MOBILE, Ala. — South Alabama returns home for homecoming Saturday against Central Michigan in its final non-conference game, a week after a 33-7 win at Oklahoma State that ranks among the biggest victories in program history.
The Jaguars (2-1) led the Cowboys 23-0 at halftime in Stillwater and rushed for more yards (248) than Oklahoma State gained in total offense (208). South Alabama was named the Cheez-It Team of the Week and received a delivery of Cheez-It boxes on Monday.
A Test of the ‘Neutral Mindset’
Head coach Kane Wommack, in his third season, has emphasized a “neutral mindset” — players avoiding emotional highs and lows from game to game and play to play — along with consistency.
The Jaguars have struggled to follow big wins before. In 2016, Wommack’s first game as South Alabama’s defensive coordinator, the Jaguars won 21-20 at Mississippi State for their first win over a Power Five and SEC program, then lost to Georgia Southern 24-9 and at Louisiana-Lafayette 28-23 before needing overtime to beat Nicholls 41-40. Later that season, South Alabama beat No. 19 San Diego State 42-24 and then lost to Arkansas State 17-7 and Troy 28-21.
Jaguars Rolling in Stillwater
South Alabama scored on its first three possessions and on four of six first-half possessions against Oklahoma State. The defense kept the Cowboys off the scoreboard until early in the fourth quarter and allowed no play longer than 21 yards.
La’Damian Webb rushed for 151 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries while on a limited play count, including a 65-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. Kentrel Bullock added 71 yards on 18 carries and Marco Lee Jr. 30 yards on six carries. Carter Bradley completed 10 of 16 passes for 152 yards and two touchdowns, both to Caullin Lacy, who had five catches for 104 yards, including a 57-yard score.
Offensive lineman Josh McCulloch did not play after a midweek knee injury, and Jordan Davis started in his place. Bradley was sacked twice and had no quarterback hurries recorded against him.
For the season South Alabama averages 389.7 total yards, 201 passing yards and 188.7 rushing yards per game. The Jaguars have converted 20 of 39 third downs and 3 of 4 fourth downs, have scored on all nine red zone trips with seven touchdowns, and have allowed seven sacks. They are plus-1 in turnover margin.
The defense allowed Oklahoma State 114 passing yards and 94 rushing yards. For the season, South Alabama allows 352 yards per game, 252.7 passing and 99.3 rushing, and opponents have converted 13 of 34 third downs and scored four touchdowns on 11 red zone trips. James Miller leads with 19 tackles and a fumble recovery, Jaden Voisin has 16 tackles and a forced fumble, and Trey Kiser has 15 tackles. Brock Higdon leads with two sacks. Defensive coordinator Corey Batoon and assistant coach Jay Hopson work with the secondary.
Diego Guajardo made both field goals at Oklahoma State and is 3-of-4 with a long of 42 yards. Jack Martin averages 43.4 yards per punt.
Injury Report
Receiver Devin Voisin (knee) and defensive back Keith Gallmon Jr. (torn pectoral muscle) are out for the season after injuries against Southeastern Louisiana. It is the second straight season Gallmon has missed with a torn pectoral, on the opposite side from the 2022 injury. Offensive lineman Reggie Smith was injured late in fall camp and will miss the season, and running back Braylon McReynolds is likely out for the regular season with a broken collarbone suffered at Tulane. The Jaguars came out of the Oklahoma State game largely healthy.
Central Michigan
Central Michigan (1-2) lost its opener 31-7 at Michigan State and fell 41-17 at Notre Dame last week after trailing 21-14 at halftime. The Chippewas had 12 players out because of COVID-19 against the Irish, who gained 578 yards. Between those games, Central Michigan beat No. 11 FCS team New Hampshire 45-42 on a field goal as time expired after the Wildcats rallied from a 42-28 deficit.
The Chippewas average 23 points, 309 total yards, 145.7 passing yards and 163.3 rushing yards per game, and have converted 11 of 44 third downs and 4 of 5 fourth downs. Quarterback Bert Emanuel Jr. missed the Notre Dame game with an illness but is expected to return; he has completed 18 of 36 passes for 280 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions and has rushed for 142 yards and two touchdowns. Jase Bauer is 13-of-29 for 157 yards. Chris Parker has five catches for 142 yards and a touchdown, and Tyson Davis has five for 92 yards. Myles Bailey leads the rushing attack with 186 yards and two touchdowns on 38 carries.
Central Michigan’s defense alternates between three- and four-man fronts and allows 38 points, 507.3 total yards, 371.3 passing yards and 136 rushing yards per game. Donte Kent leads with 26 tackles and Kyle Moretti has 25. Jacques Bristol leads with three tackles for loss. Kicker Tristan Mattson, a transfer from Arkansas State, is 2-of-3 with a long of 47 yards, and punter Jake Walrath averages 45.1 yards.
South Alabama is a 14.5-point favorite.
