Back in 2015, students at South Alabama came up with an ingenious idea. The school’s annual meeting with in-state rival Troy would be dubbed the “Battle for the Belt”—using an actual wrestling belt as the prize for the winner of the Trojans-Jaguars football game.
“The concept behind the Belt stemmed from our student body and was accompanied by insight from our football team; the football team really liked the concept of a wrestling belt, and the Belt also plays off of the Sun Belt Conference of which both Troy and USA are members,” said then-USA Student Government (SGA) Association President Ravi Rajendra.
This year’s matchup marks the 10-year anniversary of the creation of the belt, though it will be the 13th all-time meeting between the Jaguars and the Trojans, with Troy holding a 9-3 series lead.
South Alabama head coach Major Applewhite, now in his first season as head coach, understands the importance of the game—and the rivalry. “It is different, and it means a lot to people in this part of the country. It means a lot to our university and their university, so I want them to understand it is different,” Applewhite said.
The former Texas quarterback and Nick Saban assistant has his team rolling offensively, as the Jaguars rank first in the Sun Belt in total offense at 466.2 yards per game. They have the top rushing attack in the league at 202.5 yards per contest, while the passing attack ranks fourth among Sun Belt Conference schools.
Despite the team’s success in moving the ball, South Alabama offensive coordinator Rob Ezell believes there is room for improvement. “We’ve got to find a way to finish off the long drives. I think we had three drives of 10-plus plays where we came away with zero points. That can certainly get you. We just need to continue to harp on the mental discipline,” Ezell said.
The Jaguars boast a number of players who are among conference and national statistical leaders. Linebacker Blayne Myrick is the current leader in the Sun Belt Conference in total tackles with 50 (14th in the nation), while wide receiver Jamaal Pritchett ranks fifth in the country in touchdown receptions with six. His seven total touchdowns rank 19th nationally. Quarterback Gio Lopez has been the team’s sparkplug, completing 63 percent of his passes for 1306 yards and 12 touchdowns while rushing for 289 yards and two scores.
Troy is coached by Gerad Parker, who, like Applewhite, is in his first season at the helm of his respective program. Parker’s Trojans enter Tuesday’s Battle for the Belt with a 1-5 overall record and an 0-2 mark in Sun Belt Conference play, the team’s lone win coming against Florida A&M on September 21.
Injuries have plagued Troy this season, particularly at the quarterback position. Goose Crowder is the current leader in passing yards and touchdowns with 543 and five, respectively. Devonte Ross has been the top receiving target for the Trojans, posting 556 receiving yards and seven touchdown grabs on the season, and Damien Taylor leads the rushing attack with 399 yards and a pair of scores. Defensively, Jordan Stringer paces Troy with 43 tackles, an interception, and a forced fumble.
Both teams will be looking to get back into the win column this weekend. The Jaguars (2-4) lost to Arkansas State last week in Jonesboro, Ark., while Troy dropped a home game against Texas State last weekend at Veterans Memorial Stadium.
South Alabama last won the belt in 2017, so motivation may be a huge factor in this year’s contest.
“In the hearts of students, Troy has always been our biggest rival,” Rajendra said at the announcement in 2015. “The ‘Battle for the Belt’ is the culmination of those passions.” TG
Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Ala. The game will be broadcast on ESPN2.
Photo: South Alabama head coach Major Applewhite. Photo courtesy South Alabama Athletics.
