MOBILE, Ala. — South Alabama opens the 2018 football season Saturday against Louisiana Tech at Ladd-Peebles Stadium, the first game under new head coach Steve Campbell.
Campbell and his staff replaced Joey Jones, the program’s first head coach, and his staff after last season. Louisiana Tech is listed as roughly a 10.5-point favorite.
Quarterback Decision Pending
Campbell has not named a starting quarterback, and a decision may not be announced until shortly before kickoff. He has said all three quarterbacks could play in the opener.
New Offense Under Edenfield
Offensive coordinator Kenny Edenfield, who came from Troy, is installing a fast-paced, no-huddle offense that includes the read option.
The backfield will have a new look. Career rushing leader Xavier Johnson is gone after being dismissed before the end of last season because of rules violations. Tra Minter is the lead tailback on the depth chart released this week.
The starting receivers are Jamarius Way (6-foot-4) at X, Jordan McCray (6-foot-5) at Z and Kawaan Baker (6-foot-1) at H, with Collier Smith (6-foot-2) at tight end. South Alabama will rely on a young offensive line.
Gavin Patterson returns at placekicker, and Corliss Waitman returns as the punter.
Defense Returns Experience
South Alabama’s defense returns a number of experienced players, including Jalen Thompson, who sat out last season for academic reasons.
Scouting Louisiana Tech
The Bulldogs return eight starters on offense and seven on defense, including an experienced offensive line and defensive line. Louisiana Tech also returns its starting quarterback for the first time in several seasons.
Last Year’s Meeting
South Alabama trailed 17-7 in the first quarter of last season’s game against Louisiana Tech before its defense allowed only 78 total yards over the next two quarters. The Jaguars entered the fourth quarter down by one point, but the Bulldogs scored 17 fourth-quarter points to pull away.
South Alabama competes in the Sun Belt Conference.
