SOUTH ALABAMA JAGUARS NOTES:
GAME DAY | STORYLINES
BACK-TO-BACK
For the first time in program history, South Alabama will be playing in back-to-back bowl games in consecutive seasons. The Jags went 10-2 during the 2022 regular season and ended the year by playing in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl.
HOMETOWN HEROES
The 2023 68 Ventures Bowl will be played on South Alabama’s home field in Hancock Whitney Stadium. The Jaguars are one of just two teams playing in their own stadium in a bowl game this year. Memphis will also play in its home stadium against Iowa State in the Liberty Bowl.
WHAT A WIN WOULD DO
A win would not only be the first bowl championship in program history, but it would secure the first consecutive winning seasons in school history as a full Division I participant. South Alabama produced three-straight winning seasons in the first-three years of the program’s existence, but the Jaguars were not yet a full Division I program as they were making the transition to full membership in the Sun Belt Conference.
ON THE BOARD
– Wide receiver Javon Ivory scored the first touchdown of his South Alabama career at Texas State by haulling in a 39-yard pass in the second quarter
NO FLY ZONE
– Defensive back Ricky Fletcher has recorded 12 pass breakups this season for South Alabama. That is the second-most in a single season in program history
Q ON A ROLL
– Linebacker Quentin Wilfawn is tied with Jake Johnson (2012) for second most tackles for loss in a season, while his 6.5 sacks are fifth most – Wilfawn is also tied with Randy Allen (2015-16) in career tackles for loss with 20.0
EASTERN MICHIGAN EAGLES NOTES:
LET’S ROCK AND BOWL
With the victory at Buffalo, Nov. 21, EMU earned bowl eligibility for the sixth time in the previous seven full seasons and just the seventh time in program history. The win also gave EMU bowl eligibility in three consecutive seasons for the first time in program history (excluding COVID-shortened 2020 season). Of note, EMU’s 1971 appearance in the Pioneer Bowl does not figure into the bowl count since it was an NCAA Division II affiliate.
CHASING HISTORY
Eastern has a chance to make history when it takes on South Alabama in the 68 Venture Bowl as victory for the Eagles would mark consecutive bowl wins for the first time in the 132-year history of the program. The Eagles defeated San Jose State, 41-27, Dec. 20, 2022, in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl in Boise, Idaho, to snap a four-game slide in bowl games and set themselves up for back-to-back wins for the first time.
QUICK HITTERS
• Brian Dooley made his 59th career start while playing in his 61st game at EMU to surpass Sidy Sow (2018-22) for the program record in both categories. Dooley’s 59 starts also rank as the most among all active FBS players. • Brian Dooley has been named the recipient of the 2023 Disney Spirit Award, given since 1996 to the most inspirational figures in college football. The award was created to honor people like Dooley who demonstrate an indomitable spirit and a willingness to help others. • Chase Kline (143) and Joe Sparacio (131) have collected 274 tackles in 12 games, which is 28.6 percent of the team’s total. Combined, the 274 tackles are the most by an Eastern duo since 1982 when Bill Rush (126) and Joe Ilano (160) combined for 286. • Six Eagles earned All-MAC accolades, led by punter Mitchell Tomasek, who earned first-team honors. • With the victory at Buffalo, Nov. 21, EMU punched its ticket for bowl eligibility for the sixth time in the previous seven full seasons and just the seventh time in program history. The win also gave EMU bowl eligibility in five consecutive seasons for the first time in program history (excluding COVID-shortened 2020 season). • Since 2016, all 12 teams in the Mid-American Conference have played in at least one bowl game with the Eagles appearing in a league-best six, joining Ohio and Toledo for the top spot. • Several firsts are available for the Eagles in the 68 Ventures Bowl, including back-to-back bowl victories for the first-time program history, EMU’s first bowl win in Alabama (0-2 entering the game), and the Eagles’ first win in the state of Alabama (0-3 entering the game).
AND YOU ARE? Eastern Michigan is set to face South Alabama in the 68 Ventures Bowl and, while it is not the first game the Eagles have played inside Hancock Whitney Stadium (2021 LendingTree Bowl), it is the first game, regardless of location, EMU has played against USA. The Eagles-Jaguars meeting will mark the third time Eastern has faced an opponent for the first time in program history this season after falling on the road both Minnesota, Sept. 9, and at Jacksonville State, Sept. 23.
MAC-SBC CHALLENGE, GRIDIRON EDITION
In early November, men’s and women’s basketball teams took part in the MAC-SBC Challenge with the MAC hosting men’s games and the SBC hosting women’s contests with the hosts set to switch for the follow-up contests in February (announced in January). In the first weekend, EMU faced Georgia Southern with the men winning at home and the women falling on the road. While unofficial, the bowl season appears to have a MAC-SBC Challenge flavor of its own as four of the MAC’s six bowl participants will meet SBC foes, including the 68 Ventures Bowl, the Myrtle Beach Bowl (Ohio vs. Georgia Southern), the Cure Bowl (Miami vs. Appalachian State), and the Camellia Bowl (Northern Illinois vs. Arkansas State).
KINGS OF THE LANES
Since 2016, all 12 MAC teams have played in at least one bowl game with the Eagles appearing in a league-best six, joining Ohio and Toledo for the top spot. 6 • Eastern Michigan, Ohio, Toledo 5 • Miami 4 • Buffalo, Central Michigan, NIU, Western Michigan 2 • Ball State, Bowling Green, Kent State 1 • Akron
RETURNING TO THE YELLOWHAMMER STATE
The Eagles are no stranger to the state of Alabama in recent years, especially during bowl season. This year’s 68 Ventures Bowl will mark the second time EMU has played in the game in Mobile after falling to Liberty, 56- 20, Dec. 18, 2021, in the then-LendingTree Bowl. The first instance came in Montgomery at the 2018 Camellia Bowl, a close 23-21 loss to Georgia Southern. EMU also played at Jacksonville State earlier this year (Sept. 23), falling, 21-0.
‘BAMA BARN BURNERS
Historically, bowl games in Mobile have had a penchant for high scores. In the previous 24 games, the teams have combined for 1,519 total points, an average of 63.3 points per game. Additionally, two of the highest scoring games in NCAA bowl history have taken place in Mobile: Marshall defeated East Carolina, 64-61, in double-overtime in 2001, while Toledo outscored Arkansas State, 63-44, in 2005.
