JONESBORO, Ark. — South Alabama will try to bounce back from its first Sun Belt Conference loss of the season when it visits Arkansas State on Saturday in the Jaguars’ third consecutive nationally televised game.
The Jaguars (5-2, 2-1 Sun Belt) lost 10-6 to Troy last weekend in Mobile. Arkansas State (2-6, 1-4 Sun Belt) fell at Louisiana-Lafayette in its most recent game. The spread opened with South Alabama as a 9.5-point favorite and has moved to 12.5 points.
South Alabama leads the all-time series 6-4 and has won the last three meetings, with former receiver Jalen Tolbert playing a central role in each of those victories.
Troy Holds Jaguars to 246 Yards
A week after gaining 615 yards, South Alabama managed 246 yards of offense against Troy. The Trojans’ front seven repeatedly reached the backfield, disrupting the running game and pressuring quarterback Carter Bradley. South Alabama’s defense held Troy to 266 total yards, but the Trojans controlled the pace and limited the Jaguars’ offensive snaps.
The loss leaves South Alabama’s West Division title chances partly dependent on other results. Head coach Kane Wommack’s program does not set goals such as reaching the conference championship game, instead focusing on each week’s opponent.
South Alabama responded to its only other loss this season, a one-point defeat to UCLA, with a 38-14 win over Louisiana Tech.
Arkansas State Battling Injuries
Arkansas State is in its second season under head coach Butch Jones. The Red Wolves have beaten Grambling State and Louisiana-Monroe and lost close games to Old Dominion, 29-26, and Southern Miss, 20-19. Their other losses came against Ohio State, Memphis, James Madison and Louisiana-Lafayette.
At Lafayette, Arkansas State was without three cornerbacks, its starting quarterback and a rotational running back. The backup quarterback started and was injured in the third quarter, forcing the Red Wolves to turn to a true freshman. One offensive lineman has been playing with a broken foot. Arkansas State’s roster includes about 70 freshmen and sophomores.
Jones said starting quarterback James Blackman is expected to return.
Red Wolves Offense
Arkansas State averages 28.8 points, 349.3 total yards, 242.8 passing yards and 106.5 rushing yards per game, with an average time of possession of 31:30. The Red Wolves have converted 41 of 117 third downs (35 percent) and 10 of 16 fourth downs (62.5 percent). They have scored on 25 of 28 red zone trips, with 18 touchdowns, and average 5.1 yards per play. They have lost three of nine fumbles and thrown two interceptions.
Blackman has completed 149 of 215 passes (69.3 percent) for 1,695 yards with 11 touchdowns and one interception. AJ Mayer is 18 of 38 for 213 yards and a touchdown, and Jaxon Dailey is 5 of 9 for 34 yards in two appearances.
Seydou Traore leads the receivers with 31 catches for 474 yards and three touchdowns. Champ Flemings has 29 catches for 352 yards and a touchdown, and Jeff Foreman has 16 catches for 321 yards and a team-high four touchdowns. Three other receivers have more than 100 yards.
Johnnie Lang leads the running backs with 313 yards and two touchdowns on 82 carries, and Brian Snead has 277 yards and six touchdowns on 74 carries. Two other players, including Mayer, have more than 100 rushing yards. Lang has also returned a kickoff for a touchdown and averages 26.6 yards per return.
Red Wolves Defense and Special Teams
Arkansas State allows 31.1 points, 409 total yards, 260.8 passing yards and 148.3 rushing yards per game. Opponents have converted 40 of 107 third downs (37.4 percent) and 9 of 14 fourth downs (64.3 percent) and have scored on 18 of 20 red zone trips, with only two field goals. The Red Wolves have forced 16 fumbles but recovered four, and they have three interceptions.
Jordan Carmouche leads the defense with 54 tackles, 21 solo, and shares the team lead in tackles for loss with Trevian Thomas at 5.5 each. Thomas has 46 tackles. Dennard Flower leads the team with three sacks, Kivon Bennett has 2.5 and safety Eddie Smith has a team-high two interceptions.
Kicker Dominic Zvada has made all 12 field goal attempts with a long of 46 and 23 of 24 extra points. Punter Ryan Hanson averages 44.1 yards on 32 punts with a long of 68, 12 downed inside the 20 and seven of 50 or more yards.
South Alabama Injury Update
Running back La’Damian Webb played against Troy after being injured on the first possession against Louisiana-Monroe but was limited. Tight end DJ Thomas-Jones returned after collapsing on the sideline earlier this season and undergoing a series of tests; he had one catch. Linebacker Quentin Wilfawn returned but appeared to aggravate a shoulder injury.
South Alabama had only two running backs available against Louisiana-Monroe after Terrion Avery left the team, Braylon McReynolds was sidelined and Webb was injured early. Brian Hill was brought up from the practice squad last week to provide depth. McReynolds, who had 104 yards on 18 carries in the first five games before his injury, may be able to return this week.
Jaguars Offense
South Alabama averages 31.7 points, 431.4 total yards, 288.1 passing yards and 143.3 rushing yards per game, with an average time of possession of 31:10. The Jaguars have converted 47 of 101 third downs (46.5 percent) and 3 of 8 fourth downs, and they have scored on 25 of 30 red zone trips with 18 touchdowns. South Alabama has seven turnovers: two lost fumbles on four fumbles and five interceptions.
Bradley has completed 155 of 238 passes for 1,909 yards with 13 touchdowns and five interceptions.
Jalen Wayne leads the receivers with 559 yards and five touchdowns on 40 catches. Caullin Lacy has a team-high 42 receptions for 553 yards and three touchdowns, and Devin Voisin has 35 catches for 427 yards and a touchdown.
Webb leads the team with 487 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 100 carries. Omni Wells has 156 yards on 34 carries, and Marco Lee has 140 yards and four touchdowns on 35 carries.
Jaguars Defense and Special Teams
South Alabama allows 19.7 points, 314 total yards, 214.4 passing yards and 99.6 rushing yards per game. Opponents have converted 27 of 93 third downs (29 percent) and 9 of 15 fourth downs and have scored on 15 of 21 red zone trips, with 10 touchdowns.
James Miller and Jaden Voisin share the team lead with 36 tackles each, 21 solo, and Trey Kiser has 35 tackles. CJ Rias leads the team with five tackles for loss and three sacks. Yam Banks intercepted his fourth pass of the season against Troy to extend his team lead. Voisin, AJ DeShazor, Ke’Shun Brown, Darrell Luter Jr. and CJ Thompson each have one interception.
Kicker Diego Guajardo has made all 11 field goal attempts with a long of 48 and 25 of 26 extra points. Punter Jack Brooks averages 41.7 yards on 33 punts, with 12 downed inside the 20 and six of 50 or more yards.
Brooks, a 29-year-old native of Wagga Wagga, Australia, and the oldest player on the roster, will wear the honorary No. 5 jersey Saturday in recognition of his contributions. He is in his fourth season with the Jaguars and, under COVID-19 eligibility rules, could return for a fifth season.
