Tulane football has a much bigger hill to climb in their opposing quarterback this weekend against the South Alabama Jaguars.
Both the Tulane Green Wave and South Alabama Jaguars will start quarterbacks who weren’t initially the first plan for either side.
Last season, the Green Wave were tasked with shutting down quarterback Bishop Davenport, who they’ll face off again this Saturday as they look to contain his mobility.
He was behind former signal caller Gio Lopez prior to that, who was the starter all of 2024 until he was injured and Davenport stepped in.
Then he entered the transfer portal following the 2025 spring practice, after which Davenport went on to win the job.
But the Jaguars certainty have a lot more consistency going for them as they enter Week 2 of the college football season in what has turned into a bit of a must-win game for Tulane.
They won’t face anything of the caliber that Duke trotted out in running back Nate Sheppard, but it’ll certainly be a more well-rounded offense than what the Blue Devils put out there.
Davenport will aid the running game, not detract from it, though South Alabama will be without Kentrell Bullock who defined their run game last season.
They will return local product PJ Martin from De La Salle High School who is backed up by Keenan Phillips.
Then there’s Davenport, who can do some damage with his legs – and did that against the Green Wave last season with 63 yards and a score on the ground.
He’s had several explosive 50-plus yard runs in the past.
Tulane was not adept at containing explosive plays when it came to Sheppard. They just can’t get gashed up by Davenport this time.
The time of possession played a role in all that as well with the Green Wave offense being unable to sustain drives and keep the defense off the field long enough to get their bearings.
Tulane hopes that Kadin Semonza will be the turning point in all of that this weekend.
He did provide the lone spark in the loss to the Blue Devils.
But, his offensive line will matter more than anything, and it’ll be looking like they’ll put Ryan Mickow at left tackle in this start and bring out Darion Reed at right tackle to flank Reese Baker at right guard.
John Bock could easily see some time as well at center even if he doesn’t start.
That group of five need to figure out how to play together for this Group of Five program to have a shot at much at all.
