The “Battle for the Belt” is an intense football rivalry between the South Alabama Jaguars and the Troy Trojans. This year marks a significant moment as both teams prepare to clash for the 14th time. Troy will host the game on Saturday night at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Troy, Alabama.
Current Standings and History
The Jaguars enter the contest with a record of 1-4 overall and 0-1 within the Sun Belt Conference. They are looking to break a four-game losing streak. In contrast, the Trojans hold a 2-2 record and are set to play their first conference game of the season.
Last year, South Alabama claimed victory over Troy with a score of 25-9, marking their first win since 2017. This year, the Jaguars aim to secure back-to-back “Belt” wins for the first time since 2015. Historically, Troy has dominated this rivalry, having won six consecutive games from 2018 to 2023. They also maintain an all-time series lead of 9-4, with no losses at home to South Alabama since 2017.
Recap of Previous Meetings
- 2012: Troy 31, South Alabama 10 – Troy controlled the game despite committing three turnovers.
- 2013: Troy 34, South Alabama 33 – A thrilling win decided by a last-minute touchdown pass.
- 2014: South Alabama 27, Troy 13 – The Jaguars secured their first-ever victory in the series.
- 2015: South Alabama 24, Troy 18 – This game introduced the “Battle for the Belt” championship belt.
- 2016: Troy 28, South Alabama 21 – Troy regained The Belt with a strong second half.
- 2017: South Alabama 19, Troy 8 – A defensive win for the Jaguars as they forced four turnovers.
- 2018: Troy 38, South Alabama 17 – Troy dominated throughout the game with multiple touchdowns.
- 2019: Troy 37, South Alabama 13 – A second-half outburst led to an easy win for Troy.
- 2020: Troy 29, South Alabama 0 – A shutout win for Troy, severely limiting the Jaguars’ offense.
- 2021: Troy 31, South Alabama 24 – A crucial injury shifted the momentum in Troy’s favor.
- 2022: Troy 10, South Alabama 6 – The lowest-scoring game in the series history, defined by strong defenses.
- 2023: Troy 28, South Alabama 10 – Troy continued its success, even with South Alabama taking an early lead.
- 2024: South Alabama 25, Troy 9 – The Jaguars prevailed with a dominant defensive performance, marking a new chapter in the rivalry.
Upcoming Battle for the Belt
Kickoff for the 2025 “Battle for the Belt” is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Stadium. This matchup promises to be exciting, as the teams are eager to solidify their standings in the Sun Belt Conference.
