MOBILE, Ala. — The South Alabama Troy ESPNU matchup will be played on Friday, Oct. 24, at Ladd-Peebles Stadium, after the Sun Belt Conference announced a change to its football television schedule Tuesday. The conference game between the in-state rivals will be broadcast nationally.
National Exposure
The Jaguars’ only previous nationally televised game was last season’s game against Navy, which aired on CBS Sports Network. Several South Alabama games have been carried regionally on the SEC Network and CSS.
“The opportunity to play, especially a home game, against an in-state rival on a national stage is priceless,” South Alabama director of athletics Joel Erdmann said. “In 2013 we received an extraordinary amount of exposure and feedback concerning playing on the SEC Network against Tennessee. Playing on the ESPN family of networks will increase that.”
“Having the ability to experience that exposure not only helps the football program, but every other sports program that we have and provides exposure of the University of South Alabama and the City of Mobile,” Erdmann said.
Two Friday Night Home Games
The Troy game is one of two Friday night home games on South Alabama’s 2014 schedule, both at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. The Jaguars close the regular season against Navy on Friday, Nov. 28. A kickoff time for that game has not been set, and it may be available on ESPN3.
Coming Off Bowl-Eligible Season
In 2013, its first season as a full Football Bowl Subdivision member eligible for a bowl game and the conference championship, South Alabama went 6-6 overall and 4-3 in the Sun Belt. The Jaguars finished third in the conference and became bowl eligible with a 30-8 win over co-champion Louisiana-Lafayette, but were not selected for a bowl game.
South Alabama is coached by Joey Jones.
