ULM falls to 0-2 on the season
South Alabama- 24 @ Tulane Green Wave- 28 First win of the Will Hall era, a home-opener grind, and a reminder that this team can make a play when it has to. South Alabama jumped out 10-0. Tulane answered with two Johnnie Daniels short-yardage TDs to lead 14-10 at the half, then spent the second half trading haymakers. The lead changed on the last five touchdowns. Kadin Semonza’s 14-yard back-shoulder fade to Destyn Hill with 1:17 left won it. The defense then forced a three-and-out. Victory formation. 1-1. What they did well: Jaylin Lucas was the difference. Eleven carries, 214 yards, 19.5 yards per carry, an American Conference record for a qualifying load and the first 200-yard rushing game in Yulman Stadium history. He had 117 yards on five first-half touches, including a 55-yard burst that set up Daniels. His first touch of the second half was an 80-yard untouched sprint around the right side after two blocks opened a lane. That is not complementary football. That is a one-man field-flipper keeping a sloppy night from becoming a second straight loss. The big-play passing game showed up when the Wave needed it. Hill’s 61-yard catch-and-run to the 3 sparked the first scoring drive. On the winner, Semonza hit Garrett Mmahat for 13 on third-and-1, then found his brother Cash “Money” Semonza for 36 down the sideline to the 20, then dropped the fade to Hill in the corner. First career start for Semonza with Tulane (14-of-22, 212 yards, 1 TD). No pick’s. Composed on the two-minute drill. That is the version of this offense that can hang with better teams. Daniels did the dirty work: Two TDs on six carries and 8 yards. Red-zone finishing was not the problem (Perfect). Neither was ball security, zero turnovers. William Hudlow’s punting (46-yard average, including a 55-yarder that flipped field position) was a quiet plus. And Hall’s postgame was fair: the players never wavered. They made the plays late. That matters more in Week 2 of a new staff than a clean box score. Local flavor helped: Lucas (Terrebonne/Karr) and Hill (Karr) produced the two biggest moments of the night in front of a Mardi Gras-uniform crowd. What still needs work: The same issues that showed up at Duke did not get fixed. South Alabama ran 72 plays to Tulane’s 51, held the ball 37:40 to 22:20 , and piled up 25 first downs to 13. The Jaguars went 10-of-16 on third down. Bishop Davenport threw for 296 yards and two scores, added 50 rushing yards, and repeatedly escaped pressure. Brendan Jenkins had 9 catches for 119. Anthony Eager’s 43-yard TD on the first drive of the second half was another coverage/tackle breakdown. Tackling remains a problem. PJ Martin’s 16-yard TD to make it 10-0 came after missed tackles, the same theme as Nate Sheppard’s night in Durham. Davenport converted third downs with his legs after broken contain. Injury: Chris Rodgers left with a left-leg injury on the opening series and did not return. Next Man Up: Makai Williams made a couple of important plays in his place (including a fourth-and-2 stop). Defense: The unit as a whole is not playing to the standard this program needs against Kansas State next week or in the American. The start was again slow: Punt, missed 45-yarder, then a six-play USA scoring drive. Early miscommunication put Semonza in third-and-long on the first series. Tulane lived on explosives instead of consistent chains. Thirteen first downs is not a sustainable formula when the other side is converting third downs and chewing clock. A would-be go-ahead fumble return by Josh Moore after Dickson Agu’s strip of Davenport was correctly overturned (QB slide rule which I think is BS). Agu led the team with 14 tackles and was around the ball all night; the defense did stiffen when it had to on the final USA possession. That is the encouraging part. The rest of the 478 yards allowed is the concern. Bottom line: This was a win they needed more than a statement. Lucas and the late Semonza-to-Hill connection papered over a defense that still cannot get off the field and an offense that still cannot stay on it. Hall has his first win, monkey off back now let’s get rolling! The roster showed fight! Next Saturday at Kansas State will tell you whether the explosives and the fourth-quarter composure are the real identity or whether the 10-0 holes and third-down leaks are. Fix the tackling and the early-down consistency, and this group has enough playmakers to stay in the AAC conversation. Leave those holes open and the next road trip gets ugly. Stay Tuned Roll Dat Wave Pod coming with a Kansas State Preview! #RollWave Make sure to follow Patrick Harkness on X
Colonels build a 17-point second-half lead, then survive a furious Vaqueros comeback to earn the conference victory in Thibodaux
Death Valley awaits our arrival...
It is week one folks, we made it to the 2026 season! This is the first season in a while where personally I feel optimistic going into the season thanks to Tyler Shough and what the Saints were able to show at the end of the 2025 season. Coupled with what the Saints did in the offseason in free agency and the draft the Saints and Saints fans should feel like the team has a real shot at winning the division and making the playoffs. Their first obstacle they will have to overcome on their path to accomplishing the goal is the Detroit Lions. The Lions will prove to be a good litmus test for the Saints in week one. The Lions have been a championship contender the last few years under the stewardship of Dan Campbell and will look to continue their fortune by taking care of business at home against the Saints. The Saints however are not facing the Lions at their peak as they finished last season with a 9-8 win loss record after being a double digit win team the two prior seasons. The Lions will also not have at least two key players in their secondary as both Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph are on injured reserve while two of their corners are on the injury report albeit listed as full participants as I am writing this. So the Saints will look to capitalize through the passing game with those key players out for this matchup. I expect Chris Olave to be targeted early and often in this game and for the role players around him to come up big on some key plays throughout the game. Speaking of role players I am curious to see if either or both of the rookie receivers in Barion Brown and Bryce Lance have any big moments in the game after having a great offseason and preseason. Outside of the rookie receivers I am curious to see if Juwan Johnson will be able to build on the productive season he had last year. With the absence of Jordyn Tyson to begin the season there should be plenty of opportunity for targets in the passing game outside of Chris Olave’s share. In regards to the running game I expect the Saints to give Etienne a heavy workload against the Lions if Kamara is not active for the game but there is optimism Kamara is ahead of schedule and could play against the Lions. I will be very interested to see how Etienne does in his debut with the team and how he will be utilized in the offense. There was talk during training camp the Saints have a package with both Etienne and Kamara on the field so if both are active I will be keeping an eye out for that personnel package. The Saints will look to start off the season strong on the ground after being one of the least effective teams running the ball last season. Hopefully the addition of David Edwards and Etienne combined with Kellen Moore along with most of the players being in year two of Kellen Moore’s system will aid them in running the ball better this season. Adin Hutchinson will look to be the main challenge the offensive line will face against the Lions defensive line as he had a standout 2025 campaign with 14.5 sacks along with an interception. If the Saints young tackles in Kelvin Banks and Taliese Fuaga are able to hold up well against Hutchinson they should be able to hold up well against the best edge rushers for the rest of the season. On the defensive side of the ball this will be very much a good challenge for them as the Lions have some marquee players on offense the defense will be tasked with slowing down. Amon Ra St. Brown and Jhamyr Gibbs are the two skill position players to key in on for the Saints in this game but role players like Sam LaPorta and Jameson Williams can absolutely be a difference maker for the Lions on any given Sunday. I think my two favorite matchups on this side of the ball will be watching Chase Young against Penei Sewell and the Saints young secondary against Amon Ra St. Brown. Chase Young had ten sacks in twelve games last season and will look to continue this success against one of the league’s best tackles in Penei Sewell. Unfortunately his running mate in Cameron Jordan will be unavailable in this game so look for a steady rotation at edge opposite of Chase Young throughout the game. Amon Ra St. Brown is the type of receiver Jared Goff looks for early and often throughout the game and can be moved around their offensive formations even though he plays primarily in the slot. How the Saints plan to contain or slow down Amon Ra will be fascinating to watch. Overall, I expect this to be a close game between the Saints and Lions where both teams should have ample opportunities to put up points against each other. There are so many little story lines to follow as the Saints start the regular season and in this game I can’t wait to follow. Week one usually has a fair amount of chaos to the games so you can never discount a crazy outcome here or elsewhere throughout the league. There should be plenty to discuss coming out of week one. Alright enough from me, talk to you all on the other side and geaux Saints! Injury Designations Lions DB - Christian Izien - Questionable Saints TE - Oscar Delp - OUT Edge - Cameron Jordan - OUT RB - Audric Estime - OUT RB - Alvin Kamara - Questionable
ULM enters the Saturday afternoon game +9.5 to UAB
The 1-0 Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns are making a big trip to the West Coast this weekend to face the 14th nationally-ranked and 2-0 USC Trojans in Los Angeles. The game is set for an 8pm kickoff (10pm Louisiana time) at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Louisiana comes into this game fresh off a convincing 38-7 win over Lamar. The Cajuns looked great defensively, forcing three interceptions and a fumble, while using a strong ground attack to score five touchdowns against the Cardinals. Needless to say, that performance came against an FCS opponent, albeit a good one who entered that game ranked 14th in the FCS rankings. Now, Louisiana turns its attention to a really talented USC program that has its sights set on a national championship run. USC has also had its fair share of success to start the year, defeating San Jose State 42-26 before shutting out Fresno State 39-0 last week. The biggest story for the Trojans so far has been quarterback Jayden Maiava, who through two games leads all FBS quarterbacks with 635 passing yards. He has thrown five touchdowns without an interception and has completed 89% of his passes, going 48-of-54 up to this point. This will no doubt be a tough test for the Cajuns. Playing a top-15 team that has been on fire offensively is not an easy task, especially for a UL team that will come into this game somewhat shorthanded. Top Receivers Out with Injuries Louisiana will be without starting wide receiver Shelton Sampson Jr., who rolled up his ankle in last week’s season opener. Starting slot receiver Trenton Chaney, a redshirt freshman out of Lutcher High School, has also been ruled out against USC with a rolled-up ankle. Starting tight end Caden Jensen, who was Louisiana’s leading receiver last week, will also be out and is expected to miss at least a couple of weeks. Brock Chappell, a talented tight end who missed last week’s game, will return and step in for Jensen on Saturday night. Replacing Sampson Jr. at the X position will be Kristion Brooks, a true freshman out of Zachary. Redshirt freshman Russell Babineaux out of Lafayette will start at the slot position, with KeDarius Wade at the Z position. All three players saw reps last week, with Wade hauling in three catches for 64 yards. Nonetheless, this is still a very young receiving corps. It’s good that they were able to get a game under their belts last week and get some of those game-day jitters out of the way, but having USC as the next matchup certainly doesn’t make things any easier. UL’s success through the air against Lamar primarily came with the help of its tight ends, along with utilizing the short screen passing game. It’s hard to imagine we see much more than that against USC with such a young receiving corps. USC’s defense had a great outing last week against Fresno State, limiting the Bulldogs to just 77 yards through the air and 39 yards on the ground. Can UL Capitalize on the Ground? One of the big highlights that came out of last week's win by UL was a strong performance in the running game. All five touchdowns came on the ground via four different players as the Cajuns rushed for 243 yards. What appears to be a really good running back room with Darrell Smith, Anthony Reagan Jr., JJ Garner and Steven Blanco will likely have to be the workhorse for this Cajuns offense in the meantime until the passing game can get settled. It will be a challenge, however, as USC has limited its opponents to just 70 rushing yards per game so far this season. The Trojans’ defensive linemen aren’t necessarily any bigger than Louisiana’s, but they play physical and fast. They also have a strong linebacker corps led by Deven Bryant, who leads the team in tackles, along with Jadyn Walker and Desman Stephens II. It will be a tall task running against this Trojans defense, but with the options UL has at running back, they won't be shorthanded, that's for sure. Keys to the Game Be perfect. There’s really no other way to put it. Coach Michael Desormeaux has emphasized this in his press conferences over the last few days. If the Cajuns want to have a shot at making this a competitive game, or even creating what would be the biggest upset victory in UL history, they have to be perfect in all phases. That means another great performance in the running game similar to last week, along with seeing a decent amount of improvement through the air. As I said earlier, if last week was any indication, UL has the running back room to create some havoc. Darrell Smith was nicked up a bit earlier this week following the Lamar game, but he’s all set to go Saturday night. He, Reagan Jr. and the other backs in the room should be capable of putting together another good performance as long as the offensive line allows for it. It will be a tall task against a good USC defense, but this group knows they’re capable. A good rotation throughout the game should keep them healthy and the USC defense on their heels a little bit. Passing game-wise, Louisiana needs to be to create some vertical threats. We didn’t really see much of that last week, and if anything, some of the biggest plays downfield came from the tight ends. With Brock Chappell stepping in for Caden Jensen, UL can still rely on its tight ends while also utilizing the short, quick passing game with its speedy receivers on the perimeter, which is what appears to be the focus for this passing game early on this season. San Jose State quarterback Luke Weaver threw for over 230 yards against USC in week “zero,” with the Spartans using the short passing game to put up 26 points. So there should be opportunities for Louisiana to move the football through the air if they can execute correctly and effectively. Defensively, it’ll require a lot of discipline, perfect assignments and consistency if the Cajuns want to slow down Maiava. He has yet to really be slowed down this season. If Louisiana can generate some pressure, make him uncomfortable and force a turnover or two, that could go a long way toward keeping this game within reach. Like I said earlier, though, just about everything needs to go right for UL to have a legitimate chance at biting into this game. When it comes to size, USC doesn't have monsters compared to the Cajuns. They win games through their speed and physicality, and the winner of this game will be determined based on whose players does it better. Final Prediction: USC 38, Louisiana 13 This will be a tall task for the Cajuns. They’re making a long trip to the West Coast and playing late at night against a top-15 team with a high-powered offense that has looked almost unstoppable so far, along with a defense that has done a good job of keeping opponents at bay. It’s hard to imagine UL can be “perfect,” as Coach Des has emphasized, when you’re down multiple starting receivers and still haven’t proven you can consistently move the ball through the air, even against an FCS opponent. The ground game proved to be Louisiana’s biggest strength last week, but now they’re facing one of the best run defenses in college football through the first two weeks of the season. The good news is that Louisiana’s offensive line is fully healthy, and so is the entire defense. Both groups had good outings last week, especially the defense as they didn't allow a single point to be scored. With that said, I think UL can get into the red zone a couple of times and come away with a rushing touchdown or two. Defensively, I also think the Cajuns can create enough resistance to keep USC from scoring more than 40 points and letting it get out of hand really quickly. At the end of the day, UL running backs coach Marquase Lovings said it best: both teams consist of humans who are going to put on pads and play a football game, so anything can happen. This is why we play the game on the field and not on paper. However, these are two programs playing at two different levels of talent with two completely different end goals for this season. It will quite literally take a near-perfect game for the Cajuns to have a shot at pulling this one off, and Cajuns fans know that. In the end, we all hope this so-called “money game” for Louisiana ends with very minimal injuries and that everyone comes back healthy and ready to go for next week’s home matchup against UAB. It sure would be sweet if the Cajuns could come home with a victory as well, but keeping injuries at bay would go a long way this season.
Saturday, September 12, 2026 6:00 p.m. CT Yulman Stadium ESPN+ Last year’s meeting in Mobile ended 33-31 Tulane in a sloppy, high-scoring slugfest. This one is a rematch at home after both programs turned over pieces and Tulane just got punched in the mouth at Duke. Can the Green Wave Re-Group? Roll Dat Wave Pod w/ @greenwavecolin drops today! Tulane Green Wave: Enters Year 1 of the Will Hall era after an ugly 17-3 loss at Duke. First time since 2019 the Wave did not score a touchdown. Hall already flipped the quarterback. Kadin Semonza starts Saturday. Zeon Chriss-Gremillion, who won camp and started Week 1, is the backup. That standard does not reset just because Week 1 was sloppy. Roster reality after Durham: The offense gained 258 yards and 3 points. The run game produced 54 yards. Fumble in the red zone. Holding and mental penalties killed drives. Hall called it a “really dumb” performance and compared it to last year’s UTSA tape. What remains is still Tulane culture, a loaded backfield if Jamauri McClure (foot) is ready after sitting Duke, and a WR room that should be more explosive than it showed Saturday. Hill had 5-67. Anthony Brown-Stephens and Zycarl Lewis Jr. are the next layer. The line has to give Semonza a clean pocket and play disciplined. Reese Baker is the veteran. The rest of that front is still proving it. Semonza is the proven passer. Ball State MAC Freshman of the Year in 2024 (2,904 yards, 25 TDs). He is not Chriss as a designed-run threat. He is the timing thrower Hall wants if the Wave stay ahead of the chains. South Alabama Jaguars: Year 3 under Major Applewhite (11-14 in two seasons). He is calling the offense himself. New DC Todd Orlando (USF the last three years, previously with Applewhite at Houston). They are 1-0 after burying SE Louisiana 39-14 (FCS). Identity is volume run: 59 carries, 241 yards, three rushing TDs. Bishop Davenport is still the quarterback, same guy who nearly beat Tulane last September (17-of-24, 231 yards, 2 passing TDs, 63 rush, 1 rushing TD). The RB committee: PJ Martin (Nola product) 18-69-1 Keenan Phillips 13-66 Trae’von Dunbar 13-60-1 Kentrel Bullock is gone. Devin Voisin, who gashed Tulane for 8-152-2 last year, is gone. Brendan Jenkins (5-78-1 vs SELA) and Anthony Eager have to replace that juice. USA is healthier and already has a win. Tulane has the building, the standard, and a chip after Durham. Both teams have holes. Both have questions that need answers Saturday night. Tulane’s identity has to be (physical, complementary, and clean football) is more established. South Alabama has a script if the Wave front does not set the edge/penetrate/pressure. South Alabama offense vs Tulane defense: Applewhite’s offense is multiple-spread that wants to run first, stay on schedule, and live short-to-intermediate. They do not take many deep shots. Last year they ranked 121st in pass attempts per game. Week 1 they rushed 59 times. Davenport is efficient when he is completing 70%+. When he dips, USA went 0-7 last year. He is a throw-on-the-run, keep-it-alive quarterback, not a 60-yard bomber. Backup is Jared Hollins. The line lost most of its starters. Ethan Hubbard (RT) and Kenton Jerido (C) are the veterans. Against FCS they still ran for 241. Against Tulane last year they had 190 rush yards and 421 total and still lost because they went scoreless in the second and third quarters. Tulane’s attacking 4-2-5 under Tayler Polk and co-DC Nate Fuqua is built to take away the easy stuff, attack the QB, and force third-and-long. That unit just allowed Nate Sheppard 227 yards and 2 TDs on 35 carries. Edge setting and run fits were the problem in Durham. That is exactly what Applewhite will try to exploit: inside zone, duo, QB keepers, and a three-back rotation that does not let the Wave pin its ears back. Safety Jack Tchienchou is still the defensive leader. Linebackers Dickson Agu and Chris Rodgers and the front (Ed Smith IV who came from USA, Derrick Shepard Jr, young ends and the potential RETURN of Kam Hamilton) have to plug the middle, set the edge against Martin/Phillips/Dunbar, and keep Davenport from settling. Keep an eye on true freshman Jordyn Crites at the DT spot, I could see him having a huge game. Kevin Adams III had 11 tackles at Duke. The secondary can hunt if it is third-and-7+. Last year USA put up 421 yards and still lost because they stalled for two full quarters. Do not let them get the same first-quarter jump they got in Mobile (14-0). Not sure how this offense will function playing behind. The Wave defense does not have to be perfect. It has to be assignment-sound on first and second down and opportunistic on third. X Factor: D-Line create havoc. South Alabama defense vs Tulane Offense: Hall and Russ Callaway will run a West Coast-flavored attack that still wants to run the ball and use play-action. Semonza is not Retzlaff. He does not have to throw 40 times. He has to keep the chains moving, hit Destyn Hill, Anthony Brown-Stephens, and Zycarl Lewis Jr. when USA overcommits to the run, and protect the football. The offensive line is the swing unit again. Reese Baker is the only returning starter from last year’s CFP front. Transfers and young players have to hold up at home against an Orlando front that is multiple and more attacking than last year’s “keep it in front of you” 4-2-5. If McClure is limited or out, Lucas / Turner / Daniels have to carry the load. Johnnie Daniels led the Wave with 31 yards on 8 carries at Duke. That is not enough. Tight ends Dawson Johnson and Vance Bolyard, plus the F TE package (Ty Thompson), give Hall another way to protect and create mismatches. They have to be more involved. USA defense last year: 30.4 points allowed (110th), 176.6 rush yards at 4.8 a clip. They could not get to the quarterback. Vs Tulane they gave up 241 rushing yards and three rushing TDs. Retzlaff and Zuberi Mobley ran through them. This year Orlando is not running that same religion. Multiple four-man / three-man, nickel, dime. Co-DC Jason Washington still runs the corners. The front is the weakest group on paper after the portal. Week 1 they had 2 sacks vs SELA. They did intercept two and held SELA to 0-for-7 on third down, with the caveat that SELA is FCS and scored twice on four-play explosives. They also lost pieces that now wear green: Ed Smith IV and Dalton Hughes. If Orlando’s front stays gap-sound, Semonza is forced into obvious passing downs, which is when a blitz-happy DC wants to live. If they send extra and do not get there, Hill and the intermediate game can eat. Last year they were undisciplined enough in Mobile that Tulane still found 241 on the ground. If they play cleaner and win early downs, they can put Semonza in obvious passing situations. If they overpursue the run the way they did a year ago, the Wave backs and play-action will make them pay. X Factor: Clean Football and this game should work in Tulane’s favor. South Alabama Jaguars @ Tulane Green Wave: Overall and Three keys to victory for Tulane On paper this one shouldn’t be even close, in Tulane’s favor. South Alabama is 1-0, healthier, and already has the run-game tape they want. Tulane is the deserved favorite on paper (home field, talent, last year’s result) and the better bet to play a complete, complementary game in Week 2 . Home crowd Better roster Mardi Gras Jersey The Wave do not need to out-talent South Alabama. They need to out-execute them for 60 minutes and finish drives they left on the field in Durham. Three keys for Tulane: 1. Set the edge and make the committee earn everything. Martin, Phillips, and Dunbar are not Sheppard. If they gouge early, Davenport gets easy play-action and the Wave defense spends the night in the middle of the field. Set the edge, tackle in space, force USA into third-and-7+. That is when Tchienchou and the secondary hunt. 2. Let Semonza be efficient without turning it over. He does not have to be Retzlaff 2.0. He has to stay on schedule, take what Orlando gives him, and protect the football. One or two completed drives that end in the end zone change how USA has to play the rest of the night. Ball security is non-negotiable in a home opener after a 3-point road loss. 3. Win the line of scrimmage (clean) and stay out of obvious passing downs. The reloaded Wave offensive line does not have to dominate. It has to give Semonza a clean pocket on early downs and create enough push for Lucas / Turner / Daniels / McClure (if healthy) to keep Orlando honest. Third-and-long against a disguised, blitz-happy front is where this game can get away. Stay ahead of the chains, convert a couple of third-and-mediums, and the clock becomes Tulane’s friend in the fourth quarter. Yulman will be loud. South Alabama will have moments. They almost stole this game a year ago. Play complementary and clean football, finish in the red zone, tackle like a welder is on your sister, and take the home opener. #RollWave Make sure to follow Patrick Harkness on X
