South Alabama Looks For First Win In Jonesboro Against Arkansas State
The Jaguars (2-6, 1-3 SBC) travel to Jonesboro, Arkansas looking for the programs first win there against the Arkansas State Redwolves (4-4, 1-3 SBC).
Flash back to last year when the Jags upset the Redwolves in Mobile 24-19 and looked like they had turned the corner after a very rough beginning to the season and was making a run towards bowl eligibility.
Snapping back to this season the Jags under first year head coach Steve Campbell and the Jags have had a rough go of it. Particularly on the road where they are winless, and quite frankly have only been competitive in one game (Memphis) where the Jags were tied at 21 at halftime and was within four points going into the fourth quarter but ended up losing 52-35. USA has lost by an average score of 52-17 on the road, allowing no fewer than 48 points per road game and 522.7 yards of offense.
It’s been terrible.
Yes, one of those away games was Oklahoma State. But two of those losses came against Appalachian State and Georgia Southern. In each road game other than Memphis, the Jags trailed by double digits at halftime, including a 42-7 shocker at Appalachian State.
Despite all of this, USA still controls their destiny in the Sun Belt Conference Western Division with an opportunity to earn a spot in the inaugural SBC Championship.
Today is a key towards earning that spot.
The Redwolves come into the game battered and bruised. They have had several players miss practice this week. They’ve had five offensive skill position players among them.
But quarterback Justice Hansen continues playing as one of the best at his position in conference history. He leads the team in rushing yards and continues to be a proficient passer.
The Jags were able to get some extra rest since they played on a Tuesday night against Troy. SO instead of a normal bye week, the Jags had two “long” weeks between games. Maybe they wished they had a full bye week after the physical game they had against Troy, which they lost 23-7. Starting quarterback Evan Orth took a pounding, leaving the game late with a concussion. He finally passed through concussion protocol and returned to practice on Wednesday after sitting out much of the time since the October 23rd game.
South Alabama has a couple things they need to do in order to win this game, and they are very similar to what they needed to do against Troy. They simply have to win the turnover battle. The offense has to convert more 3rd down attempts to sustain drives and rest the defense. The defense has to show up, they have been bad all year but terrible on the road. The defense has given up big plays, both running and passing. They clamped down against Troy in the second half but they can’t go into halftime down double-digits.
Coach Campbell and his staff just cannot gamble on making a big play to give themselves momentum. The “surprise” onside kicks and the hail-mary throw with just :03 left until halftime against Troy keeps giving the momentum that the Jags were building up right back to the other team. Let the guys keep fighting, they will turn the tide, just don’t pull the run out from under then. Don’t be your own worst enemy.
South Alabama and Arkansas State kicks off this afternoon at 2pm in Jonesboro, Arkansas. The game can be heard on the Jaguar Radio Network and iHeartRadio. Video will be streamed on ESPN+ (seven day free with signup then recurring monthly fee).
Inside the Numbers: