South Alabama Loses Fourth-Straight with North Texas Loss

It was a game that felt just out of reach the whole way through for the Jaguars, as they went down early and never led or tied after the first quarter. They fall for the fourth straight week, losing on the road to North Texas 36-22.

In a game that was expected to be an offensive shootout, the first half was anything but. Defenses dominated most of the first half.

South Alabama started the game with the ball after losing the coin toss. The Jaguar offense would look great on the first drive, running the ball right down the field. They capped it off with a 4th-down touchdown run by Bishop Davenport.

North Texas quickly responded though, scoring just eight plays later on a Miles Coleman rushing score. For South Alabama on this drive, there was a big issue– safety Wesley Miller exited the game with injury, further depleting a South Alabama secondary already missing standout corner Ty Goodwill.

South Alabama would be forced to punt on their next drive, giving it back to North Texas, who moved the ball right down the field again. This time the Mean Green would stall in South Alabama territory, forced to kick a field goal– which North Texas missed.

South Alabama would get the ball back in the middle of the second quarter, moving the ball well before a Bishop Davenport interception gave North Texas the ball right back. The Mean Green would capitalize with a touchdown run, this time by Caleb Hawkins. The ensuing drive by South Alabama would get off to a great start, the Jags able to get into North Texas territory. However three straight holding penalties derailed the Jags’ momentum, South Alabama was forced to punt. North Texas went into the half leading 14-7.

The third quarter would start with North Texas driving right down the field, but deep in South Alabama territory a huge hit by Chris Wallace Jr. forced a fumble that the Jags would recover. The Jags however, would not be able to do anything on offense, forced to punt a few plays later.

𝗖𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗖𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗦𝗘.@kuppaiverson dislodges the ball for a @SouthAlabamaFB takeaway. ☀️🏈pic.twitter.com/xrJIZL4QXD

— Sun Belt Football (@SunBeltFB) September 27, 2025

The two offenses would finally start clicking later in the third quarter. North Texas would be the first to score. Hawkins breaking multiple tackles on a screen pass turned into a 68-yard touchdown. South Alabama responded though, a long drive capped off with a short touchdown pass to Rod Gibbs, his first of the season. South again be unable to stop North Texas though, the Mean Green scoring on another Caleb Hawkins touchdown run.

Now midway through the fourth quarter, down 14 points and deep into North Texas territory on a 4th down, South Alabama would have the ball. Bishop would throw a pass intended for Devin Voisin, but fall incomplete. However, a pass interference call would give the Jags another chance. They would score on a Kentrel Bullock touchdown run, also converting a two point conversion to cut the lead to six.

Bull won’t be denied 🐂 @Iamkentrel_1 pic.twitter.com/ctY1wfM4ey

— South Alabama Football 🏈 (@SouthAlabamaFB) September 27, 2025

This would be as close as it would get for South Alabama though, North Texas facing little resistance from South Alabama. Multiple missed tackles led to North Texas scoring on yet another Hawkins touchdown run. This would be the dagger for the Jags, they turned it over on downs, North Texas kneeling it out to win 36-22.

“Just disappointed… [the team’s] fighting hard, playing hard. I hate excuses, but they’re fighting hard [and] playing good,” said South Alabama head coach Major Applewhite. “You just can’t be stagnant like that on offense when the defense is playing their butt off against a good offense.”

Overall, a rough stretch of games gets worse, South Alabama with their worst start to a season since 2019. Penalties and mistakes on offense would be the main issue in this one for South Alabama. Only one turnover, which was a crucial one, but eight penalties for 80 yards, and in addition to those there were a number of penalties declined by North Texas. Injuries and missed tackles would be a big issue for the defense.

“It’s not the kids, it’s the coaches. We’ve got to always put it on ourselves and find ways to get guys in positions with confidence to go win,” said Applewhite.

North Texas would dominate this one statistically, 429 yards of total offense, 234 of those passing, 195 on the ground. Running Back Caleb Hawkins had a breakout game for the Mean Green, with 218 all-purpose yards, two rushing touchdowns and a receiving touchdown. Drew Mestemaker, despite a lighter load than usual still threw for 234 yards and two total touchdowns. Trey Fields with a monster game on defense, 14 total tackles and a pass breakup on the day.

Statistically it was not the worst performance for South Alabama, the Jags totaling 396 yards, including 200 yards rushing, 192 passing. It was not his best day, but Bishop Davenport had the best game on offense, completing 17-of-34 pass attempts for 195 yards, two total touchdowns, and one interception.

Defensive Back Christopher Wallace Jr. with a big game on defense, 13 tackles and a forced fumble. South Alabama struggled on third downs, only converting on 7-of-19 opportunities.

North Texas will have a bye week next week, while South Alabama will hit the road again still in search of their first FBS win of the year. It will be their first road conference game of the year, the Jags traveling to Troy for 14th installment of the Battle for the Belt.