Jags Hosts Alabama State For Final Non-Conference Game Of The Season
While the Jaguars put together a good half of football against Georgia Southern, the Eagles were able to pull away in the second half for a 48-13 win.
USA was able to keep Shai Werts GSU option attack contained in the first half, but halftime adjustments and turnovers eventually got the best of the Jags. Add on nine penalty flags for 90 yards to go with losing two of the Jags three fumbles and two interceptions and that’s a recipe for a bad day.
But now the Jags return home after three-consecutive road games to host their final non-conference foe of the season, FCS Alabama State.
The Hornets (2-3) are coming off of their second win of the season against Alcorn State 28-25. They average 101 yards rushing and 171 yards passing per game. Not stellar numbers by far.
The only other FBS school they have faced was then ranked #9 Auburn which they were clobbered 63-9.
When the final whistle sounds and the game is over, this should go down as the Jags second win of the season. But what college football has taught us this season and every other season is that no game is certain.
Look at Old Dominion, they opened the season with a 52-10 loss to Liberty then three weeks later they upset #13 Virginia Tech 49-35 for their first and only win so far this season. And they did it with the help of their second string quarterback who threw for 495 yards and four touchdowns.
[Reader]: “But Old Dominion is an FBS school, Alabama State isn’t.
Yes, that’s true. But how many times have you seen an FCS school upset an FBS team? Well lets start with what are now Sun Belt schools with Appalachian State’s upset of Michigan and Georgia Southerns upset of Florida. Then you have The Citadel over South Carolina, Portland State over Washington State, Youngstown State over Pitt, North Dakota State’s upset of Iowa, Richmond over Virigina, North Dakota State over Kansas State, Jacksonville State over Ole Miss, and William and Mary over Virginia just to make a few.
So my point is that it happens and no game should be taken lightly.
But it is an opportunity to correct mistakes and, if all goes well, lets the Jaguars show that they are the more talented team from top to bottom. If all goes to plan, this could also let some other, less experienced Jaguar players get meaningful snaps on the field as well, such as Cephus Johnson.
There’s no spread set for the game and it’s Homecoming. Let’s get the W and get the second half of the season started the right way. Fan Fest starts at 1pm with live music and free food samples from vendors.
Kickoff is set for 4pm at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Go Jags!
Inside the Numbers: