Via Jaylin Lucas’s Instagram
The Tulane Green Wave beat South Alabama 28-24 on Saturday night, coming back from an early 10-point hole and a late fourth-quarter deficit to win in the final minutes. Neither team could pull away, and the lead changed hands until the very end. Two performances stood out for Tulane: running back Jaylin Lucas and quarterback Kadin Semonza.
South Alabama controlled the start. A 40-yard field goal opened the scoring, and running back PJ Martin followed with a 16-yard touchdown run to put the Jaguars up 10-0 after the first quarter. Tulane answered in the second quarter. Running back Johnnie Daniels scored twice, including a short run that capped a 95-yard drive, and the Green Wave went into halftime leading 14-10.
The second half picked up where the first left off. South Alabama retook the lead when quarterback Bishop Davenport hit Anthony Eager for a 43-yard touchdown. Tulane responded with the play of the night. Lucas found a crease, broke into the open field, and outran everyone for an 80-yard touchdown that put the Green Wave back on top, 21-17.
That run was the centerpiece of a historic night for Lucas. He finished with 214 rushing yards on only 11 carries, averaging nearly 20 yards per attempt, and his 80-yarder was the longest play of the game. The performance also set a new Yulman Stadium rushing record, breaking the 199-yard mark Tyjae Spears set in the 2022 AAC Championship game.
Semonza was just as important to the win. He completed 14 of 22 passes for 212 yards and a touchdown, and wide receiver Destyn Hill caught four passes for 91 yards, including the one that decided the game.
South Alabama looked like it had taken control in the fourth quarter. Davenport led a 70-yard drive that ate up nearly eight minutes and ended with a 17-yard touchdown pass to Brendan Jenkins, giving the Jaguars a 24-21 lead with under 12 minutes to play.
Tulane needed one more answer, and Semonza delivered it. The Green Wave engineered a 7-play, 78-yard drive, and Semonza connected with Destyn Hill for a 14-yard touchdown pass to take a 28-24 lead. With 1:17 left in the fourth quarter, the defense came in clutch with a fourth-down pass breakup by E’zaiah Shine on South Alabama’s final possession to secure the comeback win at Yulman.
