South Alabama Holds Final Mobile Practice, Moves to Montgomery for Camellia Bowl as JUCO Signing Period Opens
South Alabama finished its final Mobile practice with a senior tradition and moved to Montgomery for the Camellia Bowl, while expecting to sign up to five junior college players.
MOBILE, Ala. — South Alabama held its final home practice of the season Tuesday morning and then traveled by bus to Montgomery, where the Jaguars will complete preparations for Saturday’s Camellia Bowl against Bowling Green.
Following a program tradition, underclassmen carried the seniors off the practice field at the end of the last workout in Mobile.
Bowl Week Schedule
South Alabama arrived in Montgomery on Tuesday afternoon. The Jaguars are scheduled to practice at Huntingdon College on Wednesday and Thursday before a walk-through at the Cramton Bowl on Friday. The team will also take part in bowl-week events leading up to the game.
Kickoff between South Alabama and Bowling Green is set for 8:15 p.m. Saturday at the Cramton Bowl. The game will be the Jaguars’ first prime-time national television broadcast. South Alabama has sold out its ticket allotment, with reports indicating only a few hundred tickets remained available overall.
Offense Under Vincent
The Jaguars have spent bowl preparations adjusting to the offense under Bryant Vincent, who recently took over the unit. Quarterback Brandon Bridge said he has been pleased with the offense’s pace since Vincent took charge, and head coach Joey Jones said practices have had a different feel recently.
Preparing for Bowling Green’s Tempo
On the other side of the ball, South Alabama’s defense is preparing for a Bowling Green offense that leads the nation in how quickly it snaps the ball between plays. Defensive players will need to recognize formations and communicate adjustments to coverages and fronts when coaches cannot relay calls in time.
Junior College Signing Day
Wednesday marks the first day junior college transfers can sign National Letters of Intent, and South Alabama expects to sign as many as five junior college players.
Among those expected to sign are tight end James Bynes of Dodge City (Kan.) Community College, defensive back Quinton Lane of Itawamba (Miss.) Community College and wide receiver Tyrone Williams of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.
Defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator Brian Turner told AL.com the staff is targeting junior college players at positions where the Jaguars need immediate help, and could add more depending on developments at UAB.
UAB Players Plan to Transfer
Three UAB players have announced plans to enroll at South Alabama in January: offensive linemen Lee Dufour and Cameron Blankenship and quarterback Austin Chipoletti. More of their former teammates are expected to follow.
