South Alabama at Georgia Southern: Game Preview

October 6th, 2018 – South Alabama at Georgia Southern

Game Time: 3:30 pm ET

Location: Paulson Stadium (Statesboro, Ga)

Line: Georgia Southern -13.5

ESPN FPI: Georgia Southern 87.4%

TV: ESPN3

Live Stream: WatchESPN

Radio: ESPN Radio Coastal Georgia 103.7/790 and ESPN Radio Okefenokee 98.5/1350

 

South Alabama: (1-4, 1-1)

Georgia Southern: (3-1, 1-0)

Series History: Georgia Southern is (4-0) all-time against South Alabama. The teams first met in 2014, Southern’s first year in the Sun Belt, and have met every year since. The Eagles routed the Jaguars 52-0 last season, in Paulson.

 

Offense:

South Alabama:

Passing: 215.6 ypg, 7 touchdowns

Rushing: 120.2 ypg, 9 touchdowns

3.4 yards per play

 

Georgia Southern:

Passing: 76.0 ypg, 3 touchdowns

Rushing: 270.3 ypg, 11 touchdowns

5.3 yards per play

 

 

Defense:

South Alabama:

Pass yards against: 267.4 ypg, 11 touchdowns

Rush yards against: 234.4 ypg, 17 touchdowns

5.0 yards per play

 

 

Georgia Southern:

Pass yards against: 227.25 ypg, 2 touchdown

Rush yards against: 163.3 ypg, 7 touchdowns

4.4 yards per play

 

Leaders:

 

South Alabama:

Passing: Evan Orth – 86-129, 1014 yards, 6 touchdowns, 2 int

Rushing: Tra Minter – 183 yards, 3 touchdowns, 2.9 ypa

Receiving: Jamarius Way – 35 receptions, 500 yards, 14.3 ypc, 2 touchdowns

Tackles: Nigel Lawrence – 48 TOT

 

 

Georgia Southern:

Passing: Shai Werts – 14-27, 264 yards, 3 touchdowns, 0 int

Rushing: Shai Werts – 264 yards, 6 touchdowns, 4.9 ypa

Receiving: Wesley Kennedy III – 5 receptions, 140 yards, 28.00 ypc, 0 touchdowns

Tackles: Monquavion Brinson – 29 TOT, 5 Pass Break Ups

Players to watch:

 

South Alabama

Offense – Jamarius Way – The 6’4 220lb Senior is lighting it up at receiver this season. Now in his second season with the Jaguars, Way is 11th in the nation in receiving yards at 500. The Bell Glade, Florida product is getting serious looks from NFL teams for obvious reasons. Georgia Southern gave up 376 yards in the air last week to Arkansas State, but only allowed 1 passing score. If South Alabama is going to have a chance, he’ll have to find his ‘Way’ into the endzone. (I’m so sorry)

Defense – Tyree Tuner – Another player starting to make a name for himself, Turner is a stud on the defensive line. At 6’1 290lbs, the junior has a nice combination of power and speed. Currently, Turner leads the team with 5 tackles for a loss. I’m sure the Stockbridge, Ga product is looking forward to playing in his home state. He’ll have to be big against Georgia Southern’s option offense.

Georgia Southern

Offense – Wesley Kennedy III – Coming off a game winning run that will live in Georgia Southern history, Kennedy should see his workload begin to increase. At 14.2 yards per touch, the Savannah native has certainly made his case for getting the ball more. Against a defense that struggles in space, expect Coach Lunsford to find creative ways to get Kennedy the ball.

Defense –  Monquavion Brinson – As good as Jamarius Way has been for South Alabama, Brinson may be performing even better. Coming off of a 5 interception campaign his sophomore season, Brinson has yet to pick off a pass this year. It may sound crazy, but that shows how good he is. Quarterbacks are avoiding throwing to his side of the field, hence the lack of chances for interceptions. When they have thrown at him, they haven’t had much success. Brinson leads the team in pass break ups and total tackles, with 29. The best wide receiver/defensive back match up could very well be in Statesboro this weekend.

 

South Alabama wins if: Jamarius Way and Kawaan Baker have a huge day. South Alabama’s two biggest threats, Way and Baker must get into the endzone against Georgia Southern’s bend-but-don’t-break defense.

 

Georgia Southern wins if: They avoid the letdown. Last Saturday’s win over Arkansas State was an emotional rollercoaster that had everyone on the edge of their seats. Georgia Southern cannot come out flat in this one, South Alabama can put up points. If the Eagles show up and execute, they’ll be on their way to their second Sun Belt win in a row.

 

In the next three weeks, the Eagles will face three conference teams with a combined record of 3-11. If they’re going to compete for a conference title, they must sweep those games, starting with South Alabama this Saturday.