MOBILE, Ala. — South Alabama will defend the rivalry belt Saturday when Troy visits Ladd-Peebles Stadium for the 2018 Battle for the Belt.
The Jaguars (2-5, 1-2 Sun Belt) enter the game coming off a 45-7 win over Alabama State. Troy (5-2, 3-0 Sun Belt) arrives after a 22-16 loss at Liberty, a program in its transition to the Football Bowl Subdivision.
The series between the in-state rivals is tied 3-3, and each team is 1-2 at home in the series. South Alabama won last season’s meeting, a Wednesday night game on national television, holding Troy to 30 rushing yards and forcing four Trojan turnovers.
Division Implications
South Alabama controls its own path in the Sun Belt’s West Division and would move into a tie for first place in the division with a win over Troy. The winner of each division will advance to the inaugural Sun Belt Conference championship game this season.
Troy is trying to keep pace in the East Division with Appalachian State and Georgia Southern, both of which are unbeaten in conference play.
South Alabama enters the game as an 11-point underdog.
Troy Ties Throughout Jaguars Staff
First-year South Alabama head coach Steve Campbell is a Troy graduate, as are both of his coordinators, offensive coordinator Kenny Edenfield and defensive coordinator Greg Stewart. All three won Division II national championships during their time at Troy. Edenfield joined the Jaguars after 10 years on the Troy staff, the last eight as offensive coordinator.
Troy is coached by Neal Brown. Under Brown, the Trojans are 22-1 when they win the turnover battle and 5-22 when they lose it.
South Alabama Offense
The Jaguars will look to establish the run to support quarterback Evan Orth and the passing game. Tra Minter leads the team in rushing with 263 yards and five touchdowns on 84 carries. Kawaan Baker is second with 179 rushing yards and leads the team with six rushing touchdowns.
Baker and Jamarius Way have been the top targets in the passing game, with Jordan McCray and Jahmmir Taylor developing into additional options. Receiver Malik Stanley has returned to the lineup.
Ball security has been an issue. South Alabama has fumbled 14 times this season, losing nine, and has thrown six interceptions.
South Alabama Defense
The Jaguars defense has given up a number of big plays and has struggled against the run this season. Nigel Lawrence, who led the team in tackles before being injured two games ago, is expected to return against Troy.
Penalties have also been a problem. South Alabama has been flagged 68 times this season and is averaging 92.7 penalty yards per game. Troy has committed 52 penalties for an average of 58.7 yards per game.
Scouting the Trojans
Troy will start quarterback Sawyer Smith for just the second time. Smith took over after starter Kaleb Barker suffered a season-ending knee injury.
The Trojans have a balanced offense, averaging 207.7 rushing yards and 205.9 passing yards per game. Running back B.J. Smith leads Troy with 587 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on 94 carries, an average of 6.2 yards per carry.
Receivers Deondre Douglas and Damion Willis each have five touchdown catches. Douglas leads the team with 34 receptions for 348 yards, and Willis has 25 catches for 373 yards. Three other Troy receivers have more than 100 receiving yards this season, combining for five touchdowns.
Troy has been strongest early in games. The Trojans have outscored opponents 80-21 in the first quarter and 154-87 in the first half, but have been outscored 85-82 after halftime. In South Alabama’s only conference win this season, the Jaguars trailed at halftime before scoring 18 fourth-quarter points.
By the Numbers
- 3: Wins by each team in the series
- 1-2: Each team’s home record in the series
- 30: Rushing yards South Alabama allowed Troy in last season’s meeting
- 4: Troy turnovers forced by South Alabama last season
- 68: Penalties committed by South Alabama this season
- 92.7: South Alabama’s penalty yards per game
- 52: Penalties committed by Troy this season
- 58.7: Troy’s penalty yards per game
