MOBILE, Ala. — The Joey Jones TV Show will air Saturday at 10:30 a.m. on UTV-44, an hour before South Alabama’s kickoff against Georgia Military, with the Jaguars’ head coach reviewing the team’s win over Army Prep and looking ahead to its next opponent. The half-hour program, hosted by Pat Greenwood, leads into the SEC Network Game of the Week.
Wearing Down Army Prep
Jones told Greenwood that by South Alabama’s second drive against Army Prep, he could see the opposing defense tiring. Players were breathing heavily, resting their hands on their hips and getting into their stances late. Jones said the humidity contributed to wearing Army Prep down early, and he credited the Jaguars for starting fast and playing hard.
Greenwood noted that Courtney Smith has picked up the nickname “Quick Six” and asked whether the staff saw something to exploit with the screen pass to Smith. Jones said the coaches believed they could score early through the passing game, an assessment shared by assistant coach Gregory, and the plan worked.
Jones also addressed a first-quarter fumble by Smith, saying ball security is something the Jaguars work on at every practice, including the sessions since the Army Prep game.
After reviewing a play by Ralph Turner, Jones said the staff needs to find more ways to get the ball in Turner’s hands because he is a playmaker.
Depth at Running Back
With numerous ball carriers getting touches against Army Prep, Greenwood asked whether Jones expected the Jaguars to be so deep at running back. Jones said he had not thought the position was quite that deep but was pleased to see so many players get time on the field. He added that the team is further along than the staff expected at this point of its first season.
Gregory: Points Left on the Field
Gregory joined the show and said he was not satisfied with the first two games, including the Army Prep win. He said the Jaguars left a lot of points on the field early and must do a better job converting scoring opportunities.
Gregory discussed his time at South Florida, where he arrived after the program’s start but was part of its rise to national prominence. He said he was surprised by the caliber of players Jones and his staff assembled before he was hired, noting that he had not known what he would be working with when he took the job. Gregory said South Alabama is in an excellent location for recruiting and that he believes the Jaguars can develop the way South Florida did.
Scouting Georgia Military
Gregory said Georgia Military uses multiple offensive formations and plays a 3-3 stack defense, which helps disguise where its linebackers will attack. He added that Georgia Military brings a lot of pressure.
Jones said Georgia Military brings experience among both its players and coaches. He compared the opponent to having two Hargrave teams, with one group having a year of experience to mentor the younger players.
Injury Report
The Jaguars are largely healthy after recovering from minor bumps and bruises. The exception is John Mark Patrick, who remains sidelined with a knee injury suffered in the season opener against Hargrave.
