JONESBORO, Ark. — South Alabama returns to Sun Belt Conference play Saturday at Arkansas State in a West Division matchup, one week after a loss at LSU closed the Jaguars’ non-conference schedule.
The Jaguars (2-3, 1-0 Sun Belt) are 2.5-point favorites against the Red Wolves (2-2, 0-0 Sun Belt) at Centennial Bank Stadium. South Alabama has won the last five meetings in the series, including the last two games in Jonesboro, after losing its first four games there.
All seven of South Alabama’s remaining regular-season games are against conference opponents.
LSU Strikes Early
LSU (4-1) gained 158 yards and scored two touchdowns on its first three offensive snaps last Saturday night at Tiger Stadium. The Tigers opened with a 71-yard touchdown pass, and on their second snap a runner went 86 yards before being stopped at the 1-yard line; LSU scored on the next play.
South Alabama scored its only touchdown in the second half while holding LSU to one second-half touchdown. The Jaguars intercepted LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier twice, raising their turnover margin to plus-7 for the season. Neither Gio Lopez nor Bishop Davenport has thrown an interception this season, making South Alabama one of five FBS teams without a pass intercepted.
Arkansas State Under Butch Jones
Butch Jones is 13-28 overall and 6-18 in conference play in his fourth season at Arkansas State. The Red Wolves’ win total has increased in each of his seasons, and last year they reached the Camellia Bowl, losing 21-19 to Northern Illinois. Jones is 97-82 in 14 seasons as a head coach, with previous stops at Central Michigan (2007-09), Cincinnati (2010-12) and Tennessee (2013-17). He was an offensive analyst and special assistant to the head coach at Alabama from 2018 to 2020.
South Alabama beat Arkansas State in Mobile last season during a stretch in which the Jaguars needed two wins in their final three games to become bowl eligible.
Arkansas State opened this season with close wins over FCS Central Arkansas and Tulsa, then lost 28-18 at No. 16 Michigan and 52-7 at Iowa State. The Red Wolves are coming off an open date and have a turnover margin of minus-2, with five interceptions and four lost fumbles against six interceptions and one fumble recovery by their defense.
Red Wolves Offense
Offensive coordinator Keith Heckendorf is in his sixth season in that role, including the two seasons before Jones arrived. Quarterback Jaylen Raynor was named Sun Belt Freshman of the Year last season, the first true freshman quarterback to win the award since 2007 and the second in conference history, after throwing for 2,543 yards and 17 touchdowns and rushing for 380 yards and five touchdowns.
This season Raynor has completed 69 of 128 passes for 780 yards with three touchdowns and five interceptions, and he leads the team with 143 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 44 carries. Timmy McClain is 11 of 18 for 132 yards and three touchdowns, mostly after Raynor was benched against Iowa State.
Corey Rucker leads the receivers with 17 catches for 265 yards and two touchdowns. Courtney Jackson has 14 catches for 150 yards, and Reagan Ealy has 11 catches for 140 yards. Zak Wallace has 134 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 40 carries, freshman Devin Spencer has 80 yards on 16 carries and Ja’Quez Cross has 61 yards on 21 carries.
Two Arkansas State offensive linemen are trending toward returning from injury.
Red Wolves Defense and Special Teams
Defensive coordinator Rob Harley is in his fourth season calling the defense. Last season Arkansas State improved its red zone defense ranking by 82 spots and ranked 20th nationally with 6.8 tackles for loss per game. The Red Wolves allow nearly 200 rushing yards per game this season.
Linebacker Marvin Ham and safety Justin Parks lead the team with 31 tackles each. Trevian Thomas has 29 tackles, and Thomas and Dontay Joyner share the team lead with two interceptions. Jayden Jones leads the team with four tackles for loss and two sacks. Cornerback Jordan Mahoney, a Massachusetts transfer, and defensive lineman Micaiah Overton, a Texas A&M transfer, have been out with injuries and their return is uncertain.
Punter Ryan Heicher averages 44.2 yards on 20 punts with a long of 56. Kicker Clune Van Andel has made 3 of 6 field goals with a long of 44, including 1 of 4 from 30 yards or longer. Courtney Jackson averages 17.5 yards on eight punt returns, including a 77-yard touchdown.
South Alabama Offense
Lopez has completed 73 of 114 passes (64 percent) for 1,014 yards and 10 touchdowns, and Davenport is 27 of 45 for 276 yards and a touchdown. Head coach Major Applewhite said Lopez was taken out in the fourth quarter at LSU as a precaution after he got up slowly following a sack. Rob Ezell is the offensive coordinator.
Jamaal Pritchett leads the team with 29 catches for 394 yards and four touchdowns. Pritchett left the LSU game late in the first quarter, entered concussion protocol and returned to practice in a limited capacity Wednesday. Devin Voisin has 17 catches for 207 yards. Anthony Eager has five catches for 114 yards and two touchdowns, including South Alabama’s touchdown at LSU, and tight end DJ Thomas-Jones has seven catches for 60 yards and three touchdowns.
True freshman Fluff Bothwell leads the rushing attack with 376 yards and six touchdowns on 47 carries. Kentrel Bullock has 260 yards and three touchdowns on 39 carries, and Lopez has 204 yards and two touchdowns on 31 carries. PJ Martin and Braylon McReynolds also figure in the running back rotation.
South Alabama Defense and Special Teams
Linebacker Blayne Myrick leads the defense with 37 tackles, two pass breakups, a tackle for loss and a forced fumble. Jordan Scruggs has 25 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and an interception. Jaden Voisin leads the team with two interceptions and has 24 tackles. Scruggs, Amarion Fortenberry, Lardarius Webb Jr. and Caldwell Chrystyile each have one interception, and four players share the team lead with one sack each.
Northwestern State’s only touchdown against South Alabama this season came on a 74-yard catch and run.
Punter Aleksi Pulkkinen averages 41 yards per punt with seven downed inside the 20. Kicker Laith Marjan has made 6 of 7 field goals, including a season-long 49-yarder at LSU. Pritchett averages 28 yards on seven punt returns, including a 62-yard touchdown.
Injury Update
Cornerback Reggie Neely, who injured an ankle in the season opener, and safety Trent Singleton, a Mississippi State transfer who suffered a foot injury in preseason camp, are both expected to be available.
