USA Vs Lousiana-Monroe: By The Numbers
The University of South Alabama Jaguar football team (3-6 overall, 1-3 SBC) will kickoff against conference foe Louisiana-Monroe (5-5 overall, 3-2 SBC) at Ladd-Peebles Stadium on Saturday at 6:00pm. They are coming off of a 42-14 loss at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland and are in the midst of a three-game losing streak. Navy rushed for 351 yards against the Jaguars in the triple-option offense.
ULM is also returning to action after a 42-14 loss of their own to Arkansas State which snapped their three-game winning streak.
Lets take a look at how the two teams stack up in terms of Sun Belt statistics. It should be noted that the Jags have played nine games this season while the rest of the conference have played 10 games, excluding Troy who has played 11 games so far this season.
The scoring offense category sees the Jags ranked fifth in the conference with an average of 27.7 points per game while the Warhawks are ranked seventh with an average of 22.2 points per game this season.
In scoring defense, South Alabama ranks 5th by allowing an average of 29.2 points per game while ULM is right behind them with an average of 29.8 points per game allowed to their opponents.
Total Offense again have the Jags and Warhawks ranked back to back. South Alabama has the edge in 5th place with an average of 421.9 yards per game of total offense. ULM ranks 6th with an average of 365.6 yards per game of total offense. That’s a difference of over 50 yards per game between the two.
Breaking down the total offensive yards, the Jags rank 5th in the conference by gaining an average of 158 yards on the ground per game. ULM ranks 7th with an average of 128.1 yards per game rushing. Meanwhile the Jags rank 3rd in the conference in passing offense with an average of 263.9 yards passing per game. ULM ranks 5th with an average of 237.5 yards per game passing.
The Jags rank 5th in the conference in passing efficiency with a rating of 129.7 while ULM ranks last in the conference, 8th, with a rating of 110.7.
Looking to the other side of the ball we see USA and ULM ranked back-to-back again. The Jags rank 5th in the conference in total defense by allowing an average of 420 yards per game. ULM comes in right behind them in 6th place by allowing 422.7 yards per game of total offense.
Breaking down the total offense stat, we see ULM ranking 6th in the conference in rushing defense allowing an average of 188.7 yards per game on the ground. The Jags rank right behind them in 7th place by allowing an average of 194.7 yards per game on the ground.
Pass defense sees South Alabama fare a bit better as they rank 2nd in the conference in pass defense by allowing an average of 225.3 yards per game through the air. The Warhawks rank 4th in the conference allowing an average of 234 yards per game through the air.
Pass defense efficiency sees ULM rank 2nd in the conference with opponents pass efficency rating being 122.3. USA ranks 5th in the conference with opponents pass efficency rating of 137.1.
Now we turn to special teams. The Jags rank 3rd in the conference in kickoff returns with an average of 22.2 yards per return. ULM ranks 5th with an average of 20.5 yards per kickoff return. Though the Jags fare worse in punt return average where they are dead last in the conference with an average of 6.1 yards per punt return. ULM ranks 4th with an average punt return of 9.7 yards.
South Alabama average 35.4 yards per punt which is good for 6th place in the conference. ULM ranks 2nd in the conference with an average of 39.0 yards per punt.
South Alabama ranks 4th in the conference in field goals by making 68.8% of their kicks. USA is 11-for-16 on the season through nine games. ULM ranks last in the conference by making 50% of their field goal attempts. They are 4-of-8 on the season through eight games.
ULM is tied for 3rd place in defensive interceptions this season with nine. The Jags are in a tie for 5th place with 8 interceptions through nine games.
The Jags are 2nd in the conference in defensive sacks with 22 through nine games. ULM ranks 7th in the conference with only 13 sacks through 10 games.
While the Jaguar offense has given up the fewest sacks on the season with 14 through 9 games. ULM ranks 3rd by allowing 16 sacks through 10 games.
South Alabama and ULM are neck-and-neck in 3rd down conversion rates. USA converts 37.5% of their 3rd down opportunities while the Warhawks convert 37.2% of their 3rd down opportunities.
Defensively, ULM ranks 1st in the conference in opponents 3rd down conversion rate by allowing their opponents to convert only 35.8% of their attempts. The Jags rank 4th by allowing opponents to convert 41.3% of the time.
The Warhawks ranks 1st in the conference in penalties with an average of 40.4 yards per game of penalties. The Jags rank 3rd with 45.9 yards per game of penalties. Though the two are tied with 51 penalties each.
Lousiana-Monroe and the Jaguars are again back-to-back this time in time of possession. ULM averages 29:17 per game which is good for 6th place in the conference. The Jags are 7th place with an average time of possession of 28:55 per game.
Turnover margin is in South Alabama’s favor as they are even on the season, 11 gained and 11 lost. Meanwhile ULM ranks 6th with a -8 turnover margin. They have gained 15 from opponents while losing 23 balls, 14 of them interceptions.
USA ranks 6th in the conference in red zone offense by converting 28-37 opportunities into points for an average of 75.7%. ULM ranks last, 8th place, in the conference by scoring on 21-of=34 times in the red zone for an average of 61.8%.
Red zone defense is polar opposites for the two teams. ULM ranks 1st in the conference by allowing opponents to score 26-of-35 times in the red zone for an average of 74.3%. South Alabama ranks 8th, dead last, in the conference by allowing opponents to score 32-of-37 times in the red zone for an average of 86.5%.
Wes Saxton may be able to suit up for the game after a sprained ankle suffered against Navy.
The game will be televised on ESPN3 and the Sun Belt Network. Audio play-by-play will also be available from wnsp on 105.5FM and from their website www.wnsp.com