MOBILE, Ala. — South Alabama returns home Saturday to face Sun Belt Conference opponent Western Kentucky at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in the first meeting between the schools. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m.
Both teams enter the game with 1-1 records.
Jaguars Coming Off Superdome Win
South Alabama lost its season opener to Southern Utah before rebounding with a victory over Tulane last week at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans.
Hilltoppers Fell at Tennessee
Western Kentucky opened its season with a win over Kentucky. The Hilltoppers then traveled to Knoxville, Tenn., where they took a 3-0 lead over Tennessee before the Volunteers scored 31 unanswered points on the way to a 52-20 victory.
Saturday’s game is expected to be the only meeting between the programs for the foreseeable future. Western Kentucky is scheduled to join Conference USA next summer.
Red Out and Rally Towels
Fans are asked to wear red to the game. The first 10,000 fans through the gates will receive red Jaguar rally towels. Stadium gates open at 4:30 p.m.
The Jaguar Prowl is scheduled for 4:20 p.m. on the south side of the stadium in front of the National Alumni tent. Players will walk from the east side of the stadium to the west player entrance at Gate 3W.
Parking and Shuttle Service
Parking at the stadium is limited and is not available to single-game ticket holders. Private parking lots operate near the stadium but are not controlled or managed by South Alabama or Ladd-Peebles Stadium.
The Wave transit system will run shuttles to the stadium from the south parking lot of Bel Air Mall, near Target and JCPenney, starting at 2:30 p.m. Service will continue until 90 minutes after the game ends. A round trip costs $2.50.
South Alabama is coached by Joey Jones.
Update
South Alabama completed its final full practice for Western Kentucky on Thursday morning, a two-hour session in which the defense prepared for a range of Hilltopper looks and the offense worked on its up-tempo attack. The Jaguars spent the week addressing ball security after turnovers early in the second half of their win over Tulane. A short walk-through is scheduled for Friday.
Head coach Joey Jones told AL.com the team was sharper Thursday than earlier in the week, when dropped passes were an issue, and that both sides of the ball were in tune with their assignments. The challenge, he said, is carrying that from the practice field into Saturday’s game.
Western Kentucky committed five turnovers in a span of six plays against Tennessee last weekend, leading to 24 Volunteer points in the first quarter of a 52-20 loss. Hilltoppers head coach Bobby Petrino said his team has emphasized ball security this week and that he has opened competition at several positions, with lineup changes planned for Saturday. Petrino said Western Kentucky needs to run the ball and make plays downfield, and to pressure dual-threat South Alabama quarterback Ross Metheny with a four-man rush.
South Alabama is a 9.5-point underdog. The game is the Sun Belt Conference opener for both teams.
Update
Western Kentucky brings a multiple offense that has averaged 27.5 points, 193.5 rushing yards and 246.5 passing yards per game for 440 total yards per game, against two Southeastern Conference opponents in Kentucky and Tennessee. Running back Antonio Andrews, listed at 6 feet and 220 pounds, leads a running game that attacks inside, off tackle and outside, and Petrino’s offenses are known for crossing routes and deep passes.
South Alabama head coach Joey Jones and defensive coordinator Kevin Sherrer have stressed getting the defense lined up correctly and playing aggressively, and getting to the quarterback when the Jaguars bring pressure.
Defensively, Western Kentucky lost its entire defensive line from 2012 but has size up front and at linebacker, where Xavius Boyd and Andrew Jackson lead the unit. Every member of the Hilltoppers’ secondary is an upperclassman. Kentucky and Tennessee both produced big running plays against Western Kentucky’s run defense.
South Alabama went 2-11 last season but played four Sun Belt opponents within 10 points.
