MOBILE, Ala. — South Alabama will play its first Sun Belt Conference football game Saturday when the Jaguars host in-state rival Troy at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.
The Jaguars (1-3, 0-0 Sun Belt) have lost their last two games, against NC State and Mississippi State. Troy enters at 2-2 overall and 1-1 in conference play.
Troy’s Passing Attack
Troy quarterback Corey Robinson leads the Sun Belt in passing at 321.5 yards per game, a figure higher than South Alabama’s average of 312 yards of total offense per game.
The Trojans have three of the conference’s top 10 receivers in receptions. Chip Reeves ranks second in the league in receiving yards at 90.2 per game.
Jaguars Secondary
South Alabama’s pass defense has allowed several long scoring plays this season. UTSA threw touchdown passes of 58 yards on a center screen, 23 yards and 34 yards against the Jaguars, and NC State quarterback Mike Glennon threw scoring passes of 33 and 44 yards.
The secondary has also produced four interceptions. Tyrell Pearson has two, while Terrel Brigham and Bryson James have one each.
Free safety B.J. Scott is third on the team with 20 tackles and has added two quarterback hurries, a pass breakup and a tackle for loss. Brigham ranks fourth on the team in tackles, Pearson is fifth and Darrius Morrow is eighth.
South Alabama ranks near the top of the conference in rushing defense.
Troy Defense
Troy is allowing 25.8 points per game, fifth in the Sun Belt, and ranks seventh in the conference in total defense at 431.8 yards allowed per game. The Trojans are fifth in pass defense at 244 yards per game and eighth in rushing defense at 187.8 yards per game.
Quarterback Rotation
South Alabama has rotated two quarterbacks through its first four games. Head coach Joey Jones has declined to say who will start against Troy or whether the rotation will continue.
Turnovers a Concern for Both Teams
South Alabama ranks last in the Sun Belt in turnover margin at minus-7. The Jaguars have lost seven fumbles and thrown five interceptions while recovering one fumble and intercepting four passes.
Troy ranks ninth in the conference at minus-6, having lost six fumbles and thrown four interceptions while recovering three fumbles and making one interception.
Opponents have converted South Alabama’s turnovers into points. In the Jaguars’ 33-31 loss to UTSA, all four South Alabama turnovers led to Roadrunner scores.
Update: Gameday Information
South Alabama will wear its red jerseys, and fans are encouraged to wear red. Kickoff is at 2:30 p.m., and gates open at 12:30 p.m. Reserved sideline tickets are $15 and general admission end zone seats are $10. Students are admitted free with a student ID.
- Parking: Stadium parking is limited to season ticket holders with passes. Private lots near the stadium are not managed by USA or the stadium.
- Shuttle: The Wave, in partnership with the City of Mobile, runs a $2.50 round-trip shuttle from the Bel Air Mall lot south of Target and JC Penney, starting at 10:30 a.m. and running until 90 minutes after the game. Riders are encouraged to board before 1:30 p.m.
- Jaguar Prowl: Coaches, players, the marching band, cheerleaders and mascot SouthPaw begin their walk 2 hours, 20 minutes before kickoff at the southeast corner of the stadium, in front of the Alumni Tent, and enter through Gate 3W. Fans are asked to line the route by 12:10 p.m.
- Kids zone: The free Trax Tires “Jaguar Jungle,” with remote-controlled monster trucks and football tosses, opens four hours before kickoff near Jag City, along with the National Guard’s STEM trailer and 3D simulators.
