MOBILE, Ala. — South Alabama hosts Kent State on Saturday in its homecoming game, with kickoff set for 2 p.m. at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. A look at the season statistics shows a South Alabama offense that has outproduced the Golden Flashes’ attack and a Kent State defense that has allowed more than 466 yards per game.
Kent State, a member of the Mid-American Conference, is 2-5 overall and 1-3 in MAC play in its first season under head coach Paul Haynes.
Offense
South Alabama averages 30 points and 447.2 yards of total offense per game, with 158.6 yards per game rushing and 288.6 passing. The Jaguars have scored 12 rushing touchdowns and six passing touchdowns and average 22.2 first downs per game.
Kent State averages 18.9 points and 336 yards per game. The Golden Flashes run for 152.1 yards per game, with five rushing touchdowns, and pass for 183.9 yards per game, with 10 touchdowns through the air. They average 17.8 first downs per game.
Efficiency
South Alabama converts 40 percent of its third-down attempts and 33 percent on fourth down. The Jaguars have scored on 15 of 21 red-zone trips, 12 of them touchdowns, and have been penalized 37 times for 294 yards.
Kent State converts 40.6 percent on third down and 50 percent on fourth down, and has scored on 13 of 17 red-zone trips, with nine touchdowns. The Golden Flashes have fumbled 12 times, losing five, and have been penalized 42 times for 347 yards. Kent State quarterbacks have been sacked nine times for 53 yards in losses.
Defense
South Alabama allows 30 points and 406.4 yards per game, giving up 146.2 rushing yards and 260.2 passing yards per game. Opponents have scored five rushing touchdowns and 13 passing touchdowns against the Jaguars. Opponents have converted 42 percent of third downs and 50 percent of fourth downs, and have scored on 20 of 23 red-zone trips, with 14 touchdowns.
Kent State allows 29.9 points, 466.1 yards and 23.1 first downs per game. Opponents average 224.1 rushing yards, with 13 rushing touchdowns, and 242.0 passing yards, with 14 passing touchdowns. Kent State opponents convert 45.5 percent of third downs and 42.9 percent of fourth downs, and have scored on 28 of 34 red-zone trips, with 22 touchdowns.
Kent State Players to Watch
Trayion Durham leads the Golden Flashes with 493 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Quarterback Colin Reardon is second on the team with 222 rushing yards and a touchdown.
Reardon has completed 120 of 202 passes, 59.4 percent, for 1,199 yards with 10 touchdowns and four interceptions. His top target is Chris Humphrey, who has 36 catches for 433 yards and three touchdowns. Tyshon Goode has 23 receptions for 231 yards and a touchdown.
Special Teams and Possession
Kent State averages 44 yards per punt and has made 6 of 11 field goal attempts.
The Golden Flashes average 31:17 in time of possession per game. South Alabama averages 29:13.
