Alabama Football 🏈 (@SouthAlabamaFB) November 22, 2025

This however was not the dagger, Southern Miss got the ball back and scored very quickly themselves thanks to a number of big passes by Braylon Braxton. They then forced a stop, and got the ball back deep in their own territory with a chance to make it a one possession game.

A holding penalty though backed the Golden Eagles up even further. This controversial call by the refs could have resulted in a safety, but after some deliberation placed the ball at the half yard line instead. Southern Miss did not waste this opportunity and drove 99 yards for a touchdown, cutting the lead to just one possession with one minute to go. They had to go for the onside kick, but did not recover. South Alabama able to kneel it out, winning 42-35.

“I was pleased with the way we executed and were aggressive early and we ran the ball well. The main thing we talked about, was number one, we cannot turn over the football against this team. We cannot give them an extra possession. We did a good job of taking care of the ball. We had some loose balls, but we didn’t give one up,” said Coach Applewhite.

South Alabama picked up their first home FBS since October of 2024, snapping a six game losing streak. They had a big game on offense, 449 total yards, 186 of those passing yards, 263 yards on the ground. Their offense fueled by a huge game by Kentrel Bullock. He had 187 rushing yards and three touchdowns. This pushed him to over 1000 career rushing yards. It was a quiet day through the air, but Bishop Davenport was still able to complete 20-of-23 pass attempts for 151 yards and a touchdown. He also had 15 yards on the ground and two touchdowns. In addition to his interception, Blayne Myrick was also able to get nine tackles including one tackle for loss.

Despite a slow start, Southern Miss ended up putting on a show in the second half on offense, ending with 441 yards of offense only 41 of those rushing. Due to the Jags leading this one throughout, Southern Miss was forced to pass the ball much of the game. Braylon Braxton, who played through an injury still totaled 400 yards passing for three touchdowns and an interception. Carl Chester was the top player on the receiving end with five receptions for 128 yards and two touchdowns. Defense was the main issue for the Golden Eagles in this one.

“Appreciate the guys’ fight, appreciate the guys’ effort, but we didn’t coach well enough, didn’t play well enough to beat a good team. We’ve got to go back, we have to regroup, and figure out how we can play a full game of football,” said Coach Charles Huff

South Alabama, who has already been eliminated from bowl contention, will end their season next Saturday in San Marcos, taking on Texas State in the Bobcats’ final game in the Sun Belt. Meanwhile, despite the loss Southern Miss will will host Troy next Saturday in Hattiesburg, the winner going on to the Sun Belt title game to take on James Madison.