SOUTHERN JAGUARS TRAVEL TO MOBILE, AL; FACE ALABAMA STATE IN 34TH GULF COAST CLASSIC :: SWAC's two remaing unbeaten teams square off on ESPNU

Sept. 25, 2007

The SWAC's two remaining unbeaten teams, Southern and Alabama State, will square off Saturday afternoon at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama at 2:30 pm.

Southern (4-0, 2-0 SWAC) is coming off of a thrilling 41-34 come-from-behind win over Tennessee State, while Alabama State (4-0, 2-0 SWAC) came from behind for the fourth time this season in route to a 28-25 win over Alcorn State.

The game will be televised "live" on ESPNU (Cox Digital Cable, 255) at 2:30 pm (CST).

Southern Jaguars (4-0)
Southern leads the league in rushing averaging 184.0 yards per game ... is second in the SWAC in scoring offense (27.2 ppg), third-down conversions (39.7%), total offense (413.8 ypg) and net punting (35.7 yds) ... have thrown zero interceptions in 129 attempts this season (one of two teams in the SWAC) ... tied for conference lead with 10 passing touchdowns ... lead SWAC with 16 total touchdowns.

Alabama State Hornets (4-0)
Alabama State is undefeated on the season and are 3-0 in conference play ... all four wins were come-from-behind victories ... Hornets are averaging 340.5 yards per game (4th in league) while allowing 286.2 yards per contest (3rd in conference) ... are second in the conference in rush defense allowing 101.0 yards per outing ... lead the league converting 23 of 54 (42.6%) of 3rd down chances.

Series Notes:
Record: Southern leads 20-10
Last: Southern won 38-20 in 2006
Streak: Teams have split last two meetings

Alabama State: Reggie Barlow enters the game with a 4-0 career and school record. The former Alabama State standout and NFL's Jacksonville Jaguar return specialist is in his third season at his alma mater - the first two as quarterbacks coach. Maurice Harris serves as offensive coordinator while Tony Pierce serves as defensive coordinator.

Season Leaders
Passing: Chris Mitchell (46-81-4, 621 yds, 5 TD)
Rushing: Jay Peck (98 car, 492 yds, 2 TD)
Receiving: Steve Briggs (11 rec, 120 yds)
Defense: Rechard Johnson (37 TT, 5.0 TFL, FF, FR)

Southern: PETE RICHARDSON is in his 19th season as a head coach and 15th at Southern. He has an overall record of 160-63-1 and a school mark of 118-49. Mark Orlando is his offensive coordinator while Terrence Graves serves as defensive coordinator.

Season Leaders
Passing: Bryant Lee (83-126-0, 870 yds, 9 TD)
Rushing: Darren Coates (48 car, 341 yds, 4 TD)
Receiving: Del Roberts (25 rec, 247 yds, TD)
Defense: Johnathan Malveaux (33 TT, 2.5 TFL, 0.5 sack, 4 PB)