South Alabama 9, Nicholls 3

Published Sep. 8, 2012 11:07 p.m. ET

foxsports

In a defensive struggle and battle of placekickers, Michel Chapuseaux kicked three field goals to give South Alabama a hard-fought 9-3 victory over Nicholls State Saturday night in non-conference play.

After a scoreless first quarter, Chapuseaux answered a 48-yard field goal by the Colonels' Andrew Dolan with a 19-yarder of his own. It was 3-3 at halftime. Chapuseaux added a 21-yard field goal in the third quarter and then a 34-yarder in the fourth.

South Alabama (1-1) had a big edge in total yardage. The Jaguars compiled 279 yards to just 118 for Nicholls State, whose opener last week against Oregon State was postponed by Hurricane Isaac. Landry Klann, the Colonels' new quarterback, struggled. He was 12-for-27 passing for just 96 yards and threw two interceptions.

For South Alabama, in its first season as an official member of the Sun Belt Conference, Demetre Baker rushed for 75 yards.