MOBILE, Ala. — South Alabama returns home after a three-game road trip to host Georgia State on Saturday at Hancock Whitney Stadium, with kickoff set for 2:30 p.m. on ESPNU.
The Jaguars (3-5, 2-3 Sun Belt Conference) have lost three straight, all on the road against upper-tier Sun Belt opponents, and have scored a combined 33 points in those games. Georgia State (3-4, 2-4 SBC) is a three-point favorite. The game will also be carried on radio by Sports Talk 99.5 FM and 96.1 The Rocket and on iHeartRadio.
Last Week
South Alabama lost 38-10 at Louisiana-Lafayette. Running back Carlos Davis was held to 18 yards on six carries, and quarterback Desmond Trotter threw for 145 yards, was sacked three times and threw an interception.
Georgia State lost 17-13 at Appalachian State in Boone, N.C. The Panthers led 10-3 at halftime and had allowed 89 yards before the Mountaineers’ backup quarterback, playing after the starter was injured late in the game, led the winning drive. Georgia State beat Louisiana-Monroe the week before.
South Alabama’s three wins came against Southern Miss, Texas State and Louisiana-Monroe, who have a combined record of 3-21.
Quarterback Situation
Trotter has taken nearly all of the snaps in recent weeks after splitting time early in the season with junior college transfer Chance Lovertich.
AL.com reported this week that Lovertich is out indefinitely for a reason not related to COVID-19 and had not been at practice for two days. Head coach Steve Campbell told AL.com after Wednesday’s practice, “I doubt we will see him again this year.” Lovertich has not left the program or entered the transfer portal, and his status remains unclear. True freshman Eli Gainey is the backup to Trotter.
Redshirt sophomore wide receiver Mo Edwards Jr. has entered the transfer portal. He appeared in four of South Alabama’s first five games without a reception.
Offensive Line and Red Zone Concerns
South Alabama will be without offensive linemen Jacob Shoemaker and Connor Estes for the second straight game because of COVID-19 protocols and contact tracing. Trotter has been sacked 13 times in the last three games.
The Jaguars have scored one touchdown and three field goals on six red-zone trips over the last two games. On one empty trip, Kawaan Baker was stopped short of the goal line from the wildcat formation near the 1-yard line.
Georgia State Offense
Georgia State averages 33.3 points, 396.6 total yards, 205.1 rushing yards and 191.4 passing yards per game. The Panthers were held to 106 total yards in a 51-0 loss to Coastal Carolina.
Destin Coates leads the ground game with 581 yards and five touchdowns on 126 carries. Tucker Gregg has 347 yards and three touchdowns on 51 carries. Quarterback Cornelius Brown IV has rushed for 231 yards and five touchdowns and has completed 115 of 207 passes for 1,340 yards, 13 touchdowns and five interceptions.
Sam Pinckney leads the receivers with 29 catches for 451 yards and six touchdowns. Cornelius McCoy has 19 catches for 221 yards, and Roger Carter has 15 catches for 179 yards and four touchdowns.
Georgia State Defense
The Panthers allow 36.9 points, 446.4 total yards, 324.4 passing yards and 122 rushing yards per game. They held Appalachian State to 17 points and 310 yards a week after allowing 51 points to Coastal Carolina.
Safety Antavious Lane leads Georgia State with 50 tackles, three interceptions, six pass breakups and a forced fumble. Inside linebacker Blake Carroll has 49 tackles, four pass breakups, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
