Quarterback to Back: A New Week, A New Challenge in South Alabama’s Carter Bradley

When I decided to resurrect this weekly quarterback preview, I did not think it would have to keep track of this many quarterbacks. But here we are, in the weird world of 2023 OSU football.

We’ve worn our keyboards bare discussing the ongoing three-headed quarterback monster that OSU has employed — and will likely continue to employ — so I’ll just briefly mention the numbers in order to juxtapose the two teams’ passing attacks and which OSU passer has done what, before we look at the Jags’ novel one-QB offense.

The Cowboys’ defense showed its ability to corral a young dual-threat phenom last week with Arizona State’s Jaden Rashada. This week they’ll have to deal with a seasoned pocket passer in Carter Bradley.

Just to show how the Cowboys’ QBs each shake out, I’ve stolen these splits from Marshall.

Bowman: 24-for-40 (60%), 193 yards, no touchdowns, no interceptions
Gundy: 12-for-16 (75%), 138 yards, one touchdown, no interceptions
Rangel: 16-for-24 (67%), 164 yards, two touchdowns, one interception

From the opposite sideline, OSU’s defense will be facing a record-setting senior in Carter Bradley. Let’s see how the QBs stack up so far in this early season.

Like Bowman, Bradley is an experienced journeyman in his sixth year of college. Bradley spent this first four years at Toledo where he totaled nearly 2,400 yards and 14 touchdowns to eight interceptions, while completed 55.7% of his passes.

But in his first year at South Alabama last season, he showed a significant improvement and set several school records. In 2022, Bradly upped his completion percentage to 65%, amassed 3,335 yards and threw 28 touchdowns to just 12 picks.

He’s been a bit up and down through two weeks this season, throwing a pair of picks in the loss to Tulane and another in last week’s win over Southeastern Louisiana.

But with Bradley and some talented receivers around him, the Jags can put up points quick and he’s not afraid to come from behind.

After trailing the Lions early last week, South Bama scored 35 of the final 45 points including an 84-TD bomb from Bradley to Caullin Lacy who’s leading the Sun Belt in catches and is second with 199 receiving yards on the year.

South Alabama’s got its guy. It will be up to the Pokes’ defense to keep a lid on the Jags’ offense while OSU continues to figure who its starting QB is.