Rivalry Renewed: South Alabama Aims for Second Consecutive Win Against Troy

TROY, Alabama — The annual “Battle for the Belt” is set for Saturday night at Veterans Memorial Stadium, where the South Alabama Jaguars will face the Troy Trojans. South Alabama, struggling with a record of 1-4, hopes to snap a four-game losing streak, while Troy enters at 2-2, eager to win its Sun Belt Conference opener.

Last year, South Alabama defeated Troy 25-9, marking their first victory in the series since 2017. Jaguars senior Devin Voisin is eager to keep the momentum going, stating, “Winning last year, finally, it’s a feeling you don’t want to lose, so this year it’s all about keeping that Belt here.”

South Alabama coach Major Applewhite expressed excitement for the rivalry, citing the game’s significance for players and fans alike. “It’s going to be everything that you think; it’s loud, packed, filled with intensity and passion behind the rivalry,” he said.

The Trojans come fresh off a bye week, following a dramatic comeback against Buffalo, where they rallied from a 17-0 deficit to win 21-17. Troy coach Gerad Parker noted the importance of the rivalry and the excitement surrounding the matchup. “We’re excited about beginning Sun Belt play at home in the Vet, a night game against our biggest rival,” he said.

South Alabama’s recent performances have been disappointing; they fell to North Texas 36-22 last week after a competitive start. Applewhite acknowledged the need to improve, saying, “We’ve got to put it all together.” Meanwhile, injuries have plagued the Jaguars’ defense, particularly in the secondary, where key players have been sidelined.

Historically, the series has been dominated by Troy, who leads 9-4 overall, including a 4-2 record at home. Voisin, reflecting on past defeats to Troy, admits that redemption is critical, stating, “That was a really bad feeling, and so that’s just something that I want to give to them.”

The “Battle for the Belt” kicks off at 6 p.m. on Saturday night and will be streamed live via ESPN+. Both teams are primed for a thrilling showdown, and for one, victory is essential to shift the trajectory of their season.