Pride follows S. Alabama into New Orleans Bowl vs. W. Kentucky

South Alabama will hope to place a bow on its most profitable FBS season by successful a bowl sport for the primary time in program historical past.

On the finish of a 10-2 season, South Alabama was chosen to play within the New Orleans Bowl in opposition to Western Kentucky on Wednesday contained in the Superdome.

The Jaguars had by no means completed a season over .500 since becoming a member of FBS in 2012. Their solely two losses this yr got here by one level on the street in opposition to UCLA in September and by 4 factors to rival Troy in October.

Troy and South Alabama ended up tied atop the Solar Belt West, so Troy superior to the Solar Belt title sport and gained the convention championship.

A visit to New Orleans will not be a foul comfort prize for the Jaguars, who’re 0-2 in bowl video games. Second-year coach Kane Wommack, who acquired a contract extension earlier this month, stated the bowl journey is each a reward and a method to carry momentum into spring practices.

“There are numerous issues to be enthusiastic about in a bowl sport and there are specific issues that I need the gamers to get pleasure from within the bowl course of and the general expertise,” Wommack informed reporters. “However on the similar time, like I informed the blokes once more this morning, the ball will get noticed at 8:05 p.m. and South Alabama is there to win the soccer sport.”

The Jaguars are led by quarterback Carter Bradley (2,976 passing yards, 25 touchdowns) and working again La’Damian Webb (1,014 dashing yards, 13 touchdowns).

Western Kentucky (8-5) will play in its ninth bowl sport in 11 years.

The Hilltoppers gained three of their closing 4 video games, together with a 32-31 additional time win over Florida Atlantic of their regular-season finale. After FAU scored first, Western Kentucky quarterback Austin Reed ran in a 1-yard landing and threw the game-winning two-point conversion to Joshua Simon.

Reed, who transferred from Division II West Florida, was named Convention USA’s Newcomer of the 12 months after throwing for 4,249 yards and 36 touchdowns, rating second and fourth in FBS, respectively.

“I feel the previous couple years have proven that it is simply not the Energy 5 that produces quarterbacks,” coach Tyson Helton stated. “This is Austin Reed on the Division II degree. He simply wanted a chance to be on that platform. There’s numerous intangibles there that he has much like (final season’s quarterback) Bailey Zappe that we noticed.”

–Discipline Degree Media