MOBILE, Ala. – The record says that this week's opponent for the University of South Alabama football team is struggling, potentially making it easy for the Jaguars to overlook the game.  But when the adversary is a rival — one that has claimed the first two meetings between the two schools — that's not likely to be the case.

"We just know we're playing a good football team this week with a lot of tradition; they know how to win," explained USA head coach Joey Jones.  "That is all we are focusing on."

The Jags will look to remain in contention for the team's first-ever postseason bowl bid, as well as extend its current three-game winning streak, when they play host to Troy in a Sun Belt Conference contest that will be televised live nationally on ESPNU.  Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. at Ladd-Peebles Stadium as USA plays its second home game in six nights, and on a Friday for the first time in six seasons of competition.

The game can also be heard across the country via the iHeartRadio platform.

Last Saturday, the Jaguars (4-2, 3-1 Sun Belt) earned their first home win of the year with a 30-27 defeat of Georgia State, while the Trojans (1-6, 1-2 SBC) dropped a 53-14 decision to Appalachian State in Troy.

"This conference is very tough from top to bottom, you look at Georgia State and what they've done last year compared to this year and they are a much-improved team," stated Jones.  "I know our record, but we don't keep up with things like everyone else's — I look at film and watch athletes, how they play and how they are coached because we have to have a good plan to be able to defeat somebody.  That's our plan, I could care less about what record they have."

In defeating the Panthers to pick up their third SBC win in a row, the Jags collected 321 yards on the ground, the most in program history against an NCAA Division I opponent.  Brandon Bridge supplied 137 of those, setting a school game record for a quarterback while earning league Offensive Player-of-the-Week honors, while Jay Jones chipped in with 71, Xavier Johnson 58 and Kendall Houston 55.

For the year, Bridge has recorded 294 yards and three scores rushing, Houston has gained 209 and Johnson 188 with 128 of those coming in the last two outings.

Bridge has also completed 94-of-183 pass attempts for 1,174 yards and eight scores, ranking fifth in the conference with nearly 245 yards of total offense per game.  At the midway point of the season, USA is averaging more than 400 yards of offense per contest for the first time after gaining 486 per game during the current win streak.

Shavarez Smith and Danny Woodson II have caught touchdown passes in each of the last two contests, with the former among the league leaders in receiving yards per game posting 331 and five scores on a team-high 24 catches.  Jeremé Jones (15-155) and Wes Saxton (13-107) also join Woodson II (12-162, 2 TDs) with double-figure reception totals.

The Trojans are last defensively in the Sun Belt allowing 40.71 points per game and are ninth in total defense (469.29 ypg) after giving up 441 yards rushing to the Mountaineers.  Montres Kitchens and Mark Wilson share team-high honors with 45 total stops, while Tyler Roberts and Lamal Stadom have been credited with four sacks apiece.  Femi Odaibo paces the unit with three interceptions as well.

"Defensively, they are big and physical up front and really run to the football," Jones observed.  "They are very sound in the way they line up."

The Jaguar defense has surrendered just under 355 yards per game the last three outings, with Terrell Brigham leading the way — during that stretch the senior has collected 24 tackles, including 2½ behind the line, broken up two passes and recovered a fumble.  Theo Rich has five sacks in that time, standing second in the conference and seventh nationally with six on the year, with Demarius Rancifer recording 20 stops, and Roman Buchanan and Desmond LaVelle 17 apiece.  Buchanan has also broken up a team-best four passes during the win streak.

For the year, Brigham has 47 tackles and Maleki Harris 42 with Montell Garner leading the Sun Belt with eight passes defended — a total that includes a team-best two interceptions — and Brigham tied for second in the conference one behind.

Brandon Silvers has completed 68.7 percent (114-of-166) of his pass attempts for 1,146 yards and five scores, adding four rushing touchdowns as well.  Chandler Worthy paces the squad with 27 catches, 320 yards and three receiving touchdowns, with Brandon Burks leading the rushing attack with 322 yards and pair of scores; Jordan Chunn has also added four touchdowns on the ground.

"Kenny Edenfield is their offensive coordinator, he has done a tremendous job over the years, traditionally they are one of the top offenses in the league," Jones commented.  "He understands how to distribute the ball around the field and comes up with different kinds of what I call 'trick' plays during every game that are new.  He just does a great job of play calling."

Tickets for the contest are available and can be purchased three different ways: by visiting tickets.southalabama.edu, calling (251) 461-1USA (1872) or visiting the Mitchell Center Box Office from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. through Thursday.  The price is $25 for tickets on either sideline and $20 for end-zone seats.

The parking lot at Ladd-Peebles Stadium will be available at 8 a.m. to those wishing to tailgate prior to kickoff, and tickets can be bought on site at the box office window starting at 9 a.m.  The Jag Prowl — featuring the arrival of the team and its walk through the South parking lot to the locker room — is set for 4:15 p.m., with stadium gates opening 15 minutes after.

The cost for shuttle service is $2.50 per person round trip, with shuttles starting to run from the Bel Air Mall South parking lot at 2:30 p.m. and providing continuous service until 90 minutes after the game has ended.

The first 10,000 fans through the gates will receive a white rally towel as well.

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

—USA—