MOBILE, Ala. — For the first time in the history of its football program, South Alabama is preparing to bounce back from a loss as the Jaguars travel to Kent, Ohio, to face Kent State on Saturday.
Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. The game will be streamed free on kentstatesports.com.
Moving On From NC State
The Jaguars suffered the first defeat in program history last week against NC State. Head coach Joey Jones has said his team played well in the game but did not make enough plays to win, and that there are mistakes to correct this week.
Wide receiver Corey Waldon said at Monday’s news conference that the players took responsibility for the result.
“We are hungry — we want it. We feel like we let ourselves down,” Waldon said. “We had a meeting as a team after the game, and we felt like that it was on us to win that game and we let it get out of reach. It’s on us to go into practice this week hungry and get better.”
Kent State’s Defensive Front
Jones said the Golden Flashes are known for their defense and pointed to their success against the run last season.
“They were top five in the country last year against the running game,” Jones said. “They have one of the best players I have seen in Roosevelt Nix on the defensive line – he was a preseason All-American. He is undersized, but can really play.”
Kent State has allowed just over 325 yards per game through three contests. In its season opener against Alabama, the Golden Flashes’ defensive front forced five turnovers.
Overall, Kent State has allowed 515 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns, along with 461 passing yards and two passing touchdowns. The defense has recorded five interceptions.
Golden Flashes Offense
Kent State has scored 19 points while allowing 105 through its first three games, a stretch that included matchups with Alabama and Kansas State.
The Golden Flashes have rushed for 181 total yards, including minus-9 yards against Alabama. Through the air, they have thrown for 294 yards with two touchdowns and four interceptions.
First-Year Coach Darrell Hazell
Kent State is led by first-year head coach Darrell Hazell, who spent the previous seven seasons at Ohio State under Jim Tressel as wide receivers coach. Hazell coached a number of All-Big Ten players with the Buckeyes, six of whom are now in the NFL. His previous stops also include Rutgers, West Virginia and Army.
