CONWAY, S.C. — South Alabama faces its toughest test of the season Saturday night when the Jaguars visit No. 15 Coastal Carolina, the highest-ranked team in Sun Belt Conference history, at Brooks Stadium.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, on ESPNU. The game will air on Sports Talk 99.5 FM, 96.1 The Rocket and iHeartRadio.
The Jaguars (3-3, 2-1 Sun Belt) are playing the second game of a three-game road swing. They suffered their first conference loss last week at Georgia Southern, where South Alabama led for most of the game before the Eagles took control in the fourth quarter for a 24-17 win.
South Alabama sits a half-game behind West Division leader Louisiana-Lafayette, its opponent next week. Head coach Steve Campbell has noted that the Jaguars still control their own destiny in the division race. Coastal Carolina enters 6-0 overall and 4-0 in the Sun Belt.
Chanticleers on Offense
Coastal Carolina ranks 11th nationally in scoring at 40.3 points per game and 25th in rushing at 197.8 yards per game. The Chanticleers also average 243.7 passing yards.
C.J. Marable leads a deep backfield with 353 yards and five touchdowns on 93 carries. Reese White has 228 yards and three touchdowns on 39 carries, Shermari Jones has 208 yards and two touchdowns on 43 carries, and quarterback Grayson McCall has 199 yards and four touchdowns on 48 carries.
McCall, a redshirt freshman, returned to the lineup last week against Georgia State. He has started five games, completing 77 of 111 passes for 1,184 yards, 15 touchdowns and one interception. Fred Payton has played in five games with one start, completing 17 of 33 passes for 271 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions.
Jaivon Heiligh leads the receivers with 30 catches for 515 yards and six touchdowns. The offensive line has allowed five sacks in six games, tied for seventh nationally.
The ‘Black Swarm’ Defense
Coastal Carolina’s defense, known as the “Black Swarm,” allowed 106 total yards in a 51-0 rout of Georgia State last Saturday, forcing two turnovers, recording three sacks and producing six three-and-outs. After attempting a field goal with 11:00 left in the first quarter, Georgia State did not snap the ball in Coastal Carolina territory again. For the season, the Chanticleers allow 21.6 points and 345 yards per game.
Turnovers and Injuries
South Alabama has fumbled five times, losing three, and has thrown four interceptions. The Jaguar defense has forced 11 fumbles, recovering three, and has two interceptions, leaving South Alabama at minus-2 in turnover margin. Coastal Carolina has lost three of six fumbles and thrown three interceptions while recovering three of 10 forced fumbles and intercepting eight passes, a plus-5 margin.
South Alabama will be without right guard Jacob Shoemaker because of a knee injury, and left tackle Wyatt Green has been hampered by an injury. Georgia Southern pressured quarterback Desmond Trotter with sacks and hurries late in last week’s game.
Two Jaguar defensive linemen will reportedly miss the game after positive COVID-19 tests. Two defensive assistant coaches, two graduate assistants, some video staff members and the entire equipment staff are also out because of COVID-19.
Line
Coastal Carolina is a 17.5-point favorite. South Alabama beat a ranked opponent in 2016, when it defeated San Diego State.
