MOBILE, Ala. — South Alabama travels to Beaumont, Texas, on Saturday when the unbeaten Jaguars face Lamar, another young program, at Provost Umphrey Stadium. The South Alabama Lamar game kicks off at 6 p.m.
South Alabama is 5-0 this season and 12-0 in the history of its program. Lamar is 3-3 in its first season after restarting a football program that last played in 1989.
Jones on the Cardinals
Head coach Joey Jones said Lamar’s roster is built on athleticism.
“When you turn the tape on and watch Lamar, what you see is a bunch of really good athletes,” Jones said. “They have done a good job recruiting from the junior college ranks in Texas and all over. Their staff has done a good job of pulling in some immediate talent.”
Jones described the Cardinals’ offense as capable of big plays.
“When you look at what they do offensively, they are a quick-strike, big-play team,” he said. “They have a really good quarterback who is very accurate, he can scramble around and make plays. And they have some great receivers who are tall and can run.”
He added that Lamar leaned more on the run in its most recent game. “It looks like last week, they really tried to run the ball more, and did a very good job of that. I think it’s helped their football team from a balance standpoint.”
Jones said his players are looking forward to the trip. “We’re excited about the game and going on the road,” he said. “It looks like a great environment to be in after watching it on film, our kids are looking forward to that.”
Lamar’s Season So Far
Lamar opened with a 30-27 loss at McNeese State, which was ranked No. 11 in the Football Championship Subdivision at the time. The Cardinals then rallied to beat Southeastern Louisiana 29-28. Southeastern Louisiana went on to upset nationally ranked Texas State last week.
Lamar’s other losses came against Stephen F. Austin, 71-3, and Sam Houston State, 38-10. Stephen F. Austin was ranked fifth nationally, and both teams are among the three still unbeaten in Southland Conference play. Lamar’s other wins came against Webber International, 21-14, and Langston, 14-0, last weekend.
Receivers to Watch
Receiver J.J. Hayes has 31 catches for 372 yards and five touchdowns. Marcus Jackson has 27 receptions for 557 yards and five scores. Together they account for more than half of Lamar’s passing yardage.
Hayes suffered a neck and throat injury in a recent game when his face mask was pushed into his neck. He returned to practice this week, but his status for Saturday has not been determined.
By the Numbers
Lamar averages just over 17 points per game and allows just over 30.
- Rushing: 321 yards on 151 carries, 2.1 yards per carry and 53.5 yards per game. The Cardinals ran for 147 yards in last week’s win over Langston.
- Rushing defense: 990 yards allowed, 4.2 yards per carry and 165 yards per game.
- Passing: 1,727 yards, 7.6 yards per attempt, 13.3 yards per completion and 287.8 yards per game, with 11 interceptions.
- Passing defense: 1,471 yards allowed, 8.1 yards per attempt, 13.9 yards per completion and 245.2 yards per game, with four interceptions.
- Total defense: about 410 yards allowed per game. South Alabama averages 447.4 yards of offense per game.
Special Teams
Lamar averages 23.4 yards per kickoff return and allows 22.1. The Cardinals average 9.3 yards per punt return and allow 14.3. Their punters average 38.2 yards per kick with a net of 32.3, and their kickers have made 4 of 6 field goal attempts.
Turnovers and Situational Football
Lamar has fumbled 16 times and lost six, while its opponents have fumbled 17 times and lost seven. With 11 interceptions thrown and four made, the Cardinals have a turnover margin of minus-6.
Lamar averages 7.7 penalties for 62 yards per game. It converts 28 percent of third downs, while opponents convert 42 percent. On fourth down, Lamar is 40 percent on 10 attempts and opponents are 50 percent on 12 attempts.
The Cardinals score on 69 percent of their red zone trips, with touchdowns on 44 percent. Opponents score on 71 percent of red zone trips, with touchdowns on 54 percent.
Second-Half Team
Nearly 65 percent of Lamar’s points have come in the second half. The fourth quarter has been its most productive offensive period and the second quarter its least productive. Defensively, Lamar has allowed just under 61 percent of its points in the first half, with the second and third quarters its weakest. The Cardinals have allowed only 14 fourth-quarter points all season.
Jaguars’ Injury Situation
Several South Alabama offensive linemen have been dealing with minor injuries, and some are expected to be healthier this week. Running back Brandon Ross will miss the rest of the season after tearing his ACL.
Quarterback Brennan Sim has been cleared to play Saturday.
