MOBILE, Ala. — South Alabama returned to the practice field Tuesday, following its usual Monday off day, to continue preparations for Saturday’s Sun Belt Conference game against two-time defending league champion Arkansas State at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m.
The South Alabama athletic department is encouraging fans to wear blue to the game.
Red Wolves Enter at 3-4
Arkansas State (3-4, 1-1 Sun Belt) is coming off a 23-7 loss to Louisiana-Lafayette. The Red Wolves have won the past two Sun Belt championships.
Arkansas State’s wins this season have come against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Troy and Idaho. Its losses are to Auburn, Memphis, Missouri and Louisiana-Lafayette. The Red Wolves are 0-3 in games played away from home.
Different Look for the Defense
South Alabama’s defense faced Texas State’s option attack last week in a 33-31 loss. This week, the Jaguars will see a more traditional spread offense from Arkansas State.
Running back David Oku returns for the Red Wolves after playing for them last season. Arkansas State’s starting quarterback from last season graduated, and the Red Wolves are now led at the position by a transfer from Utah State.
Game Information
- Opponent: Arkansas State Red Wolves (3-4, 1-1 Sun Belt)
- Site: Ladd-Peebles Stadium, Mobile
- Kickoff: Saturday, 6:30 p.m.
- Fan note: Fans are asked to wear blue
Update: Romelle Jones Status, Statistical Matchup
Head coach Joey Jones said Thursday that Romelle Jones, who had been expected to miss Saturday’s game, may be able to play. Romelle Jones sprained the MCL in his left knee on a chop block against Texas State. Joey Jones said there is no structural damage and that the decision will be made at game time, depending on how well Romelle Jones can play through the pain.
Arkansas State is familiar with Ladd-Peebles Stadium, having played in each of the past two GoDaddy.com Bowl games in Mobile.
Sun Belt Statistical Comparison
Both teams enter the game 3-4 overall. Among Sun Belt teams:
- Scoring offense: South Alabama 3rd (31.3 points per game); Arkansas State 5th (27.6).
- Scoring defense: Arkansas State 5th (28.9 points allowed); South Alabama 6th (29.1).
- Total offense: South Alabama 3rd (446.6 yards per game); Arkansas State 5th (435.1).
- Rushing offense: Arkansas State 192.4 yards per game; South Alabama 165.6.
- Passing offense: South Alabama 3rd (281.0 yards per game); Arkansas State 4th (240.1).
- Total defense: South Alabama 5th (416.0 yards allowed); Arkansas State 6th (444.4).
- Rushing defense: South Alabama 5th (173.1 yards allowed); Arkansas State 7th of 8 (204.3).
- Pass defense: Arkansas State 4th (240.1 yards allowed); South Alabama 5th (242.9).
- Pass efficiency: Arkansas State 3rd (137.3); South Alabama 4th (134.1).
- Pass efficiency defense: Arkansas State 5th (128.9); South Alabama 6th (135.4).
- Kickoff returns: Arkansas State 1st (28.4 yards); South Alabama 2nd (23.6).
- Punt returns: Arkansas State 5th (7.4 yards); South Alabama 7th (6.4).
- Interceptions: South Alabama 4th (8 in seven games); Arkansas State 7th (5).
- Net punting: Arkansas State 4th (36.6 yards); South Alabama 7th (35.1).
- Kickoff coverage: Arkansas State 4th (40.1-yard net); South Alabama 5th (37.6).
- Field goals: Arkansas State 1st (9 of 9); South Alabama tied for 6th (8 of 13).
- Sacks: South Alabama 2nd (18); Arkansas State tied for 3rd (14).
- Sacks allowed: South Alabama tied for 1st (12); Arkansas State last (19).
- First downs: South Alabama 5th (22.6 per game); Arkansas State 6th (21.9).
- Opponent first downs: South Alabama 5th (21.0); Arkansas State 6th (21.7).
- Third-down conversions: Arkansas State 2nd (47.2 percent); South Alabama 5th (40.4).
- Opponent third-down conversions: South Alabama 4th (41.2 percent); Arkansas State 6th (42.1).
- Fourth-down conversions: South Alabama 5th (30.8 percent); Arkansas State last (0 of 10).
- Opponent fourth-down conversions: Arkansas State 6th (45.5 percent); South Alabama opponents 54.5 percent.
Update: McClain Likely to Step In; Metheny Leads Sun Belt in Total Offense
If Romelle Jones cannot play, Jerome McClain is expected to start in his place on the defensive line. McClain, a 6-foot-3, 275-pound junior college transfer from Northwest Mississippi Community College and a Pensacola, Fla., native, has played in all seven games this season and has 16 tackles.
South Alabama’s defensive line has already lost Will Thompson for the season during preseason camp and Randon Carnathan to an Achilles injury in the Jaguars’ second game, against Tulane. Assistant coach Brian Turner told AL.com that Ceasare Johnson will move back inside to help absorb the loss of Romelle Jones until he returns.
On offense, quarterback Ross Metheny leads the Sun Belt in total offense at 267.3 yards per game, ahead of Troy’s Corey Robinson at 265.5. Metheny has eight rushing touchdowns and caught a two-point conversion pass for 50 points, an average of 7.1 points per game that ranks fifth in the conference in scoring. He is fourth in the league in passing yards per game at 227 and in pass efficiency at 143.5.
Joey Jones said Wednesday’s practice was solid. He said the team started slowly and appeared a little tired but picked up the pace toward the end, and that the Jaguars must go out and make good things happen rather than wait for them.
Update: Gameday Information and Hall of Fame Inductions
Both teams enter Saturday’s game 3-4 overall. South Alabama is 1-2 in Sun Belt play after last week’s loss at Texas State, and Arkansas State is 1-1 in the league. The Red Wolves have won eight consecutive road games against Sun Belt opponents. South Alabama is listed as a 3.5-point favorite.
Arkansas State receiver and return specialist J.K. McKissic, a Phenix City, Ala., native, leads the Sun Belt with 5.7 receptions per game. He has 40 catches for 347 yards and two touchdowns, and he ranks third in the league in punt return average, kickoff return average and all-purpose yards per game (123.7). Quarterback Adam Kennedy transferred to Arkansas State from Utah State. Joey Jones said the Red Wolves lead the conference in offense, are talented at the skill positions and have several seniors on the defensive front.
The game doubles as the USA Sports Hall of Fame game. Amber Angermeier (women’s soccer, 2001-04), Stephanie Richardson (women’s basketball, 1988-91) and Vincent Rono (men’s track and field and cross country, 2006-07) will be inducted and honored at halftime.
- Fan items: Fans are asked to wear Jaguar blue, and the first 10,000 fans will receive a white Jaguar rally towel.
- Parking: Stadium parking passes are available only to season ticket holders. Lots near the stadium are not controlled or managed by USA or Ladd-Peebles Stadium.
- Shuttle: The Wave runs a $2.50 round-trip shuttle from the Bel Air Mall lot south of Target and JC Penney beginning at 2:30 p.m. and continuing until 90 minutes after the game. USA is providing security at the lit lot.
- Jaguar Prowl: 4:10 p.m., with coaches and players walking from their buses along the south side of the stadium to the southeast entrance.
- Broadcast: 105.5 FM WNSP in Mobile and streaming at wnsp.com; video on ESPN3.com.
