MOBILE, Ala. – The University of South Alabama football program will begin writing the second chapter of its young football history Saturday when it hosts Pikeville (Ky.) College in the season opener at 4 p.m. at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.

The Jaguars went 7-0 in their inaugural season a year ago, and are now set to take on the first 10-game schedule in the program’s history beginning Saturday afternoon.

South Alabama returns 10 starters from an offense which averaged 45.9 points per game and 439 yards per contest last season, led by Brandon Ross who finished with 594 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns on just 75 carries. Ross averaged 84.9 yards per game in 2009 and nearly eight yards per carry.

Santuan McGee, who averaged 7.1 yards per carry last season and finished with 350 yards on 49 attempts, also returns in the Jaguar backfield. McGee ranked second on the team in rushing touchdowns a year ago with four.

Myles Gibbon passed for a team-high 538 yards and six touchdowns last season. He finished 29-of-51 passing for a completion percentage near 60 percent, and averaged nearly 90 yards per game passing. Courtney Smith returns to lead the Jaguar receiving corps after finishing with team bests in receptions (20), receiving yards (473) and touchdowns (5).

Defensively, the Jags return 10 starters from a unit which allowed less than a touchdown per game in 2009. In fact, the Jaguars outscored the opposition 187-12 in the first half last season and held opponents to just 29 total points after the intermission. The USA defense held opponents scoreless in the first quarter last season while limiting the opposition to just 233 total yards per contest.

Justin Dunn returns to lead the linebacking corps after pacing the Jags in tackles (40), tackles for loss (7.5) and forced fumbles (2) a year ago. Jerron Mitchell who ranked second in interceptions with three last season, returns to lead the Jaguar secondary.

“Our kids are obviously looking forward to the first ball game,” USA head coach Joey Jones said. “We’ve been working against each other for almost a month now, so they are excited about getting out there in our uniforms, playing at Ladd-Peebles Stadium and having a good time again on Saturdays.  We worked the whole offseason for days like this, so our players as well as our coaches are excited and looking forward to it.”

South Alabama defeated Hargrave (Va.) Academy 30-13 in the program’s first-ever game last season in Mobile.

Pikeville, a member of the Mid-South Conference (MSC) in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, finished 3-8 last season and 1-5 in the MSC. The Bears averaged 184.3 total yards per game last season, while opponents averaged 365.8 yards per contest.

The Bears allowed over 365 total yards per game last season – 220 rushing and nearly 146 in the air – while averaging 184.3 total yards per game offensively. They averaged 81.5 yards per game passing and 102.8 on the ground in 2009. Pikeville allowed 28.5 sacks last season for an average over 2.5 per game.

Gone from last season’s Pikeville squad is leading rusher Jeremy Mobley, who recorded 514 yards and two touchdowns a year ago.Chase Ellis is the Bears’ leading returner in passing yards (645) and touchdowns (2), while Bobby Owens is PC’s top returnee at wideout after finishing with 17 receptions for 192 yards last season, both of which ranked second on the team.

Outside linebacker Anson Cunningham leads the Pikeville defense after recording 72 tackles, four tackles for loss, one sack and one interception last season.

“We don’t know much about Pikeville this year, I do know they have a few transfers,” Jones said. “One thing about the first ball game of the year is that you have to go in with a base plan, but ready to make adjustments because it really doesn’t matter what a team has done last year — they’re going to do something in the offseason to improve their team.  We’re doing the same thing, and hopefully they’re going to have to make adjustments to what we do as well.  It’s difficult to prepare for someone like that because you don’t know the personnel, or what they are going to do offensively and defensively until they get here.

 “You have an idea and work on it, which we’ve done the last week and will continue to do this week.  The key is to have base plays; base things you do well so no matter what they do you can execute.  That’s what we’ve concentrated on the most.”

Saturday’s game will be broadcast on WNSP 105.5 FM in Mobile, and can be accessed nationwide at www.wnsp.com.

Tickets for Saturday’s game can be purchased for only $15 for reserved sideline seats and $10 for general admission end zone seats. Fans can purchase tickets at the Mitchell Center Ticket Office or online at www.usagameday.com. There is free admission to all USA students with an active student ID. Students may also pick up their “Jaguar Shakers” as they enter the stadium at gate 2E.

The Jaguar South Prowl will take place at 1:40 p.m. Saturday prior to the game as USA coaches and players walk into the stadium, beginning at the southeast corner of Ladd-Peebles Stadium.

Jaguar Jungle, a kids zone that features a football toss, slide, bounce house, Wii games and other inflatables, will also be available on the southeast corner of the stadium near “Jag City.”

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com.  Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

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