STATESBORO, Ga. — South Alabama brings its bowl hopes to Georgia Southern on Saturday, one week after a road upset of Sun Belt Conference leader Arkansas State. The South Alabama vs. Georgia Southern game kicks off at 2 p.m. in Statesboro.
The Jaguars are 4-6 overall and 3-3 in the Sun Belt. A loss would leave them at 4-7 and end their chances of reaching bowl eligibility. Georgia Southern is 0-9 overall and 0-5 in league play and is trying to avoid becoming the first team in school history to open a season 0-10. The Eagles have never lost to South Alabama, and Saturday is Senior Day in Statesboro.
South Alabama is listed as a 5-point favorite.
Turnovers Carried Jaguars at Arkansas State
South Alabama beat Arkansas State 23-18 last week on the strength of six takeaways, including four interceptions of Red Wolves quarterback Justice Hansen. Three of the turnovers came in the first quarter. The defense preserved the win with a forced fumble at the goal line by Bull Barge, who was named the Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Week.
The Jaguars finished with 340 total yards despite minus-3 rushing yards. Quarterback Cole Garvin threw for 343 yards and was named the Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Week.
Georgia Southern in Transition
Georgia Southern, a six-time FCS national champion, won nine games in each of its first two seasons after moving to the FBS in 2014. Head coach Willie Fritz then left for Tulane, and the Eagles hired Tyson Summers, who went 5-7 in 2016. This season, Georgia Southern lost 22-12 to FCS New Hampshire in its second game, and Summers was fired after a 55-20 loss to UMass in the eighth week of the season.
The Eagles average 16.3 points and 295.2 yards per game, with 191.8 yards rushing and 103.4 passing. They convert 30.3 percent of third downs. They have scored on 69.6 percent of their red zone trips, with touchdowns on 39.1 percent. Georgia Southern has fumbled 31 times, losing 12, and has thrown six interceptions.
Defensively, Georgia Southern allows 37.1 points and 443.9 yards per game, including 200.1 on the ground and 242.8 through the air. Opponents convert 43.4 percent of third downs and have scored on 82.4 percent of red zone trips, with touchdowns 70.6 percent of the time. The Eagles have forced nine fumbles, recovered five and intercepted eight passes.
South Alabama by the Numbers
- Scoring: 22.1 points per game; opponents average 24.4.
- Total offense: 346.4 yards per game, with 111.6 rushing and 234.8 passing.
- Third downs: 31 percent conversion rate, an improvement since the resignation of offensive coordinator Bryant Vincent.
- Red zone: points on 76 percent of trips, touchdowns on 45 percent.
- Ball security: 10 fumbles, two lost, and 10 interceptions thrown.
- Total defense: 393.3 yards allowed per game, 142.6 rushing and 251.3 passing.
- Red zone defense: opponents score on 71 percent of trips, with touchdowns on 42 percent.
- Takeaways: 19 forced fumbles with 12 recoveries, plus seven interceptions.
Injuries Thin the Backfield
South Alabama has lost five running backs in recent weeks and had only two active players at the position against Arkansas State. To add depth, the Jaguars have moved freshman wide receiver Jalen Wayne into the backfield. Wayne made a similar switch to running back in high school at Spanish Fort.
The Jaguars have also lost several players in the secondary, a position that was thin entering the season. Garvin and quarterback Dallas Davis have both played through injuries this season.
How to Follow
The game will be streamed on ESPN3. Radio coverage in the Mobile area airs on 96.1 FM and 99.5 FM The Jags, with pregame coverage beginning at noon.
