MOBILE, Ala. — South Alabama plays its final game at Ladd-Peebles Stadium on Friday when the Jaguars (1-10, 0-7 Sun Belt Conference) close the 2019 regular season against Arkansas State at 4 p.m.
The game ends an 11-season run at the stadium. South Alabama will move into Hancock Whitney Stadium, now under construction on campus, for the start of the 2020 season. The on-campus stadium carries a price tag of $75 million, and the university finalized its plan to fund the project this year.
A Decade at Ladd-Peebles
South Alabama played its first game at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in 2009, a win over Hargrave Military Academy, and won its first 19 games there. The Jaguars did not lose at home until the final game of the 2011 season, against Cal Poly.
Several program milestones followed at the stadium, including South Alabama’s first win over an FBS opponent, against Florida International; the victory over Texas State that clinched the program’s first bowl berth; and its first win over a ranked opponent, San Diego State.
The last two seasons have been more difficult. South Alabama is 4-19 over that span, and this season included a program-record nine-game losing streak.
Recent Results
The Jaguars lost at Texas State in a game that included a missed South Alabama field goal, then fell to Louisiana-Lafayette after the Ragin’ Cajuns scored late, scoring 28 and 27 points in those games. Last Saturday at Georgia State, South Alabama had 3 points before scoring two late touchdowns.
Desmond Trotter is expected to start at quarterback, with Tra Minter and Carlos Davis leading the running game. Defensive back Jalen Thompson is expected to miss the game.
South Alabama ranks last in the Sun Belt in scoring offense at 17 points per game, last in total offense at 315.3 yards per game and last in third-down conversions at 30.5 percent. The Jaguars are ninth in turnover margin at minus-5. Defensively, South Alabama is fourth in the league in scoring defense, allowing 30.7 points per game.
Scouting Arkansas State
Arkansas State is 7-4 overall and 5-2 in the Sun Belt and has reached bowl eligibility for the ninth consecutive season. Hugh Freeze, Gus Malzahn and Bryan Harsin each coached the Red Wolves for one season, leading them to a bowl game before leaving for other jobs. Blake Anderson is in his sixth season and has taken Arkansas State to a bowl game in each of his first five, winning one, against UCF in 2016.
Anderson has coached this season following the death of his wife from cancer, a story that was featured in a segment on ESPN’s College GameDay.
The Red Wolves beat Troy 50-43, Louisiana-Monroe 48-41, Coastal Carolina 28-27 and Georgia Southern 38-33. Their losses include a 55-0 defeat at Georgia and a 52-38 loss to Georgia State.
Arkansas State ranks second in the Sun Belt in passing offense at more than 300 yards per game and averages 34 points and more than 430 total yards. Wide receiver Omar Bayless leads the nation in receiving yards (1,375) and receiving touchdowns (15) and has 85 catches.
The Red Wolves are ninth of 10 Sun Belt teams in total defense at 480 yards allowed per game and ninth in both rushing and passing defense. Their red zone defense ranks second in the conference at 78 percent, behind Louisiana-Lafayette.
Arkansas State is an 11-point favorite.
How to Follow
Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29. The game will stream on ESPN+. Pregame radio coverage begins at 2 p.m. on 99.5 FM The Jag and 96.1 FM in Mobile and worldwide on the iHeartMedia app.
