MOBILE, Ala. — South Alabama hosts Louisiana-Monroe on Saturday at Hancock Whitney Stadium, seeking a second straight Sun Belt Conference win after opening league play with a victory over Texas State.
Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24. The game will stream on ESPN+ and air on Sports Talk 99.5 FM, 96.1 FM The Rocket and the iHeartRadio app.
Jaguars Snap Skid
The Jaguars (2-2, 1-0 Sun Belt) ended a two-game losing streak against Texas State after a 42-10 home loss to UAB. South Alabama went 23 days between those games after its annual rivalry game with Troy was postponed because of COVID-19.
South Alabama trailed Texas State (1-5, 1-2 Sun Belt) only once, early in the game, and led or was tied the rest of the way. The Jaguars broke a 20-20 tie midway through the fourth quarter on a touchdown pass to Kawaan Baker, and Diego Guajardo sealed the win with a 44-yard field goal with 1:09 remaining.
Running back Carlos Davis set a South Alabama single-game record with 32 carries, gaining 113 yards and scoring a touchdown. It was his second consecutive 100-yard rushing game. Offensive lineman Hadon Merchant, returning after missing several games with an injury, was flagged for a penalty early in the game that negated a touchdown; the Jaguars settled for a field goal on the drive.
South Alabama averages 403 yards of total offense, with 276.2 passing and 126.8 rushing, along with 24 points and 21.5 first downs per game. The Jaguar defense allows 415 yards per game, including 271 passing and 144 rushing, and 27.5 points per game.
Warhawks Look to Regroup
Louisiana-Monroe (0-5, 0-2 Sun Belt) returns to the field after a 40-7 loss at Liberty on Oct. 10, a game in which the Warhawks’ punt unit allowed three touchdowns. Liberty recovered a dropped snap in the end zone, blocked a punt for a touchdown and returned another punt for a score. A long punt return also set up another Liberty touchdown. In all, 27 points came as a result of punt plays. Georgia Southern blocked two Warhawk punts in the previous game.
True freshman Daniel Sparks has handled punting duties in place of injured Jared Porter, who could return Saturday. Head coach Matt Viator told the News-Star that he has devoted more practice time to punting than at any time in his career.
Before the loss at Liberty, the Warhawks played Georgia Southern closely in Louisiana. ULM also dealt with players missing games because of COVID-19 earlier in the season.
ULM Offense
Louisiana-Monroe relies on its passing game, averaging 236 passing yards and 56.2 rushing yards per game for 292.2 yards of total offense. The Warhawks average 13.4 points and 15 first downs per game. Quarterback Colby Suits leads the offense.
ULM Defense
The Warhawk defense allows 429.4 yards per game, including 262.2 rushing yards and 167.2 passing yards. Three defensive linemen who have missed the last three games with injuries could return Saturday.
Line
South Alabama is a 14.5-point favorite.
