JONESBORO, Ark. — South Alabama carries a four-game losing streak into its final road game of the season Saturday against Arkansas State at Centennial Bank Stadium.
Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28. The game will stream on ESPN3 and air on Sports Talk 99.5 FM, 96.1 The Rocket and iHeartRadio.
The Jaguars (3-6, 2-4 Sun Belt Conference) are seeking their second road win of the season. A victory would give South Alabama two road wins in a season for the first time since 2015. South Alabama has never won in Jonesboro.
Protection Problems
South Alabama’s offensive line has allowed 20 sacks over the last four games and 33 for the season. Georgia State sacked quarterback Desmond Trotter seven times last week. Starters Jacob Shoemaker and Connor Estes have missed the last two games because of COVID-19 protocols and contact tracing.
The Jaguars have scored 47 points over the four-game skid, an average of 11.75 points per game. Against Georgia State, South Alabama took a 14-7 lead in the third quarter before the Panthers scored the final 24 points. The Jaguar defense had held Georgia State to seven points for most of three quarters, and earlier held Coastal Carolina well below its season scoring average.
South Alabama was plus-3 in turnover margin against Georgia State, intercepting three passes and recovering a forced fumble while losing one of two fumbles. Those four takeaways account for more than 30 percent of the Jaguars’ 13 for the season, and South Alabama is minus-1 in turnover margin overall.
Red Wolves Struggling on Defense
Arkansas State (3-6, 1-5 Sun Belt) is coming off a 47-45 loss at Texas State, in which the Red Wolves gained 654 yards but allowed 505 and gave up the winning score with 34 seconds left. Running back Jamal Jones rushed for 106 yards and receiver Jeff Foreman caught three passes for 148 yards and a touchdown in the loss. Saturday’s game opens a three-game home stand for the Red Wolves, who are trying to reach .500 and bowl eligibility.
Head coach Blake Anderson dismissed his defensive coordinator earlier this season after a 59-52 win over Georgia State. The Arkansas State defense allows 39.6 points and 484.7 yards per game, including 316.6 passing and 168.1 rushing. Opponents convert 45.9 percent of third downs and score on 85 percent of red zone trips, with touchdowns on 67.5 percent. Linebacker Justin Rice leads the team with 68 tackles and seven sacks.
Arkansas State Offense
The Red Wolves average 31.4 points and 478.2 yards per game, with 352.6 passing and 125.7 rushing. They convert 37.8 percent of third downs and score on 77 percent of red zone trips, with touchdowns on 63 percent.
Arkansas State rotates two quarterbacks. Layne Hatcher has completed 97 of 166 passes for 1,591 yards, 14 touchdowns and two interceptions, while Logan Bonner has completed 139 of 229 for 1,495 yards, 13 touchdowns and five interceptions.
Jonathan Adams Jr. leads the receivers with 70 catches for 973 yards and 10 touchdowns, and Dahu Green has 32 catches for 542 yards and five touchdowns. Jones leads the rushing attack with 452 yards and three touchdowns on 99 carries, and Lincoln Pare has 450 yards and a touchdown on 72 carries.
Last Year’s Meeting
South Alabama ended a nine-game losing streak with a 34-30 win over Arkansas State in last season’s finale. Jalen Tolbert caught five passes for 144 yards and four touchdowns, and Trotter threw the four scoring passes and rushed for 58 yards as the Jaguars ran for 216 yards.
Arkansas State is a seven-point favorite.
