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Experienced bookends give boost to young South Alabama offensive line

Three-fifths of South Alabama's offensive line will be making their first college football starts on Saturday against Louisiana Tech.

Left guard Hadon Merchant, center Brian Ankerson and either Rowan Godwin or Roy Albritton at right guard are all getting their first big breaks when the Jaguars host the Bulldogs at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. But it's not like the other two starters are greybeards either.

Right tackle Ryan Alexander has started 16 straight games, including all 12 last year. Left tackle Troy Thingstad started one game in 2016 and played sparingly on offense last season.

First-year USA head coach Steve Campbell is an old offensive line coach, and still works with the men up front on a daily basis.