“Carter’s throwing the ball pretty well right now,” Wommack stated on Wednesday. “He’s getting around okay. So we’re probably in a situation where he can perform his job on game day. In terms of who will enter the game first, we’ll still be deciding that in the coming days here as we get closer. I believe we will use multiple quarterbacks in the game. But these three weeks of recuperation have undoubtedly been beneficial to (Bradley).”
South Alabama (6-6) hasn’t played more than one quarterback in the same game in Wommack’s three seasons on the job, with the exception of injury or the occasional blowout. Bradley, the Jaguars’ all-time leading passer in practically every metric, has started every game in the last two years with the exception of one, when Lopez took over against Troy on Nov. 2.
Trotter has made 16 career starts, but none since 2021, when he replaced an injured Jake Bentley in two late-season games. The numerous quarterback options for the Jaguars on Saturday have given Eastern Michigan coach Chris Creighton something to think about, but he says he’s used to it.
“There’s differences between them for sure, but it doesn’t go from really good to really bad,” he remarked. “That’s the thing; it’s just a matter of which ‘good’ will be out there.” This is unusual, but we prepared for several quarterbacks in more than half of our games this year. That was a very unusual year. So it was like ‘here we go again,’ in terms of needing to prepare for several quarterbacks, with this game.”
Bradley and Trotter are both sixth-year seniors who will be playing their final collegiate football game on Saturday. In 56 career games at South Alabama, including 40 starts, the two have combined for 9,708 yards and 75 touchdowns passing.
Lopez has only appeared in four games, making one start, but he is widely regarded as South Alabama’s quarterback of the future. The Madison freshman has completed 27 of 42 passes for 283 yards and one touchdown with two interceptions while also rushing for 66 yards and a touchdown.
“I think it’s been going well, just taking every rep as a learning experience,” Lopez told the crowd. “I’m just trying to learn from everyone, the other quarterbacks and the coaches, every chance I get.” “I feel like I’ve grown throughout the season, especially in the mental aspects of the game.”
Aside from the quarterback uncertainty, South Alabama will be without two key offensive weapons for the bowl game. La’Damian Webb, a two-time 1,000-yard runner, is sidelined with a toe injury, while All-Sun Belt Conference receiver Caullin Lacy, who established a program record with 91 receptions this season, entered the transfer portal and has since signed with Louisville.
Eastern Michigan has also been harmed by transfers, which have included starter quarterback Austin Smith, guard Zack Conti, and defensive end Mikah Coleman. Either junior Ike Udengwu or freshman Cam’Ron McCoy will start at quarterback against South Alabama on Saturday. They have combined for only 29 pass attempts this season, with Udengwu leading the way with 28.
“They play complimentary football at Eastern Michigan,” Wommack explained. “They do an excellent job of moving the ball down the field methodically.” They make smart selections on third down to extend drives and, for the most part, they take care of the football. They like to bleed the ball all the way down the field, which we can’t allow.
“And then they play good situational football on defense.” They don’t allow many explosive plays and make you work for everything. In that way, we have our work cut out for us.”
South Alabama is a two-touchdown favorite over Eastern Michigan in Saturday’s game at Hancock Whitney Stadium, which begins off at 6 p.m. The Jaguars are looking for their first bowl victory, while the Eagles won the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl last year, defeating San Jose State 41-27.
South Alabama is one of two teams this year playing their bowl game on their home stadium, the other being Memphis, which plays Iowa State in the Liberty Bowl on December 29. However, because the Jaguars are the visiting team, they will wear “road” white uniforms and will use the “away” sideline and locker room.
“There are 41 bowl games and 39 of them are at neutral sites,” Creighton said in a statement. “It fits our personality. We are the underdogs. We’re from the heart of blue-collar southeast Michigan. So we’re pleased to wear green, but we know we’re just passing through.”
ESPN will broadcast the 68 Ventures Bowl live on Saturday.
