MOBILE, Ala. — South Alabama hosts Arkansas State on Tuesday night at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in a nationally televised game between two teams unbeaten in Sun Belt Conference play.
Kickoff is at 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN2 and locally on LiteMix 99.9 FM.
Both teams are 1-0 in league play, so one will leave Mobile with its first conference loss. South Alabama opened its Sun Belt schedule last week with a win at Troy, taking home the championship belt in the first Battle for the Belt game between the schools at Veterans Memorial Stadium. Arkansas State beat Idaho 49-35 in its conference opener.
Last Season’s Meeting
Arkansas State beat South Alabama 45-10 in Jonesboro last season, taking advantage of three interceptions and a fumble recovery after the Jaguars fell behind early. The Red Wolves rushed for 227 yards and passed for 186, while South Alabama gained 111 rushing yards and 90 passing yards. It was the Jaguars’ second straight loss at the time. South Alabama beat Texas State the following week to become bowl eligible and went on to receive its first bowl invitation.
Jaguars Rebuilding
South Alabama, coached by Joey Jones, replaced 17 starters entering this season. The Jaguars lost non-conference games against Nebraska and NC State before opening Sun Belt play with the win at Troy.
Arkansas State’s Stability
Arkansas State has represented the Sun Belt in the GoDaddy Bowl in each of the past four seasons. This is the first season since 2010 that the Red Wolves have had the same head coach in consecutive years; Hugh Freeze, Gus Malzahn and Bryan Harsin each spent one season in Jonesboro before leaving for other programs. Arkansas State has won 12 of its last 15 Sun Belt road games.
Receiver J.D. McKissic holds most of Arkansas State’s major career receiving records and broke the Sun Belt record for career receptions last week against Idaho. Quarterback Fredi Knighten has produced at least 300 yards of total offense in seven of his last 11 games dating to last season. Running back Michael Gordon averages 6.8 yards per carry for his career.
How the Teams Compare
Statistics for both teams include games against Power Five opponents. Sun Belt rankings are in parentheses.
- Scoring offense: Arkansas State 30.4 points per game (5th); South Alabama 22.6 (10th)
- Scoring defense: Arkansas State 32.2 points allowed (3rd); South Alabama 35.8 (7th)
- Total offense: Arkansas State 394.4 yards per game (7th); South Alabama 374.8 (9th)
- Total defense: Arkansas State 390.6 yards allowed (4th); South Alabama 405.2 (5th)
- Rushing offense: Arkansas State 192.8 yards per game (5th); South Alabama 137.8 (7th)
- Rushing defense: Arkansas State 169.8 yards allowed (3rd); South Alabama 204.8 (6th)
- Passing offense: South Alabama 237.0 yards per game (4th); Arkansas State 201.6 (8th)
- Passing defense: South Alabama 200.4 yards allowed (4th); Arkansas State 220.8 (6th)
- Interceptions: Arkansas State 10 (tied for 1st); South Alabama 6 (4th)
- Sacks: Arkansas State 8 (5th); South Alabama 3 (10th)
- Sacks allowed: South Alabama 10 (4th); Arkansas State 12 (tied for 7th)
- Third-down conversions: Arkansas State 38.9 percent (3rd); South Alabama 34.7 percent (9th)
- Opponent third-down conversions: Arkansas State 37.0 percent (5th); South Alabama 42.4 percent (7th)
- Penalties: South Alabama 25 for 44.8 yards per game (1st); Arkansas State 45 for 95.2 yards per game (11th)
- Turnover margin: South Alabama minus-3 (tied for 4th); Arkansas State minus-5 (tied for 8th)
- Punt returns: Arkansas State 8.9 yards per return (5th); South Alabama 2.0 (10th)
- Red zone offense: Arkansas State 77.8 percent (10th); South Alabama 71.4 percent (11th)
- Red zone defense: Arkansas State 88.2 percent (8th); South Alabama 100 percent (11th)
