5 things to know about South Alabama football before the 2024 season
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A new season for South Alabama means the start for another new head coach in the state.
The Jaguars have recorded two consecutive winning seasons for the first time in program history, including getting their first bowl win last year with a 59-10 victory over Eastern Michigan. But coach Kane Wommack left to take the defensive coordinator gig at Alabama.
Enter Major Applewhite. The Jaguars’ offensive coordinator since 2021 has previous head coaching experience with Houston and is hoping to continue the program’s success in Mobile.
Keep reading for the top five things you need to know before South Alabama kicks off this weekend against North Texas.
1. A fresh offense
Major Applewhite is one of the few pieces returning to the South offense that averaged over 33 points per game last season.
Former James Clemens star Gio Lopez will take over the starting quarterback job, after earning bowl game MVP honors in his lone start last season. He’ll have a lot of new faces to distribute the ball to including senior receivers Jamaal Pritchett and Javon Ivory.
Joining Lopez in the backfield will be running backs Kentrel Bullock and Braylon McReynolds.
2. Voisin brothers
Another name to watch on offense is wide receiver Devin Voisin who played in just two games last year before a season-ending injury. He was the team’s leading receiver in 2022, finishing that season with 867 yards and five touchdowns through the air.
Twin brother Jaden Voisin starts at safety for the Jaguars and was voted as preseason first-team All-Sun Belt. He’s combined for six interceptions and 12 pass deflections over the last two seasons.
There’s a good chance success on either side of the ball will come through the Voisin family.
3. Another Power 4 upset?
South Alabama has been putting the fear into some of the biggest programs in the country in recent years. Those tough road trips turned into a signature win last season.
Here’s how the Jaguars have fared against power conferences in recent years:
- 2023: 33-7 win at Oklahoma State
- 2022: 32-31 loss at UCLA
- 2019: 35-21 loss at Nebraska
- 2016: 21-20 win at Mississippi State
- 2013: 31-24 loss at Tennessee
South Alabama will have another chance against a football powerhouse this year as the team travels to Baton Rouge to play LSU on September 28.
4. Battle for the Belt
While the Jaguars have been better in recent seasons, they have not been able to stop Troy’s winning streak in what may be the second biggest football rivalry in the state.
The Trojans lead the all-time series 9-3, winning the last six meetings with an average margin of victory of 17 points.
This year’s rivalry will return to Hancock-Whitney Stadium, where the Jaguars have never won in the series. The game is scheduled for a Tuesday night kickoff this season with the two teams meeting on Oct. 15.
5. Proving the Sun Belt coaches wrong
There are a few teams from the Sun Belt that are getting some attention as possible College Football Playoff teams including Appalachian State, Texas State, Troy and James Madison. Three of those four teams are on South Alabama’s schedule this season.
Meanwhile, the Jaguars were picked by the conference’s coaches to finish fifth in the Sun Belt West Division. That would be the team’s lowest finish in the division since 2019.
Here’s a complete look at the schedule:
- North Texas, Aug. 31
- at Ohio, Sept. 7
- Northwestern State, Sept. 12
- at Appalachian State, Sept. 19
- at LSU, Sept. 28
- at Arkansas State, Oct. 5
- Troy, Oct. 15
- UL Monroe, Oct. 26
- Georgia Southern, Nov. 2
- at Louisiana, Nov, 16
- at Southern Miss, Nov. 23
- Texas State, Nov. 29
If you’re a South Alabama fan, what are you most looking forward to this season? Let us know by tagging The Bama Buzz on Instagram, X, Facebook + LinkedIn.
