MOBILE, Ala. — South Alabama opens its 2017 Sun Belt Conference schedule Saturday against Idaho at Ladd-Peebles Stadium, with kickoff set for 1 p.m.
The Jaguars (1-2) enter the South Alabama vs. Idaho matchup off a win over Alabama A&M in which they scored on offense, defense and special teams. South Alabama opened the season with road losses to Power Five opponents Ole Miss, 47-27, and Oklahoma State, 44-7.
Last Season in Review
In 2016, South Alabama opened with a win at Mississippi State and later beat San Diego State, the program’s first win over a ranked opponent. The Jaguars finished 2-6 in Sun Belt play.
Series History
Saturday’s game is Idaho’s second trip to Mobile. In the first, the Vandals scored the game’s first 24 points and led 24-7 at halftime before Xavier Johnson returned the second-half kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown. South Alabama led 45-31 by the middle of the third quarter and held on for a 52-45 win.
South Alabama won the first two meetings with Idaho quarterback Matt Linehan under center before the Vandals won 38-31 last season. Idaho went on to finish 9-4, including a win in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.
Scouting Idaho
Linehan is a fourth-year starter with more than 9,000 career passing yards and a career completion rate above 65 percent. His father, Scott Linehan, is the offensive coordinator of the Dallas Cowboys. In three previous games against South Alabama, Linehan has thrown five touchdown passes and six interceptions while completing just over 60 percent of his attempts.
Idaho lost four of its top five receivers and three starting offensive linemen to graduation. The Vandals opened with a 28-6 win over Sacramento State, then lost 44-16 to UNLV and 37-28 to Western Michigan. Idaho has allowed seven rushing touchdowns over its last two games, and an opposing running back has rushed for at least 135 yards in each.
Running back Aaron Duckworth has Idaho’s longest run (74 yards) and longest reception (60 yards) this season. He also had all three of the Vandals’ runs of 40 yards or more last season.
Idaho, coached by Paul Petrino, ranks second in the Sun Belt and 41st nationally in third-down defense, allowing opponents to convert 31.8 percent of the time. South Alabama has converted 17.9 percent of its third downs this season.
Injuries in the Jaguar Secondary
South Alabama’s secondary has been hit by season-ending injuries. Neiko Robinson is out for the year with a foot injury, and sophomore Bobby Flott and freshman Gus Nave, who was named Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Week, are out for the season with knee injuries.
Sterrling Fisher has moved into a larger role, and Quinton Lane, a former wide receiver, has shifted to cornerback.
The Jaguars are coached by Joey Jones.
