The 2024 Salute to Veterans Bowl features the 6-6 South Alabama Jaguars against the 6-6 Western Michigan Broncos. Here is the 2024 Salute to Veterans Bowl Preview.
South Alabama Jaguars
South Alabama went 6-6 to qualify for a bowl game. They defeated one team that went at least .500 in Louisiana. All six of the Jaguars’ losses were to bowl-eligible teams.
The Jaguars score 34.8 points per game, ranking 20th in the FBS. They pass for 241.2 yards (ranked 48th) and rush for 193.1 yards per game (ranked 26th).
True freshman Fluff Bothwell led the team in rushing with 832 yards and 13 touchdowns. He is in the transfer portal, so Kentrel Bullock will likely get most of the work in this game. Bullock rushed for 701 yards and six touchdowns. The Jaguars may utilize staring quarterback Gio Lopez’s legs as well, as he rushed for 465 yards and a touchdown.
Lopez has led the passing attack with 2,559 passing yards, 18 touchdowns and five interceptions on 66 percent completion. Three receivers have at least 350 yards this season. Their leading receiver is Jamaal Pritchett who finished the regular season with 91 catches for 1,127 yards and nine touchdowns.
Defensively, the Jaguars allow 25.3 points per game, putting them at 72nd in the country. They give up 143.9 rushing yards (ranked 58th) and 253.2 passing yards per game (ranked 116th). Linebacker Blayne Myrick leads the team with 92 total tackles. Courtney McBride Jr. paces the team with five sacks. Jaden Volsin made an impact in the secondary with six passes defended and five interceptions.
Western Michigan Broncos
Western Michigan went .500 to make a bowl game this season. They were able to defeat Buffalo, which was their only win over a bowl-eligible team this season. Only two of their losses, Central Michigan and Wisconsin, were to teams that didn’t make bowl games.
The Broncos score 29.4 points per game, ranking 55th in the country. They pass for 186.2 yards (ranked 109th) and rush for 188.2 yards per game (ranked 36th).
Hayden Wolff leads the team’s offense at quarterback. He has passed for 2,214 yards, 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions on 67 percent completion. Five players had at least 200 receiving yards for the Broncos this season. Kenneth Womack leads the team with 34 receptions for 456 yards and one touchdown. Tight end Blake Bosma was the second-leading receiver, but is now in the transfer portal.
Three players have at least 500 rushing yards on the season for Western Michigan. Jaden Nixon leads the team with 874 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. Jalen Buckley totaled 657 rushing yards, while Zahir Abdus-Salaam had 567.
On defense, the Broncos concede 31.4 points per game, ranking 108th. They give up 186.3 rushing yards (ranked 110th) and 218.6 passing yards per game (ranked 67th). Linebacker Donald Willis leads the team with 99 total tackles. Corey Walker has the team-high with 5.5 sacks. Safety Tate Hallock impressed in the secondary with five passes defended and four interceptions.
Prediction
Bothwell entering the transfer portal is a huge blow for South Alabama. They will still be able to move the ball, but winning by more than one score might be too much. Western Michigan’s multiple rushers can help them keep the game close.
South Alabama Jaguars 31 Western Michigan Broncos 23
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