If you were looking for a clean, textbook season opener when the South Alabama Jaguars took on the Morgan State Bears, you probably walked away disappointed. It was sloppy. It was loud. And honestly, for a good chunk of the first half, it was anyone’s game.
Most people look at the final score of South Alabama Jaguars football vs Morgan State Bears football—a 38-21 victory for the Jags—and assume it was just another FBS vs. FCS blowout. But that’s not really what happened. If you actually watched the game at Hancock Whitney Stadium on August 30, 2025, you saw a Morgan State team that refused to play the role of the sacrificial lamb.
The Chaos of the First Quarter
The game didn't start with a bang so much as a fumble. Morgan State coughed the ball up on the very first kickoff. You’d think that would be the end of it, right? Wrong. The Bears recovered their own mistake and proceeded to march 80 yards down the field like they owned the place.
Jason Collins Jr. punched it in from two yards out to give Morgan State a 7-0 lead. The stadium went a little quiet. You could feel the "here we go again" energy from the Jaguars faithful, especially since South Alabama hadn't won a season opener since 2022.
South Alabama’s new head coach, Major Applewhite, didn't panic. The Jags answered immediately with a Kentrel Bullock touchdown. But the first half remained a grind. The Jags only led 17-7 at the break, and the Bears were out-hitting them in several categories.
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Why the South Alabama Jaguars Football vs Morgan State Bears Football Matchup Was Weird
This game wasn't even supposed to happen. Originally, South Alabama was slated to play Florida A&M. When FAMU backed out just a few months before kickoff, Morgan State stepped in. This was the first time these two programs had ever met.
You’ve got a Sun Belt powerhouse in the making versus a MEAC program that, frankly, hasn't had much luck against the "big boys" (Morgan State is now 0-10 all-time against FBS opponents). But for three quarters, the gap didn't look that wide.
The Turning Point: Turnovers and Tired Legs
The second half started as a shootout. PJ Martin scored for South Alabama; Collins Jr. scored again for Morgan State. At 24-14, it felt like one big play could flip the script.
The separator? Turnovers. Morgan State gave the ball away four times. You just can’t do that against an Applewhite-led offense.
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- Bishop Davenport was surgical, completing 12 of 14 passes.
- Devin Voisin reminded everyone why he’s a threat, racking up 69 yards and a late 31-yard touchdown that finally put the nail in the coffin.
- Ty Goodwill was a vacuum on defense, recording 11 tackles in his first collegiate start.
The Stats That Actually Matter
While the yardage was surprisingly close—367 for the Jags and 340 for the Bears—the efficiency was not. South Alabama averaged over 10 yards per pass attempt. Morgan State struggled to move the chains on third down, going just 6-of-13.
Erick "E40" Hunter was a bright spot for the Bears. He recorded 10 tackles and a sack, officially moving to No. 7 on Morgan State's all-time tackles list. It’s rare to see a losing defender dominate the conversation, but Hunter was everywhere.
What This Means for 2026 and Beyond
Looking ahead, both programs are heading in very different directions. South Alabama is trying to cement itself as a bowl-game staple under Applewhite. Their 2026 schedule is already looking beefy, with matchups against Tulane and Kentucky. They need to clean up the "sloppy" play that Applewhite mentioned in his post-game presser if they want to compete in the SEC.
Morgan State, led by Damon Wilson, proved they can hang physically. They open 2026 against North Carolina A&T before a massive payday game against Arizona State. If they can find a way to protect the football, they’re going to be a problem in the MEAC.
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Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you're following these teams into the next season, keep an eye on these specific factors:
- The Turnover Margin: South Alabama won this game because they were +3 in turnovers. Their defensive scheme under Applewhite prioritizes "strip-and-rip" drills. Expect them to continue over-performing in takeaway stats.
- Morgan State’s Rushing Ceiling: Jason Collins Jr. and Randall Nauden combined for 160 yards on the ground against a Sun Belt defense. That rushing attack is legit. When they play FCS opponents, they should be able to dictate the clock.
- The "Slow Start" Factor: South Alabama has a habit of starting seasons and games slowly. If you're looking at live betting lines in 2026, don't be shocked if they trail early against "lesser" opponents before the depth chart takes over in the fourth quarter.
The South Alabama Jaguars football vs Morgan State Bears football game wasn't a masterpiece, but it was a fascinating look at two programs trying to find their identity. One used superior depth to survive; the other used grit to stay relevant.
Watch the injury reports for Devin Voisin heading into the next cycle. His ability to change the game on special teams—like his 46-yard punt return that set up a touchdown—is the X-factor that keeps South Alabama in the win column when the offense stagnates.