South Alabama Jaguars football

The South Alabama Jaguars football team has come a long way since their humble beginnings in 2009. Over the years, the team has steadily risen through the ranks and made a name for themselves in the college football world.

The South Alabama Jaguars first took to the field in 2009 as an NCAA Division I FCS independent team. Over the next two seasons, they played a mix of FCS schools and Division II schools, never winning more than three games in a season. This all changed in 2011 when they announced their intentions to join the Sun Belt Conference and transition to Division I FBS.

In their first season in the Sun Belt, the Jaguars struggled, winning just two games. However, they showed flashes of potential, including a 31-7 victory over their in-state rivals, UAB. The following season, they improved their record to 6-6, including a 34-33 upset win over Western Kentucky, who was ranked 25th in the nation at the time.

Over the next few years, the Jaguars continued to improve. In 2014, they finished the season with a 6-6 record and were invited to the inaugural Camellia Bowl. They faced off against the Bowling Green Falcons and came out on top, winning their first bowl game in program history.

The 2015 season was a historic one for the Jaguars. They finished the regular season with a record of 5-7 but were granted a bowl game invitation due to a lack of bowl-eligible teams. They faced off against the Air Force Falcons in the Arizona Bowl and won in dramatic fashion. With just a few seconds left on the clock, kicker Aleem Sunanon kicked a 36-yard field goal to secure the victory.

Since their historic bowl win in 2015, the Jaguars have continued to improve. In 2016, they finished the regular season with a 6-6 record and were invited to the Nova Home Loans Arizona Bowl. They faced off against the Air Force Falcons once again but were not as fortunate, losing 45-21.

In 2017, the Jaguars finished the regular season with a 4-8 record but had several impressive victories, including a 19-14 win over the Troy Trojans. In 2018, they improved their record to 3-5 in Sun Belt play, including a win over the nationally ranked Arkansas State Red Wolves.

The 2019 season was a tough one for the Jaguars. They finished with a 2-10 record, including a 1-7 record in conference play. Despite the disappointing season, there were still some bright spots. Quarterback Cephus Johnson emerged as a bright young talent, throwing for 1,682 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Looking ahead to the 2020 season, the Jaguars have a lot to look forward to. They return several key players, including Johnson, and have a talented recruiting class coming in. They also have a strong coaching staff led by head coach Steve Campbell, who will be entering his third year with the team.

The South Alabama Jaguars football team has come a long way since their early days as an independent FCS team. Over the past decade, they have made a name for themselves in the college football world and have shown that they are capable of competing at the highest level. While they may have had some ups and downs along the way, their future looks bright, and they are poised to continue rising through the ranks.