The 2-0 South Alabama Jaguars will head west to take on the 2-0 UCLA Bruins as the Sun Belt Conference invades the Pac 12 on Saturday. The Jaguars are 2-0 thanks to last Saturday's road win over Central Michigan. The Chip Kelly-led Bruins have shown off their offensive chops over the first two weeks, scoring a 90 points over their first two games while holding the opposition to 24 points. This will be the first time these two schools have ever played against each other. The opening kickoff is set for 2:00pm EST.
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The South Alabama Jaguars have come out of the gate fast in 2022 with two-straight wins prior to their first-ever trip to UCLA to take on the Bruins. Last Saturday, the Jaguars took down Central Michigan on the road, 38-24 thanks to opportunistic special teams, ball control and timely stops on defense. Quarterback Carter Bradley went 26-of-42 for 354 yards and three touchdowns in the win. Wide receivers Jalen Wayne an Caullin Lacy combined for 15 catches for 195 yards. Wayne hauled in a touchdown pass while 3rd receiver Devin Voisin also had a touchdown grab. Running back La'Damian Webb had 95 yards on 20 carries and had two touchdowns of his own.
“You look at the energy we brought and the physicality we played with, some of the response we had early against adversity … our guys stormed back when they scored there on the early series. We held momentum and we played really hard. That was a tough, domi nating performance against a very good football team. You look at what Jim McElwain has been able to do with this program going into year four, he has his players expecting to win. They play hard, they play physical, they have talented guys on the back end. We gave up some cheap things at the end and you hate to see what, it drives you nuts on the defensive staff. You are going to have those situations, but I thought our guys did a really good job.” South Alabama head coach Kane Wommack said after the game.
The Granddaddy of them All ??
The Jags are in LA this weekend ?? #LEO pic.twitter.com/EOiyp7a08b
— South Alabama Football ?? (@SouthAlabamaFB) September 13, 2022
South Alabama's defense and special teams have caused four turnovers in their first two games. The special teams have recovered two fumbles, the defense has gotten a fumble recovery and defensive back AJ DeShazor has an interception. They are also in the Top-20 in total defense (17th), rushing defense (14th) and third-down defense (tied for 20th). One key for the Jaguars defense has been the team's offense staying on the field and giving them rest. South Alabama is ranked second nationally in time of possession at 37 minutes per game.
“It’s something that we are mindful of, but we are also very formation-oriented on offense,” Wommack said. “We do check (to a different play) a decent amount to get the looks that we want to see. So some of that just takes time naturally. But then, just the way we’re built defensively, I’ve seen teams that when you can play a limited amount of snaps on defense. Y ou’re going to play in a much faster and more violent, fashion, which is what we’re seeing right now from the defensive side of the ball.”