South Alabama squares off against UL Monroe in Sun Belt action

UL Monroe (0-4) at South Alabama (2-2), Oct. 3 at 7 p.m. EDT.

Opening Line: South Alabama by 14.5. Against the spread: South Alabama 2-2, UL Monroe 1-3.

How to watch: ESPN+

Key stats

South Alabama Offense

Overall: 421.3 yards per game (57th in FBS)

Passing: 227.0 yards per game (73rd)

Rushing: 194.3 yards per game (36th)

Scoring: 31.3 points per game (68th)

South Alabama Defense

Overall: 402.3 yards per game (113th in FBS)

Passing: 202.3 yards per game (67th)

Rushing: 200.0 yards per game (130th)

Scoring: 30.8 points per game (119th)

UL Monroe Offense

Overall: 344.5 yards per game (113th in FBS)

Passing: 201.3 yards per game (101st)

Rushing: 143.3 yards per game (97th)

Scoring: 21.3 points per game (117th)

UL Monroe Defense

Overall: 499.8 yards per game (138th in FBS)

Passing: 254.8 yards per game (119th)

Rushing: 245.0 yards per game (137th)

Scoring: 42.8 points per game (138th)

UL Monroe ranks 137th in defensive third down percentage, allowing opponents to convert 53.3% of the time. South Alabama ranks 39th on offense, converting on 46.0% of third downs.

UL Monroe ranks 80th in the FBS with a -1 turnover margin, compared to South Alabama's 28th-ranked +3 margin.

South Alabama ranks 74th in the FBS averaging 58.5 penalty yards per game, compared to UL Monroe's 14th-ranked 37.5 per-game average.

UL Monroe is 116th in FBS in red zone defense, allowing opponents to score on 92.9% of trips. South Alabama's red zone offense ranks 66th, scoring on 88.2% of red zone opportunities.

UL Monroe is 56th in the FBS with an average time of possession of 30:36, compared to South Alabama's 5th-ranked average of 34:40.

Team leaders

South Alabama

Passing: Jared Hollins, 458 yards, 3 TDs, 2 INTs, 57.1 completion percentage

Rushing: P.J. Martin, 270 yards on 63 carries, 4 TDs

Receiving: Jeremiah Jones-Thomas, 236 yards on 19 catches, 1 TD

UL Monroe

Passing: Aidan Armenta, 493 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INTs, 65.2 completion percentage

Rushing: Austin Carlisle, 219 yards on 37 carries, 1 TD

Receiving: Marcellus Jackson, 141 yards on 21 catches, 0 TDs

Last game

South Alabama was defeated by Kentucky 45-21 on Sept. 26. Hollins passed for 266 yards on 23-of-43 attempts (53.5%) with two touchdowns and two interceptions. He also carried the ball 10 times for 25 yards. Martin had 48 rushing yards on nine carries and one touchdown, adding one reception for -1 yards. Jones-Thomas had six receptions for 91 yards and one touchdown.

UL Monroe was beaten by Florida Atlantic 45-17 on Sept. 26. Armenta threw for 278 yards on 23-of-29 attempts (79.3%) with two touchdowns and no interceptions. C.J. Phillip had 26 rushing yards on six carries. L.T. Robinson had two receptions for 79 yards and one touchdown.

Next game

South Alabama plays at Arkansas State on Oct. 8. UL Monroe hosts Louisiana Tech on Oct. 17.