MOBILE, Ala. — South Alabama will play in a bowl game in back-to-back seasons for the first time in program history when it meets Eastern Michigan in the 68 Ventures Bowl on Saturday night at Hancock Whitney Stadium.
The game carries several other firsts for the Jaguars. South Alabama (6-6, 4-4 Sun Belt Conference) is seeking its first bowl victory after losses in its three previous bowl appearances, and a win would give the program consecutive winning seasons for the first time. It is also South Alabama’s first appearance in the 68 Ventures Bowl, which is played in Mobile, and its first meeting with Eastern Michigan (6-6, 4-4 Mid-American Conference).
The Jaguars will be the designated visiting team despite playing in their home stadium. The 68 Ventures Bowl and the Las Vegas Bowl, between Northwestern and Utah on ABC, are the only two games in Saturday’s evening television window.
South Alabama is favored by 16.5 points, the second-largest point spread of the bowl season behind Oregon’s 17.5-point line over Liberty in the Fiesta Bowl.
Eastern Michigan Eagles
Eastern Michigan clinched bowl eligibility in its regular-season finale with a 24-11 win at Buffalo, its only road victory of the year. The Eagles went 5-1 at home and 1-5 away. They are plus-3 in turnover margin, with 15 giveaways (10 interceptions, five lost fumbles) and 18 takeaways (11 fumble recoveries, seven interceptions).
Quarterback Austin Smith completed 171 of 298 passes for 1,775 yards, nine touchdowns and seven interceptions but has entered the transfer portal. Junior Ike Udengwu III has completed 13 of 28 passes for 100 yards and two interceptions. Freshman Cam’Ron McCoy has attempted one pass.
Tanner Knue leads Eastern Michigan with 50 catches for 479 yards and three touchdowns. JB Mitchell III has 35 receptions for 398 yards, Hamze El-Zayat has 25 for 370 yards and two scores, and Jaylon Jackson has 22 catches for 221 yards and two touchdowns.
Samson Evans leads the ground game with 635 yards and 12 touchdowns on 142 carries, and Jackson has 574 yards on 125 attempts. Evans ran for 127 yards and a touchdown in the win at Buffalo but may not play because of an injury. He reportedly traveled with the team.
Linebackers Chase Kline (143 tackles, 48 solo, five tackles for loss, two sacks, 10 quarterback hurries) and Joe Sparacio (131 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks) lead the defense. Defensive back Quentavius Scandrett has 56 tackles and two interceptions. Peyton Price has four sacks and Justin Jefferson has 3.5 sacks and 6.5 tackles for loss.
Punter Mitchell Tomasek averages 45.31 yards with 24 punts downed inside the 20 and a long of 72. Kicker Jesus Gomez made 11 of 15 field goals with a long of 55.
Eagles Hit by Transfer Portal
In addition to Smith, Eastern Michigan has lost several players to the transfer portal. Defensive end Mikah Coleman, who led the team with 4.5 sacks and had 6.5 tackles for loss and eight quarterback hurries, committed to Cincinnati. Tight end Andreas Paaske committed to Arkansas, and offensive lineman Zach Conti committed to Southern Miss. Tight end CJ Horton and wide receiver Javon Swinton also entered the portal, along with defensive tackle Alex Merritt (27 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss).
South Alabama Jaguars
South Alabama is coming off a 10-3 season in 2022. This season’s highlights include a 33-7 win at Oklahoma State in Stillwater, back-to-back 55-point performances against Louisiana-Monroe and Southern Miss, and a 28-0 shutout of Marshall that clinched bowl eligibility with a game to play. The Jaguars opened the season with a loss at Tulane and closed it with a loss at Texas State. They are even in turnover margin, with 19 giveaways and 19 takeaways.
Carter Bradley started 11 games at quarterback, completing 221 of 326 passes (67.8 percent) for 2,660 yards, 19 touchdowns and seven interceptions. True freshman Gio Lopez, who started against Troy while Bradley was out with a knee injury, has completed 27 of 42 passes for 283 yards. Desmond Trotter is 20 of 24 for 236 yards and four touchdowns, nearly all of it coming in relief of Bradley in the finale at Texas State, where Trotter went 18 of 21 for 220 yards and four scores.
Jamaal Pritchett is the top available receiver with 49 catches for 756 yards and six touchdowns. DJ Thomas-Jones has 24 catches for 212 yards and three scores, and Javon Ivory has 16 receptions for 183 yards.
Kentrel Bullock, the leading available rusher with 380 yards and three touchdowns on 77 carries, returns after missing the finale with an injury. Marco Lee has 220 yards and two touchdowns. Braylon McReynolds, who broke his collarbone in the season opener, has 161 yards on 33 carries and is listed as the starter.
Defensively, Quentin Wilfawn leads the Jaguars with 81 tackles, 6.5 sacks, 15 tackles for loss, six quarterback hurries and two forced fumbles. Trey Kiser has 68 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks, and James Miller has 67 tackles. Jaden Voisin has 66 tackles and a team-high four interceptions, and Marquise Robinson has two.
Punter Jack Martin averages 40.05 yards, and kicker Diego Guajardo made 13 of 18 field goals, including all of his attempts inside 40 yards, with a long of 51.
Jaguars Missing Key Pieces
South Alabama will be without its two most productive offensive players. Wide receiver Caullin Lacy, a first-team All-Sun Belt selection who caught 91 passes for 1,316 yards and seven touchdowns, entered the transfer portal and has committed to Louisville. Running back La’Damian Webb, who ran for 1,007 yards and 16 touchdowns on 186 carries, will miss the game with turf toe as he prepares for the NFL draft, having exhausted his eligibility.
Freshman Anthony Eager is listed as the starter in Lacy’s place on the depth chart released this week, with redshirt junior Jeremiah Webb behind him.
Defensive lineman Nathan Rawlins-Kibonge has entered the portal. Linebacker Gavin Forsha, a Kansas State transfer, entered and reportedly withdrew shortly afterward. Offensive lineman Dontae Lucas, a Florida State transfer who has started 11 of 12 games at right guard this season after starting at left guard in 2022, reportedly plans to enter the portal after the bowl game.
Bradley has been taking part in drills while managing the knee injury that kept him out of the Troy game and forced him from the Texas State game. Trotter and Lopez have received additional practice repetitions. Head coach Kane Wommack has said the Jaguars plan to use multiple quarterbacks in the game.
Kickoff
The 68 Ventures Bowl is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 23, at Hancock Whitney Stadium on the South Alabama campus.
