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Game Time: Noon, Saturday October 26th 2019
Location: Ladd Peebles Stadium, Mobile Alabama
TV: ESPNU
Radio: Appalachian Sports Network
Previous Meeting: 52-7 App State last year
All Time: App State 2-1
Spread: -27 App St, O/U 52
Preview
Appalachian State brings their 6-0 record down to the deep south of Mobile to take on the South Alabama Jaguars this weekend in a stadium the Apps have never lost in. The Mountaineers’ high octane offense comes in averaging 439 yards a game while the USA defense gives up an average of 405.
App State leads in points per game in Sun Belt play, the Mountaineers rank first at 17 points allowed per game against Sun Belt teams. They’ve allowed seven points each in back-to-back wins over the Louisiana teams. South Alabama struggles to run and pass the football as the Jags only average 159 yards per game on the ground and a lowly 153 through the air.
Sophomore QB Cephus Johnson has been less than stellar this season as he has managed just 891 yards passing and 7 interceptions to only 5 touchdowns. Coach Eli Drinkwitz knows Cephus Johnson as he told local media outlets this week that he recruited him while he was at NC State. He also praised Johnson for his ability to extend plays.
Zac Thomas has continued his great play as he went 18/30 214 yards with 3 TDs last week against ULM. Zac is as true of a leader you could ask for as the team believes in him and he has shown time and time again that he can step up and make the big play. Thomas has only lost 2 games as the starting QB at App State against Penn State and Georgia Southern last year where he was knocked out of the game on the first drive.
Last week App State’s 19 pass completions against ULM were spread out between nine players, as tight end Collin Reed scored and grad transfer Keishawn Watson added a 14-yard reception. Jalen Virgil’s 56-yard touchdown following a short pass from 2nd string QB Jacob Huesman capped the touchdown party.
The stats for USA are similar to those of ULM from a week ago as the Jags give up 404 yards of offense per game while nearly dead even in balance at 202 on the ground and through the air. The Jags also give up 30 points per game and, as seen a week ago, App State can score. We could be in line for the same amount of point production we saw last week.
Thomas has another big day through the air, spreading the love between all the receivers much like a week ago as App stays in the top-25 and gears up for a Halloween showdown with Georgia Southern next week.