HARRISONBURG, Va. — South Alabama opens Sun Belt Conference play Saturday at James Madison in the first meeting between the programs, facing an unbeaten Dukes team that leads the nation in rushing defense.
The Jaguars (2-2) are coming off a 34-30 home loss to Central Michigan. James Madison (4-0, 1-0 Sun Belt) has won seven straight games dating to last season. The Dukes opened as 5-point favorites, and the line has moved to 3.5 points.
Central Michigan Rallies Past Jaguars
Two weeks after a 33-7 win at Oklahoma State, South Alabama started quickly against Central Michigan before the Chippewas took control late in the first quarter when quarterback Jase Bauer entered the game. Central Michigan scored 20 unanswered points, and a South Alabama field goal late in the third quarter cut the deficit to three.
On the first play of the fourth quarter, Bauer escaped a sack and completed a 70-yard touchdown pass. South Alabama answered with a three-play, 75-yard drive capped by a 72-yard touchdown pass and then scored again to take the lead with 2:42 remaining.
Central Michigan faced fourth-and-7 at the South Alabama 35 on its final drive, but an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on linebacker Quentin Wilfawn gave the Chippewas a first down at the 20. Bauer scored the go-ahead touchdown a few plays later, and Central Michigan held on over the final 13 seconds.
James Madison’s Fast Start in the FBS
James Madison joined the Sun Belt in 2022, its first season in the Football Bowl Subdivision after a long run of success in the FCS. The Dukes went 8-3 overall and 6-2 in conference play last season. After midseason losses at Georgia Southern, against Marshall and at Louisville, they won their last three games, including a 47-7 win over then-No. 23 Coastal Carolina.
This season James Madison beat Virginia 36-35, won 16-14 at defending Sun Belt champion Troy and won 45-38 at Utah State last week. Against Troy, the Dukes recorded six sacks and held the Trojans to minus-12 rushing yards. Virginia managed 18 rushing yards. Utah State’s 98 rushing yards were the most James Madison has allowed during its seven-game winning streak.
Dukes Offense
James Madison averages 33.75 points, 408.3 total yards, 238.5 passing yards and 169.8 rushing yards per game. The Dukes have converted 17 of 54 third downs (31.5 percent) and 2 of 5 fourth downs, and they have scored on 17 of 21 red zone trips with 11 touchdowns. They average 30:30 in time of possession. James Madison has six turnovers and six takeaways this season.
Quarterback Jordan McCloud has completed 67 of 101 passes (66.3 percent) for 919 yards with eight touchdowns and two interceptions, and he has run for two touchdowns.
Reggie Brown leads the receivers with 15 catches for 354 yards and three touchdowns. Elijah Sarratt has 14 catches for 188 yards and a touchdown, Kaelon Black has 12 catches for 103 yards and a touchdown and Phoenix Sproles has 11 catches for 62 yards and two scores.
Black also leads the team with 304 rushing yards on 54 carries. Ty Son Lawton has 191 yards and three touchdowns on 32 carries, and Latrele Palmer has 102 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries.
The Dukes’ offensive line returned intact from last season, averaging about 30 career starts per player. However, redshirt senior right tackle Nick Kidwell, the College Football Network’s preseason Sun Belt Offensive Lineman of the Year, suffered a season-ending injury on the first play against Utah State. Junior Tyler Stephens, who started at left guard earlier this season, will move to right tackle.
Dukes Defense and Special Teams
James Madison allows 22.5 points, 356 total yards, 314.5 passing yards and 41.5 rushing yards per game. The Dukes lead the FBS in rushing defense and yards per carry allowed (1.39), are tied for the national lead with 10.2 tackles for loss per game and are tied for second with 4.5 sacks per game. They have 18 sacks for 133 yards and 41 tackles for loss. Opponents have converted 17 of 62 third downs (27.4 percent) and have scored on eight of 10 red zone trips.
Linebacker Aiden Fisher leads the team with 28 tackles, three pass breakups and an interception. Defensive lineman Jalen Green has 22 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and four sacks. Kikail Kamara has 19 tackles, a team-high 8.5 tackles for loss, three sacks and two forced fumbles. Jamree Kromah shares the team lead with four sacks and has 6.5 tackles for loss and a fumble recovery.
Kicker Camden Wise has made all six field goal attempts, with a long of 38 yards. Punter Ryan Hanson averages 40.4 yards per punt with a long of 59.
South Alabama Offense
South Alabama averages 28.8 points, 393.6 total yards, 214.3 passing yards and 179.3 rushing yards per game. The Jaguars have converted 27 of 52 third downs (51.9 percent) and 3 of 5 fourth downs, and they have scored on all 12 red zone trips with nine touchdowns. South Alabama is plus-1 in turnover margin.
Quarterback Carter Bradley has completed 69 of 99 passes (69.7 percent) for 854 yards with six touchdowns and three interceptions.
Caullin Lacy leads the receivers with 26 catches for 435 yards and five touchdowns, all covering 35 yards or more. He is the only receiver in the nation with five touchdown catches of 35 or more yards. Jamaal Pritchett has 14 catches for 161 yards, and tight end Lincoln Sefcik and running back Kentrel Bullock each have seven receptions.
La’Damian Webb leads the rushing attack with 340 yards and six touchdowns on 52 carries, averaging 6.5 yards per attempt, and has lost 3 yards all season. Bullock has 255 yards and a touchdown on 49 carries, and Marco Lee Jr. has 106 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries.
Jordan Davis started again on the offensive line in place of Josh McCulloch, who is recovering from a knee injury suffered in practice before the Oklahoma State game. McCulloch’s status for Saturday is unknown.
South Alabama Defense and Special Teams
South Alabama allows 23.8 points, 352.8 total yards, 247 passing yards and 105.8 rushing yards per game. Opponents have converted 22 of 50 third downs (44 percent) and have scored on 12 of 15 red zone trips, with eight touchdowns. Tulane completed touchdown passes of 47, 47 and 48 yards against the Jaguars in the season opener.
James Miller leads the team with 26 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and a fumble recovery. Jaden Voisin has 24 tackles and a forced fumble, Trey Kiser has 21 tackles and Wilfawn has 19 tackles, a sack and a team-high three tackles for loss. Brock Higdon leads the team with two sacks, and Yam Banks and Marquise Robinson each have an interception.
Kicker Diego Guajardo has made 4 of 5 field goals with a long of 42; his miss came from 52 yards against Tulane. Punter Jack Martin averages 41.9 yards per punt with a long of 53.
Injuries and Road Success
Braylon McReynolds, Devin Voisin and Keith Gallmon Jr. are out for the season, though McReynolds has not been ruled out for potential postseason play. South Alabama came out of the Central Michigan game without major injuries.
South Alabama is 10-4 in its last 14 games away from Hancock Whitney Stadium. Last season the Jaguars lost only one conference game, to Troy, which won the West Division on the head-to-head tiebreaker.
