Getting To Know South Alabama

University of South Alabama
Founded: 1963
Enrollment: 15,007
Fun Fact: In the late 1960s, the school had a live jaguar mascot that lived on campus. School officials eventually reconsidered after the animal got out of its cage and roamed around campus, eating three freshmen in the process. They named the jaguar Mischka, which is also a Russian word commonly used to describe a dancing bear in a circus.

South Alabama Jaguars Football
Affiliations: Division I-AA, independent
First Game: 2009
All-Time Record: 19-0 (1.000)
Head Coach: Joey Jones (3rd season; 19-0)
Fun Fact: While the program is officially classified as "I-A transitional (FCS)," they spent their first two seasons unclassified, which made for a strange hodge podge of opponents. In 2009, they played "four high-level prep
programs, two top-20 junior colleges and a qualifier for the NCAA Division III playoffs" and last year upped the ante with four programs that were either established at the FCS level or transitioning into it. On that obscure list of opponents: Pikeville (KY), Lamar (one brave dude), Edward Waters (ditto), and Missouri S&T.
Bonus Non-Football Fun Fact: Eddie Stanky, who spent 11 years in the majors and led the National League in walks three times, coached USA's baseball team for 14 years beginning in 1969. Among the USA alums who've played in the majors recently: Juan Pierre, Marlon Anderson, Adam Lind, Jon Lieber, and Luis Gonzalez.
All-Name Team: Randon Carnathan, Michel Chapuseaux
Returning Starters: 16 (9 offense, 7 defense)
Basic Offense: Multiple one- and two-back (hat tip to the media guide for these specific specifics)
Basic Defense: 3-4/Multiple