MOBILE, Ala. — South Alabama opens Sun Belt Conference play Saturday evening when it hosts Texas State at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.
The Jaguars, in their first season under head coach Steve Campbell, enter the game 0-2 after a four-point loss to Louisiana Tech and a 55-13 loss at Oklahoma State. South Alabama is a 10.5-point favorite.
Quarterback Rotation Continues
South Alabama is expected to continue rotating quarterbacks among seniors Evan Orth and Cole Garvin and redshirt freshman Cephus Johnson. Garvin started the opener against Louisiana Tech, and Orth started at Oklahoma State.
Campbell said on his weekly radio show that he and offensive coordinator Kenny Edenfield are waiting for one of the three to separate himself from the others and become “the guy.”
The Jaguars are averaging 113.5 passing yards per game, 8.1 yards per completion and 3.7 yards per rush. Kawaan Baker has scored five of the team’s six touchdowns this season.
Defensive Numbers
South Alabama’s defense has allowed more than 1,000 yards through two games, with opponents averaging nearly 200 rushing yards and more than 300 passing yards per game. Opponents are gaining 4.3 yards per rush and 14.7 yards per completion, figures inflated by Oklahoma State’s output last weekend.
The Jaguars lost two players to injuries last weekend, and both are likely out for the season. Long snapper Andrew Zink tore his ACL, and linebacker Roy Yancey suffered a broken leg.
Texas State Quarterback
Texas State sophomore quarterback Willie Jones III earned his first win as a starter last week against an FCS opponent, completing 62 percent of his passes and rushing for 107 yards.
The teams last met in 2015, when Texas State won 36-18 in rain-soaked conditions in San Marcos, Texas. The Bobcats scored 19 unanswered points in the second quarter of that game.
South Alabama by the Numbers
- Third-down conversion rate: 20 percent
- Interceptions thrown: three
- Fumbles: three, two lost
- Penalties: 19 in two games, averaging 83.5 penalty yards per game; opponents are also averaging 83.5 penalty yards per game
- Field goal attempts: none
- Fourth-down conversions: 4 of 7 (57 percent)
- Defensive sacks: seven
- Interceptions: five
- Forced fumbles: three, one recovered
