South Alabama hits the road for the first time during the 2022 season in week two when they travel to Mount Pleasant to face a tough Central Michigan team coming off a 9-4 season a year ago.
 
Jim McElwain has things going in the right direction for the Chippewas as he has led them to a 20-13 record in three years and have been to a pair of bowl games. They have also won a share of two division titles and 15 wins in conference play.
 
Central Michigan will again be a force on offense this season after finishing 24th in the nation in total offense while having the second-best passing attack in the MAC. They return quarterback Daniel Richardson who threw for 2,583 yards and 24 touchdowns with just six interceptions. However, he will have to put up those numbers with his two leading receivers off to the NFL and an offensive line that lost a pair of tackles to the NFL.
 
The Chippewas return Lew Nichols in the backfield after running for 1,848 yards and 16 touchdowns along with Kobe Lewis who missed last season with an injury.
 
Defensively, Central Michigan led the nation in tackles for loss and was fourth in sacks but lost six of their best players on defense – three to the transfer portal and another two to the NFL. They return a few pieces on defense to be good including linebackers Kyle Moretti and Justin Whiteside and return a pair of veteran cornerbacks.
 
South Alabama and Central Michigan have never met and will hit the first time on September 10 at 1 pm (et) on ESPN+.
 
Season tickets are still available by visiting USAJaguars.com or by calling the South Alabama ticket office at (251) 461-1USA (1872).
 
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