On Thursday September 3rd, the South Alabama Jaguars will visit M.M.  Roberts Stadium in Hattiesburg, Mississippi to play the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles. South Alabama is coming off a 2-10 season and will look for a running game behind an offensive line that returns four starters and running back Tra Minter who rushed for 1,057yards in 2019. Desmond Trotter returns as the starting quarterback.

Last season the South Alabama defense was fifth in the Sun Belt Conference and seven of the top eight tacklers will return. However, the biggest strength of the defense was the front four and South Alabama lost three of those players. Riley Cole returns as the top edge rusher while linebacker Nick Molle is back after leading the team last season in tackles with 91. Although the passing game gave up just 217 yards per game last season, it must replace two of its best stars and four other players that left via the transfer portal.

Southern Miss finished the 2019 season 7-6 and lost to the Tulane Green Wave 30-13 in the Armed Forces Bowl. The Golden Eagles offense will be led by Jack Abraham who in 2019 threw for nearly 3,500 yards and connected on 19 touchdown passes. At running back, Kevin Perkins rushed for 547 yards in 2019 to lead the team. Southern Miss’ top receiver returning is Kim Jones who had 73 receptions for 902 yards and three touchdowns.

Last season the Southern Mississippi defense was very strong and six of its top eight tacklers return. Jacques Turner will be one of the top pass-rushers at defensive end, while Tahj Sykes and Von’Darius Freeman are expected to anchor the interior line. Raheem Boothe and Eriq Kitchen will be the top two linebackers on the defense while Shannon Showers at safety and Rachaun Mitchell at corner lead the defensive secondary.