MOBILE, Ala. — South Alabama will try to become bowl eligible in its first season as a full Football Bowl Subdivision member when it hosts Sun Belt Conference leader Louisiana-Lafayette on Saturday at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.
The regular-season finale carries stakes for both teams. The Jaguars need a win to reach bowl eligibility, while the Ragin’ Cajuns are playing to win the Sun Belt championship outright.
Bowl Picture Uncertain
Even with a victory, South Alabama is not assured of a bowl invitation. A bid remains possible, but only if the Jaguars win Saturday.
South Alabama entered the season with two stated goals: become bowl eligible and win a conference championship. The conference title is no longer within reach, but a win over the league leader would accomplish the first goal.
Jaguars Riding Two-Game Win Streak
South Alabama comes into the finale after wins in each of its last two games, over Georgia State and Louisiana-Monroe. Louisiana-Monroe defeated Louisiana-Lafayette last weekend.
The game will also serve as the final home appearance for South Alabama’s senior class, the group that helped build the program since it began play in 2009 under head coach Joey Jones.
Attendance Push
Fans have been urged on social media, under the hashtag #PackLadd, to fill the stadium for the finale.
Ladd-Peebles Stadium seats 33,471 for South Alabama football. The Jaguars are averaging 15,886 fans for home games this season, less than half of capacity. Louisiana-Lafayette is averaging 25,976 fans per home game.
Update: Louisiana-Lafayette Matchup by the Numbers
South Alabama enters the finale 5-6 overall and 3-3 in the Sun Belt. Louisiana-Lafayette is 8-3 and 5-1 and has clinched at least a share of the conference title; a Ragin’ Cajuns loss would allow Arkansas State, headed to the GoDaddy Bowl in Mobile, to claim a share. Louisiana-Lafayette has accepted a bid to face Tulane in the New Orleans Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 21, at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
Last season Louisiana-Lafayette beat South Alabama 52-30 in Lafayette, the most points ever scored against the Jaguars. Ragin’ Cajuns starting quarterback Terrance Broadway will miss Saturday’s game with a broken arm. Running back Alonzo Harris has 808 rushing yards, 13 touchdowns and a 4.7-yard average.
Four of South Alabama’s losses have been by two points or fewer. Against Louisiana-Monroe, the Jaguars set a program record with nine sacks, and quarterback Ross Metheny surpassed 100 yards both passing and rushing, including a 63-yard fourth-quarter touchdown run. Against Georgia State, Shavarez Smith set a school record with 10 catches for 194 yards and a touchdown, the top receiving game in the Sun Belt this season, while the defense held the Panthers to 24 rushing yards on 25 carries. Jereme Jones has caught a pass in 38 consecutive games.
Season Statistics
- Scoring offense: Louisiana-Lafayette 37.0 points per game; South Alabama 29.4.
- Total offense: Louisiana-Lafayette 443.7 yards per game; South Alabama 431.2.
- Rushing offense: Louisiana-Lafayette 220.2; South Alabama 171.0.
- Passing offense: South Alabama 260.2; Louisiana-Lafayette 223.5.
- Pass efficiency: Louisiana-Lafayette 156.5; South Alabama 133.3.
- Third-down conversions: Louisiana-Lafayette 54.5 percent; South Alabama 41.1.
- Red zone offense: Louisiana-Lafayette 42 of 49 (35 touchdowns); South Alabama 35 of 44 (27 touchdowns).
- Scoring defense: Louisiana-Lafayette 26.6 points allowed; South Alabama 26.7.
- Total defense: Louisiana-Lafayette 396.8 yards allowed; South Alabama 399.9.
- Rushing defense: Louisiana-Lafayette 151.4; South Alabama 167.9.
- Pass defense: South Alabama 232.0; Louisiana-Lafayette 245.5.
- Sacks: South Alabama 35 for 229 yards; Louisiana-Lafayette 18 for 100 yards.
- Sacks allowed: South Alabama 16; Louisiana-Lafayette 18.
- Interceptions: Louisiana-Lafayette 11, two returned for touchdowns; South Alabama 9.
- Turnover margin: Louisiana-Lafayette plus-4; South Alabama plus-1.
- Field goals: South Alabama 15 of 20; Louisiana-Lafayette 8 of 13.
- Kickoff returns: South Alabama 22.7 yards; Louisiana-Lafayette 21.2.
- Punt returns: Louisiana-Lafayette 9.6 yards; South Alabama 6.1.
- Net punting: South Alabama 35.8 yards; Louisiana-Lafayette 34.0.
- Penalties: South Alabama 59, averaging 44.8 yards per game; Louisiana-Lafayette 55, averaging 46.6.
The game will be streamed on ESPN3 and broadcast on 105.5 FM WNSP and WNSP.com, with Lee Shirvanian and Rick Cleveland on the call.
Update: Students Admitted Free
South Alabama students are admitted free to Saturday’s game, and the university is encouraging students to fill the student section at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.
The Jaguars’ season has included a win over Tulane in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome and a seven-point loss at Tennessee in which South Alabama had a chance to tie or take the lead in the final two minutes.
A win over Louisiana-Lafayette would give South Alabama a .500 record overall and make the Jaguars bowl eligible in their first season as a full FBS member, though bowl eligibility does not guarantee an invitation.
