South Alabama and Troy meet this week in the 2019 Battle for the Belt, a rivalry in which the road team has won every game since the schools introduced a championship-belt trophy.
The Jaguars (1-5, 0-2 Sun Belt) are seeking their first win of the season over a Football Bowl Subdivision opponent. Troy is 2-3. Both teams have had extra time to prepare for the nationally televised game, and Troy is listed as a 15-point favorite.
History of the Belt
South Alabama and Troy began playing annually while South Alabama was a transitional member of the FBS. In 2015, the two schools adopted the name “Battle for the Belt” and introduced a wrestling-style championship belt as the trophy exchanged between them.
Since then, neither school has successfully defended the belt, and the visiting team has won each meeting.
In 2017, South Alabama traveled to Troy with a 1-4 record and won on national television behind its defense and special teams. That Troy team defeated LSU and won 11 games.
Last season, Troy won 38-17 in Mobile after building a two-score lead early in the second quarter.
Both Teams Coming Off Losses
South Alabama’s most recent game was a double-overtime loss to Georgia Southern. Troy last played at Missouri, where it lost 42-10.
Troy quarterback Kaleb Barker was injured against Missouri and may not be available. South Alabama’s coaching staff expects Barker to play and is preparing for both possibilities.
Troy’s defense has allowed more than half as many points through five games this season as it allowed in 13 games last season.
Coaching Staff’s Troy Ties
South Alabama head coach Steve Campbell, defensive coordinator Greg Stewart and offensive coordinator Kenny Edenfield all have deep connections to Troy. The three were teammates on Troy’s 1987 NCAA Division II national championship team, and Stewart was also a member of the 1984 national championship team.
Edenfield has the most experience in the series. He spent 10 years as an assistant coach at Troy before joining Campbell’s staff at South Alabama in 2018.
Troy is in its first season under head coach Chip Lindsey. Under Lindsey, the Trojans have spread the field and thrown the ball more often than they did under previous head coach Neal Brown, whose offenses relied more heavily on run-pass options. Troy’s defense is largely similar to last season’s.
South Alabama Playmakers
Running back Tra Minter is the centerpiece of the South Alabama offense. He is the Jaguars’ primary ball carrier, has frequently been their leading receiver and returns both kickoffs and punts.
Kawaan Baker has been the offense’s next most consistent playmaker, contributing on jet sweeps and as a receiver.
Quarterback Cephus Johnson, who handles the ball more than any other Jaguar, has been an efficient runner in recent games. Against Georgia Southern, he threw touchdown passes of 75 yards to Baker and 60 yards to Jalen Tolbert.
Jaguar Defense
South Alabama’s defense turned in strong performances against Nebraska and Georgia Southern. Against the Eagles, the Jaguar defense was on the field for more than 40 minutes before Georgia Southern drove for the tying score that sent the game to overtime.
