South Alabama (1-0 SU, 1-0 ATS) travels to Mount Pleasant to take on Central Michigan (0-1 SU, 0-1 ATS) on Saturday at 1pmET on Saturday.
USA beat FCS Nicholls State last Saturday 48-7, while the Chippewas lost at Oklahoma State 58-44 as a 20.5-point underdog.
Not every FCS game is an automatic win for FBS teams. Ask Navy (lost to Delaware) and Charlotte (lost to William & Mary) if these games are easy. So South Alabama amassed 508 yards against Nicholls State and blew them out 48-7 at home last week. The key for the Jaguars was replacing Jake Bentley at quarterback. Bentley was a transfer from South Carolina and Utah. Enter Carter Bradley, a former Toledo quarterback, who replaces Bently and beat out Desmond Trotter (5 TDs LY) for the starting spot.
Just a kid from #OurCity with his first TD?? #LEO @BAM3x_ ?? pic.twitter.com/nd1g9cMBmS
— South Alabama Football ?? (@SouthAlabamaFB) September 8, 2022
Bradley had an impressive debut with 260 yards passing and three TDs. He was helped by running back La'Damian Webb, who had 98 yards rushing and two TDs. Senior WR Jalen Wayne caught three passes for 98 yards and two TDs, while sophomore Caullin Lacy brought in six receptions for 72 yards.
The defense played well against Nicholls State, allowing just 106 passing yards and 59 rushing yards. This will be a tougher test, but the Jags return seven starters from a defense that ranked 5th overall in the Sun Belt with 355 yards per game allowed. Junior cornerback Darrell Luter Jr. led the league with four picks and returns to lead the secondary.