South Alabama will begin its 17th football season on Saturday, August 30, facing Morgan State at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile. The game is scheduled for a 6 p.m. CT kickoff and will be broadcast on ESPN+ and the Jags Radio Network.
The Jaguars aim to secure their first season-opening win since defeating Nicholls in 2022, following consecutive losses in their last two openers. This offseason, South Alabama brought in 31 transfers, with transfer players making up about 65 percent of new additions for the upcoming season. The team returns 42 percent of its production from last year, placing it at 109th among FBS programs for returning production.
Head coach Major Applewhite expressed anticipation for the start of the season. “This is what we’ve been waiting for. These are the three months you wait for as a football player and a coach to go have fun. I’m excited and ready to watch our team on Saturday.”
Defensive coordinator Will Windham discussed the defense’s approach this year: “When people turn on the tape, we want people to see that our brand of football is getting to the football with bad intentions. That’s what we want our guys to do, and we want to live that every snap of every game.”
Offensive coordinator Paul Petrino commented on quarterback Bishop Davenport’s progress: “The more experience you get, the more confident you are, the more you feel really comfortable in the office. Playing in that bowl game, playing in the game against Ohio, going through spring, going all summer, he’s just got a lot more experience. He understands the offense way better.”
Morgan State enters this matchup after finishing last season with a .500 record under head coach Damon Wilson, who starts his fourth year leading the Bears with an overall record of 14-19 over three seasons. The Bears feature both MEAC’s Offensive Player of the Year Jason Collins Jr., and Defensive Player of the Year Erick Hunter.
This will mark the first meeting between South Alabama and Morgan State on the football field. Since joining Division I fully, South Alabama has posted an 11-1 record against FCS opponents.
Fans can follow updates about South Alabama football through @SouthAlabamaFB on social media or by visiting usajaguars.com.
