MOBILE, Ala. — South Alabama football coach Joey Jones said Tuesday that the Jaguars played hard in their season opener against West Alabama but did not play the brand of football he expects, citing four first-half turnovers, special teams mistakes and poor field position that must be corrected before Lamar visits Mobile on Saturday.
Jones and defensive coordinator Bill Clark discussed the opener and the Lamar matchup on the Joey Jones Show with host Lee Shirvanian at Baumhower’s on Airport Boulevard.
Reviewing the Opener
Asked whether the Jaguars played a good game, Jones said, “I don’t know.” He said his players played hard, were physical and were emotionally ready, but made mistakes. Turnovers, mental errors and special teams play left the offense starting drives at its own 19-yard line on average, while Jones estimated West Alabama’s average start was near midfield. He said a team cannot play well with field position that poor, but that the problems are fixable and must be corrected quickly.
Running backs Kendall Houston and Demetre Baker were suspended for the first half. Jones said the game likely would have been different with them, though there is no way to know for certain, and that playing without them and receiver Corey Besteda, another big-play threat, left a void. He said South Alabama scored on its opening drive, largely by throwing, before turnovers took over, and that the staff does not want a similar situation to happen again.
Jones recognized Houston as the offensive standout for breaking numerous tackles after entering the game. Linebacker Enrique Williams, returning from a shoulder injury suffered in preseason camp, was the defensive standout with 11 tackles.
The defense limited West Alabama receiver Worsham, who led the Tigers with five catches for 44 yards, to a long gain of 13 yards. Clark said the staff liked the effort but has plenty to improve, and that he appreciates having film of this week’s opponent after preparing for West Alabama with only the previous season’s video.
Asked whether special teams were improved, Jones said no, though there were positives and negatives, and the staff knows what to work on.
Jones confirmed that the Jaguars lined up in the wishbone near the goal line and said the formation is used when the team gets close to the end zone.
Lamar Comes to Mobile
Lamar will be the first opponent South Alabama has faced twice. The Jaguars won at Lamar last season, when Houston rushed for more than 160 yards. Jones said Lamar has had this game circled since then and wants to win in Mobile, warning that his players cannot look ahead to upcoming games against NC State and Kent State. Clark said the staff has had no trouble keeping its focus on Lamar.
Clark said Lamar added three offensive line transfers, including a guard who was the nation’s No. 2 guard prospect two years ago and signed with USC, and a right tackle from Arkansas who stands about 6-foot-7 and weighs more than 300 pounds. He said Lamar returns last season’s quarterback and added a transfer who signed with West Virginia and was among the top running quarterbacks in Texas. Lamar had two starting receivers and its starting tight end out last week, Clark said.
Jones said Lamar’s biggest defensive change is in the interior, moving from a 4-2-5 to a 4-3 after losing two linemen to injury last season, and that its two best players are likely its interior linemen. Asked whether Houston could repeat last year’s performance, Jones said he hopes so but that the offense must stay balanced.
Secondary and Defensive Leaders
Clark agreed that cover defensive backs B.J. Scott, Damon Smith and Charles Harris allow the Jaguars to leave them in coverage and focus on pass rush. He said the defense relies on the middle linebacker, either Jake Johnson or Bryson James, along with safeties Scott and Harris, to make sure players are lined up correctly.
Clark praised Ken Barefield, who moved from safety to linebacker and can play the strongside or nickel spot, giving the Jaguars a fifth defensive back in effect. Clark said Barefield’s aggressiveness suits the position. Barefield leaped over a would-be blocker during the game and intercepted a pass in the red zone.
Clark said Williams’ missed practice time was not a concern because he knows the system and stayed with linebackers coach Crain during workouts to follow along.
Injury Update
Jones said the team came out of the opener healthy, with only about three players injured, compared with two pages of injuries earlier in the summer. Receiver Greg Hollinger, a 6-foot-3, 215-pounder, will return for Lamar. Hollinger tore a quadriceps muscle after arriving last year and hurt his shoulder early this summer. Jones said Hollinger was difficult for the first-team defense to cover in practice last year, and since the Jaguars rotate receivers, he expects Hollinger to play about half the game. Melvin Meggs and Scott left the opener with cramps only.
Turf, Uniforms and Offense
Jones said he is a traditionalist who prefers grass, but that artificial turf has improved greatly and makes financial sense for many venues. He said the turf drained within about 30 minutes after heavy rain Thursday.
Asked about Georgia’s new uniforms, Jones said South Alabama would not adopt anything similar, adding that Maryland’s opening-week uniforms were far worse. Clark said South Alabama likes to mix up its look but stays within its colors.
Clark noted that Jones was among the first coaches in Alabama high school football to use the spread and throw the ball extensively.
Asked about Kent State’s game against Alabama, Jones said the Golden Flashes’ defense concerned him because it got through Alabama’s offensive line early and stopped the run, but said the staff will focus on Kent State when the time comes.
