Sun Belt Conference statistics ahead of South Alabama vs. Texas State show a matchup between one of the league’s most productive passing offenses and its top-ranked scoring defense.
Standings
Louisiana-Lafayette moved into first place in the Sun Belt with a 23-7 win over Arkansas State on Tuesday night. The Ragin’ Cajuns are 5-2 overall and 3-0 in league play. South Alabama is tied with Arkansas State and Louisiana-Monroe at 1-1 in conference play.
Offense
- Scoring: Louisiana-Lafayette leads at 35.5 points per game, followed by Troy at 34.4 and South Alabama at 31.3. Texas State is sixth at 23.0.
- Total offense: Troy leads at 486.9 yards per game. South Alabama is fourth at 452.8, and Texas State is last at 314.9.
- Rushing: Louisiana-Lafayette leads. Texas State is fourth at 186.3 yards per game, and South Alabama is fifth at 175.0.
- Passing: Troy leads at 327.7 yards per game, and South Alabama is second at 277.8. Texas State, which runs an option offense, is last at 128.6.
- Pass efficiency: Troy leads with a 157.2 rating. South Alabama is fifth at 132.9, and Texas State is seventh at 100.1.
- Third down: South Alabama is fifth at 41.9 percent; Texas State is last at 32.3 percent.
- Fourth down: Texas State is fourth at 37.5 percent; South Alabama is sixth at 27.3 percent.
- Sacks allowed: Texas State leads the league with nine allowed. South Alabama is tied with Troy, Louisiana-Monroe, Western Kentucky and Louisiana-Lafayette at 12.
Defense
- Scoring defense: Texas State leads, allowing 22.6 points per game. South Alabama is fourth at 28.5.
- Total defense: Western Kentucky leads at 350 yards allowed per game. Texas State is third at 381, and South Alabama is fourth at 410.
- Rushing defense: Texas State leads, allowing 100.3 yards per game. South Alabama is fourth at 163.0.
- Pass defense: Western Kentucky leads at 170.1 yards allowed per game. South Alabama is sixth at 247.0.
- Pass efficiency defense: Texas State leads at 115.3. South Alabama is sixth at 134.1.
- Interceptions: Texas State and Louisiana-Lafayette are tied for first with nine in seven games. South Alabama is third with seven in six games.
- Sacks: South Alabama and Troy are tied for first with 15. Texas State is third with 13.
- Third-down defense: Texas State is second, allowing 36.2 percent. South Alabama is sixth at 40 percent.
Special Teams
- Kickoff returns: South Alabama is second at 25.9 yards per return; Texas State is third at 25.7.
- Punt returns: Texas State leads at 12.5 yards per return; South Alabama is sixth at 5.9.
- Net punting: Texas State is second at 40.1 yards; South Alabama is fifth at 35.3.
- Field goals: South Alabama’s Aleem Sunanon is 7 of 12 (.583), fifth in the league. Texas State is seventh at 4 of 9 (.444).
Other Categories
- Penalties: South Alabama is fifth at 56.3 yards per game; Texas State is seventh at 67.3.
- Time of possession: Texas State leads at 32:50 per game; South Alabama is fifth at 30:08.
- Turnover margin: Texas State is second at plus-5; South Alabama is fourth at plus-1.
