MOBILE, Ala. — Unbeaten South Alabama faces one of the most prolific passing teams on its schedule Saturday when Henderson State visits Ladd-Peebles Stadium for the Jaguars’ homecoming game. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m.
The Jaguars are coming off a 39-34 win over Georgia State, the last of a three-game stretch that also included Lamar and UC Davis. South Alabama has one more game after Saturday, a season finale against Arkansas-Monticello.
Henderson State’s Season
The Reddies are 6-3 and have won two straight. They face West Georgia on Nov. 13 in a game that will decide whether they win their conference title.
Henderson State’s results this season:
- Won 44-13 vs. Southeastern Oklahoma State
- Lost 27-10 to North Alabama
- Beat Arkansas Tech
- Lost 41-37 to Delta State
- Won 47-0 vs. Arkansas-Monticello
- Won 28-17 vs. Southern Arkansas
- Lost 40-38 to West Alabama
- Won 33-28 vs. Harding
- Won 35-26 vs. Ouachita Baptist
Secondary Loses Harvey
South Alabama will be without senior defensive back Tim Harvey, who tore an ACL against Georgia State and will miss the rest of the season. Harvey intercepted two passes in that game.
Scoring and Offense
Henderson State averages 35.2 points per game and allows 23.7. South Alabama averages 43.1 points and allows 10.6, having given up 85 points in eight games.
The Reddies rely heavily on the pass. Of their 4,193 total yards, 3,406 have come through the air, and 150 of their 229 first downs have come by passing, with 59 rushing and 20 by penalty. Henderson State quarterbacks have completed 280 of 437 passes (64 percent) for 25 touchdowns and seven interceptions, averaging 378.4 passing yards per game and 12.2 yards per completion. The Reddies have 787 net rushing yards, 87.4 per game and 3.2 per carry.
South Alabama’s offense is more balanced. The Jaguars have 1,902 net rushing yards, or 237.8 per game, and 58 percent of their 165 first downs have come on the ground. South Alabama quarterbacks have completed 109 of 175 passes (62 percent) for 1,553 yards, 15 touchdowns and two interceptions, averaging 194.1 yards per game and 14.2 yards per completion.
Defense
South Alabama has allowed 500 rushing yards all season, 62.5 per game and 2.3 per carry, and 1,273 passing yards. Opponents have completed less than half their passes against the Jaguars, who have 12 interceptions.
Henderson State’s defense has allowed 1,498 rushing yards, 166.4 per game and 4.4 per carry, and 1,946 passing yards. Opponents have completed 54 percent of their passes against the Reddies, who have 13 interceptions.
Turnovers and Situational Stats
- Turnover margin: South Alabama is plus-12, with two interceptions thrown and seven fumbles lost against 12 interceptions and nine fumble recoveries. Henderson State is plus-10, having thrown seven interceptions and lost three fumbles while making 13 interceptions and recovering seven fumbles.
- Third down: South Alabama has converted 29 of 87 (33 percent); Henderson State 46 of 115 (40 percent).
- Fourth down: South Alabama is 6 of 8; Henderson State 10 of 16.
- Red zone: South Alabama has scored on 44 of 50 trips, with 32 touchdowns. Henderson State has scored on 30 of 37 trips, with 23 touchdowns.
- Penalties: South Alabama has 62 penalties for 534 yards (66.8 per game); Henderson State has 72 for 629 yards (69.9 per game).
Special Teams
South Alabama has made 13 of 17 field goal attempts and averages 38.3 yards per punt, with 14 of 28 punts downed inside the 20. Henderson State is 10 of 15 on field goals and averages 31.5 yards per punt, with 14 of 34 inside the 20.
The Jaguars average 22.8 yards per kickoff return to Henderson State’s 19.9, and 19.8 yards per punt return to the Reddies’ 9.5.
Both teams have scored the most points in the second quarter; 35 percent of Henderson State’s points have come in that period. Henderson State has allowed nearly 41 percent of its points against in the second quarter, while South Alabama has allowed 40 percent of its points against in the first quarter.
Homecoming Week
Homecoming events begin Friday with a parade down Jaguar Drive South at 6:40 p.m. The parade ends at the Bell Tower and will be followed by a pep rally and a free concert by Sister Hazel at the Mitchell Center.
South Alabama is in its second season of football under coach Joey Jones.
