Ohio sputters under the lights, lose 41-36 to South Alabama

The South Alabama Jaguars (2-1) took care of business against the Ohio Bobcats (1-2) on Saturday night, taking a largely on the strength of an unstoppable running game and two first-half turnovers. Ohio made it a game with a burst at the beginning of the third quarter but were ultimately unable to stop the Jaguars' offense.

The contest began though with offensive fireworks behind the backup QBs for both teams.

With the Jags' QB1 Bishop Davenport unable to go, Jared Hollins got his first career start. Hollins looked every part the natural, weaving the pass and run on a crisp opening drive. Halfback Keenan Phillips ran six-yards for the game's opening touchdown, ending a seven-play, 75-yard opening salvo.

Ohio QB Matt Vezza, playing in place of injured captain Nick Poulos, picked up where he left off in the second half of last week, piloting his club to a tying score on a five-yard slant pass to Riley Neer. Like drives last week, the Vezza venture took about half a quarter off the clock on the 13-play, 7:26 drive.

At this point, South 'Bama took control of the remainder of the half, with physical play by the home team supplemented by a few key lapses by the visitors extending the lead to 24-7.

South Alabama's second drive was like the first, another 75-yard touchdown drive. Key this time was, on fourth-and-three, Hollins made a beautiful 34-yard touchdown pass. Rolling to his right, Hollins bought time and dropped a dime to tight end Rod Gibbs crossing deep to the right.

Things looked promising for the visitors on the second offensive drive but quickly went south. On the march, Vezza's off-the-back foot throw, perhaps due to some pressure, looked underthrown and easily picked by safety DJ Moore. The Bobcats' compounded their misfortune by a personal foul at the end of the play, giving the Jags possession plus 15 yards. RB Trae'von Dunbar did the rest by running through a tackle and was off to the races for a 32-yard touchdown.

The 'Cats again looked poised to respond, but another long drive ended in no points when a miscommunication and low snap caromed off Vezza's leg at South Alabama's one-yard line and was recovered in the endzone by the home squad. Kicker Davis Little ultimately converted the Jags' good fortune into three points on a 32-yard field goal.

To start the third quarter, the 'Cats quickly clawed back, spearhead by big-time special teams plays which led to 14 points on four offensive plays. Like last week, the kickoff team, led by returner safety Darren James-Hamilton, provided a big spark-this time on a 56-yard return into Jags' territory. RB Victor Rosa and company cashed in on a 33-yard run off the left side.

The visitors pinned the home team deep on the ensuing kickoff and Ohio's defense forced a three-and-out, leaving the Jags punt team in the shadow of its own goalpost. A punting misadventure and penalty gave Ohio starting position at South Alabama's 25-yard line. The Bobcats wasted little time in converting for six, on a nine-yard pass from Vezza to Neer– their second connection of the evening– to cut the deficit to 24-21.

As they had done all night, the Jaguars were able to stop the bleeding and get some breathing room, extending the lead to 30-21 on a short, tough run by PJ Martin through a tackle on what initially looked like it could be a two-yard loss on third down. Setting up Martin's run was a 49-yard bomb in single coverage from Hollins to Micah Woods setting up first and goal at the Ohio one-yard line.

Down 38-21 about halfway through the fourth quarter, the Bobcat's brought in QB3, freshman Levi Davis for some action– resulting in two late touchdowns. The first, a 15-yard pass to AJ Miller in a good spot where only the big tight end could get it. The duo also added a two-point conversion. The passing touchdown was a career first for both Davis and Miller. Davis also connected on a 21-yard touchdown pass to WR Dom Dorwart late in the fourth to bring things to the final score, 41-38. Davis finished 9-of-15 passing for 121 yards, adding 27 yards on the ground.

Notes

Hats off to the home team, who won this game largely on the strength of a very impressive running game. South Alabama mixed their personnel groupings, controlling the action on the ground with 156 yards rushing in the first half alone in route to 266 yards on the day. The whole unit was impressive, with the supporting case regularly creating daylight, while multiple backs– led by Keenan Phillips– ran hard and with good vision to find and exploit the holes. Key was South Alabama was able to stay on schedule and how they converted several key third downs on short runs. Phillips finished with 116 yards rushing on the day.

South Alabama's QB2 Jared Hollins managed the action at a very high level for his first start, executing with poise and on money downs (third and fourth down). He deserves a game ball for this one.

Like the Jags under QB2, Ohio's offense looked capable in the hands of QB2 Matt Vezza, but the visitors had too many self-inflicted wounds in turnovers, untimely penalties and missed tackles to overcome in a game where the opponents' offense was this effective. Impressive, though, was how the 'Cats continued to battle for 60 minutes even though things did not go their way in the first half.

Liked what I saw today from backup QBs Matt Vezza and Ohio QB Levi Davis. For a true freshman, Davis has a bright future ahead of him in Athens, Ohio. He has the demeanor, competitiveness, and skill set to thrive in a Bobcat offense.

For the second week in a row, linebacker Michael Molnar led the club in tackles, this week with 16. As usual, DJ Walker had some great moments, finishing with nine tackles, three tackles-for-loss, and a pass-defensed.

The Bobcats heads back to Athens, Ohio to host Stonehill (FCS) next Saturday at 3:30 ET on ESPN+, while South Alabama hits the road to face the Kentucky Wildcats.