USA Gameday: Jags Vs Kent State
It’s homecoming for the Jaguars. They have only played one home game in the month of September and this is their first and only home game in the month of October. These guys are ready to play in front of a home crowd.
They will be wearing their RED jerseys and white pants. In a “Jaguar Red Out”, the first 10,000 fans to the stadium will receive a red Jaguar Rally Towel. The game will be broadcast on ESPN3 online, WSNP 105.5FM will have play-by-play coverage in the Mobile area and can also be streamed world wide on www.wnsp.com.
As always, parking is limited at Ladd-Peebles Stadium and only season ticket holders have access to purchase parking passes. Parking near Ladd-Peebles is available but it is not controlled nor managed by South Alabama or Ladd-Peebles Stadium.
Shuttle service is available by The Wave. It will run continuously from 10am until 90 minutes after the end of the game. They run from Bel Air Mall with pickup and dropoff in the parking lot south of Target and JC Penny. The lot is well lit and has security provided by USA.
The “Jaguar Prowl” is scheduled for 11:40 AM. The players will walk along the south side of the stadium from the east to west side with Jaguar coaches, cheerleaders, Southpaw and the Jaguar Marching Band.
Their opponents are the Kent State Golden Flashes from the Mid-American Conference. Kent State have played a tough schedule so far. They have non-conference losses against LSU and Penn State as well as conference losses against the top three teams in the conference so far: Northern Illinois, Ball State and Bowling Green.
Injuries have been a problem for the Golden Flashes, their starting quarterback, redshirt freshman Colin Reardon, is expected to miss the game with an ankle injury. Along with Reardon, sophomore punter and placekicker Anthony Melchiori, one of the top punters in the nation, is also expected to miss the game. Star defensive tackle Roosevelt Nix is questionable for the game due to a nagging back injury and will be a game-time decision along with several other starters for the Golden Flashes.
South Alabama had some injuries early that impacted the team. Offensive lineman Melvin Meggs tore his ACL in summer workouts. Defensive end Will Thompson injured his ankle that required surgery in preseason camp. Randon Carnathan injured his Achilles’ heel against Tulane and will miss the remainder of the season. But since then, the Jags have been quite healthy.
If possible, Roosevelt Nix will play as he is probable the best player at his position the Jags will face this season. He is an impact player and the Jags will have to figure out a way to limit his impact on the game.
After the Jags loss to Troy, South Alabama opened up competition for the placekicking duties. With two weeks of competition, Aleem Sunanon kept his job but he and Scott Garber will have their hands full as they will try to kick away from Dri Archer, a dangerous kick returner for the Golden Flashes.
So far this season, the quarterback position has been shared between Ross Metheny and Brandon Bridge. Metheny has been the starter with Bridge coming is as the change-up/change-of-pace quarterback for the Jags. How often and when will Bridge see playing time will be of interest to fans.
The Kent State offensive line will attempt to open holes for Dri Archer to run through against the Jaguar defense. Along with Archer, they have more talent in the backfield with Trayion Durham and Anthony Meray. Head coach Joey Jones expect the Golden Flashes to rely heavily on their rushing game against the Jags. The Jaguar rushing defense ranks 48th in the nation with an average of 146.2 yards per game allowed.
Go Jags! Beat Kent State!