MOBILE, Ala. — The South Alabama Alabama State game Saturday will be the Jaguars’ homecoming and their final nonconference contest of the season, as South Alabama returns to Ladd-Peebles Stadium after three consecutive road games.
Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. Fan Fest begins at 1 p.m. with live music and free food samples from vendors. No point spread has been set for the game.
Second Half Slips Away at Georgia Southern
South Alabama fell 48-13 at Georgia Southern last Saturday. The Jaguars contained quarterback Shai Werts and the Eagles’ option attack in the first half, but Georgia Southern pulled away after halftime.
South Alabama was penalized nine times for 90 yards, lost two of its three fumbles and threw two interceptions. Over the three games since its win over Texas State, South Alabama has averaged 8.7 penalties for 88 yards per game.
Scouting the Hornets
Alabama State, a member of the FCS Southwestern Athletic Conference, is 2-3. The Hornets are coming off a 28-25 win over Alcorn State, their second victory of the season. They average 101 rushing yards and 171 passing yards per game.
Alabama State’s only other game against an FBS opponent this season was a 63-9 loss at Auburn, which was ranked ninth at the time.
The game could give younger South Alabama players, including quarterback Cephus Johnson, an opportunity for playing time.
Inside the Numbers
- South Alabama is 2-0 against SWAC opponents, having beaten Alabama A&M 45-0 last season and Mississippi Valley State 35-3 in 2011.
- The Jaguars are 11-2 all-time against FCS opponents, a total that includes the program’s years as an FCS transitional member after it began play in 2009.
- South Alabama will face former defensive coordinator Travis Pearson, who held that post with the Jaguars from 2013 to 2015, for the second straight season. Pearson was the defensive coordinator at Alabama A&M last year.
- Head coach Steve Campbell has never had a season finish below .500 in 19 seasons as an assistant or head coach.
