Sun Belt Commissioner Karl Benson Says South Alabama Will Be Important Piece of League’s Future
Sun Belt commissioner Karl Benson, attending South Alabama's game at Arkansas State, said the Jaguars will be a strong contributor to the league. South Alabama used six ball carriers and improved on third down without suspended running back Demetre Baker.
MOBILE, Ala. — Sun Belt Conference commissioner Karl Benson, who attended South Alabama’s game at Arkansas State on Saturday in Jonesboro, Ark., said he expects the Jaguars to become a strong contributor to the league in the near future.
Benson was interviewed before the game and at halftime.
Benson on the Jaguars
“I talked with Joey and he obviously wishes there could be more wins on the tally sheet, but he’s happy with the way the guys have been playing,” Benson said, referring to head coach Joey Jones. “They’ve been competitive, and South Alabama will be an important piece to the future of the Sun Belt.”
“He has to be patient, the league has to be patient, the fans have to be patient, but the foundation they are building is based on a plan, and a good plan,” Benson said. “I think everybody expects that South Alabama will be a strong contributor to the Sun Belt in the very near future.”
Running Game Without Baker
With leading rusher Demetre Baker suspended indefinitely for a violation of team rules, as Jones told the Press-Register, South Alabama used six different ball carriers, including quarterback Ross Metheny and Trey Fetner. It is not known when Baker will return.
Terrance Timmons took on a larger role with 13 carries for 43 yards. Kendall Houston ran 18 times for 36 yards, and T.J. Glover and Desmond Jones also carried the ball.
Third-Down Improvement
After converting a combined one third down in games against NC State and Mississippi State, South Alabama converted 9 of 20 third downs at Arkansas State. The Jaguars also converted 4 of 6 fourth-down attempts.
Schedule Ahead
The trip to Arkansas State concluded a stretch widely viewed as the most difficult part of South Alabama’s 13-game schedule, the program’s first as a full Sun Belt football member.
The Jaguars return home Saturday to face Florida Atlantic, which is 1-5 overall and 0-3 in the Sun Belt. FAU went 1-11 last season, with its only win coming against UAB in its next-to-last game.
Later in the season, South Alabama travels to Louisiana-Monroe and Louisiana-Lafayette, both of which are performing well in conference play. Louisiana-Monroe beat Arkansas in overtime and lost to Auburn in overtime earlier this season.
