MOBILE, Ala. — South Alabama football avoided a major upset Saturday night when they defeated visiting Nicholls State in overtime in a game few expected to be close. The Jaguars (2-2, 0-2) defeated the Colonels (1-2) 41-40 when the visitors attempted a two-point conversion in overtime as opposed to kicking the extra point to send it to a second overtime.

Redshirt freshman running back Xavier Johnson was the deciding factor for the Jaguars as he compiled 256 all-purpose yards and scored 3 touchdowns, including the go-ahead score in overtime.

Johnson gave USA an immediate lead in the contest when he returned the opening kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown to put them up 7-0.

The teams traded punts for the rest of the opening quarter before the Jags found the end zone again early in the second when Dami Ayoola ran it in from three yards out to extend the lead to 14-0.

Nicholls head coach Tim Rebowe must have said something to light a fire in his players after the second score, because Nicholls went on a 23-point run to take a 23-14 lead. The run included an interception returned for a touchdown, a blocked field goal attempt returned for a touchdown and a 1-yard rush following another interception.

After a Colonels field goal, Johnson rushed for another score from 16 yards out to bring the score to 23-21. The Jags added a field goal of their own to take a 24-23 lead into halftime.

The scoring was muted in the third period as the teams merely swapped field goals to bring the score to 27-26 Jags going into the fourth quarter.

South quarterback Dallas Davis threw his third interception of the night to set the Colonels up with prime position at the USA 29-yard line. They scored on a 16-yard pass from Chase Fourcade to Dami Jeanpiere. They converted the two-point conversion to take a 34-27 lead.

Down a score with just 2:37 left in regulation, Davis led a textbook two-minute drill going 8-of-13 passing to drive the Jags from their own 17-yard line to score on a 9-yard pass to Tyrone Williams to force overtime. Davis ended the night with 302 passing yards on 24-of-50 passing and one touchdown, though he also tossed 4 interceptions.

In the overtime period, South Alabama went on offense first, again turning to the young freight train Johnson at running back. Davis handed him the ball on five of the six plays the Jaguars ran in overtime, with Johnson rushing for a 4-yard score on the final tote to put South up 41-34.

Nicholls also turned to their running back with three straight carries by Dontrel Taylor before he also scored on a 4-yard run. The Colonels decided to go ahead and try to win the game in lieu of opting for more overtime.

Fourcade threw a pass in the back right corner of the end zone that was intercepted, however South Alabama had lined up offside. The penalty moved them a yard closer to pay dirt. From there, the Colonels handed off to Taylor who was stuffed at the line of scrimmage to end the upset attempt.

The Jaguars now sit at .500 on the season with bowl hopes still in the balance. Next they host San Diego State, who are 3-0 and ranked 19th in the AP poll. The game is at Ladd-Peebles Stadium at 7 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 1.