MOBILE, Ala. — South Alabama and Marshall each need one more win for bowl eligibility when they meet Saturday on Senior Day at Hancock Whitney Stadium.
South Alabama (5-5, 3-3 Sun Belt Conference) would become the first senior class in program history to earn back-to-back bowl berths with a win. Marshall is 5-5 overall and 2-4 in the Sun Belt.
Both Teams End Skids
South Alabama snapped a two-game losing streak last week against Arkansas State behind the return of quarterback Carter Bradley, who played the entire game. La’Damian Webb rushed for 163 yards, and the offensive line allowed two sacks. Strong north winds and mist affected the passing game.
Marshall ended a five-game losing streak last week with a 38-33 win over Georgia Southern in redshirt freshman quarterback Cole Pennington’s first career start. The Thundering Herd opened 4-0 with wins over Albany (21-17), East Carolina (31-13), Virginia Tech (24-17) and Old Dominion (41-35), then lost at NC State (48-41), at Georgia State (41-24), to James Madison (20-9), at Coastal Carolina (34-6) and at Appalachian State (31-9).
Marshall Under Charles Huff
Charles Huff is in his third season as Marshall’s head coach after two years as an assistant at Alabama. He went 7-6 in his first season, when Marshall was in Conference USA, losing to Louisiana in the New Orleans Bowl. Last season, the Herd’s first in the Sun Belt, Marshall went 9-4 (5-3), won 26-21 at then-No. 8 Notre Dame and beat UConn 28-14 in the Myrtle Beach Bowl.
Marshall is minus-11 in turnover margin. The Herd has thrown 14 interceptions and lost nine of 18 fumbles, while its defense has 10 interceptions and two fumble recoveries. Marshall averages 2.3 turnovers per game and committed 14 during its losing streak.
Cam Fancher has completed 186 of 287 passes (64.8 percent) for 1,948 yards, eight touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Pennington is 27-of-43 for 278 yards with three interceptions in two appearances. Five receivers have at least 20 catches and 10 have more than 100 yards. Caleb Coombs leads with 33 catches for 287 yards and two touchdowns, DeMarcus Harris has 362 yards and a touchdown on 21 catches, Jaden Harrison has 238 yards and a touchdown, and Darryle Simmons has 226 yards.
Rasheen Ali leads the Herd with 932 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns on 173 carries in nine games, tied for seventh nationally in rushing touchdowns. Ethan Payne has 183 yards, and Fancher has 173 yards and two touchdowns.
On defense, JJ Roberts leads with 73 tackles and two interceptions, and Eli Neal has 64 tackles and 6.5 tackles for loss. Owen Porter and Sam Burton share the team lead with five sacks, and Elijah Alston has 9.5 tackles for loss, four sacks and an 85-yard interception return for a touchdown. Kicker Rece Verhoff is 10-of-13 with a long of 44, and punter John McConnell averages 43 yards with a long of 74. Marshall ranks 94th nationally in rushing defense.
South Alabama by the Numbers
South Alabama is minus-2 in turnover margin, with nine interceptions and seven lost fumbles against seven interceptions and seven fumble recoveries by its defense.
Bradley has completed 186 of 279 passes (66.7 percent) for 2,301 yards, 15 touchdowns and seven interceptions in nine games. Gio Lopez, with one start in four appearances, is 27-of-42 for 283 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. Caullin Lacy leads with 71 catches for 1,096 yards and six touchdowns, fourth nationally in receiving yards. Jamaal Pritchett has 44 catches for 650 yards and five touchdowns, and DJ Thomas-Jones has 15 catches for 156 yards.
Webb has 890 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns on 162 carries, tied for second nationally in rushing touchdowns. Kentrel Bullock, who missed last week while in concussion protocol, has 380 yards and three touchdowns, and Marco Lee Jr. has 186 yards and two touchdowns. Braylon McReynolds returned last week for the first time since breaking his collarbone in the season opener at Tulane and gained 10 yards on his first touch; coaches said his workload could increase significantly.
Quentin Wilfawn leads the defense with 71 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. James Miller has 61 tackles and Trey Kiser 60 with 8.5 tackles for loss. Jamie Sheriff has six tackles for loss, three sacks and a team-high seven quarterback hurries. Jaden Voisin leads with three interceptions, and Ricky Fletcher leads with 11 pass breakups. Diego Guajardo is 10-of-14 on field goals with a long of 46, and Jack Martin averages 39.06 yards per punt.
Tight end Lincoln Sefcik will miss the rest of the season for violating team rules. He has 17 catches for 165 yards and a touchdown.
Seniors to Be Honored
South Alabama will recognize Jamie Sheriff, Jamall Hickbottom, Maurice Strong Jr., Carter Bradley, Desmond Trotter, Tanner McGee, La’Damian Webb, Marco Lee Jr., Reggie Smith, Josh McCulloch, Brandon Crum, Jacob Hopper, Lincoln Sefcik, Ke’Shun Brown, Trey Kiser, James Miller, Quentin Wilfawn, Keith Gallmon, Jalen Jordan, Jacob Meeks and Diego Guajardo before the game.
South Alabama is a 10.5-point favorite.
