MOBILE, Ala. — South Alabama football coach Joey Jones said Monday the Jaguars must convert third downs and complete more deep passes after a physical 19-9 loss at Louisiana-Lafayette, as they prepare to visit Arkansas State on Saturday.
Jones was joined by tight end Braedon Bowman and defensive back Montell Garner at the weekly press conference.
A Physical Game in Lafayette
“The Louisiana-Lafayette game was real physical on both sides, there was a lot of great defense out there,” Jones said. “We got down there late in the fourth quarter and didn’t punch the ball in the end zone, we just didn’t make plays like we could have.”
Quarterback Brandon Bridge left the game with an ankle injury, and backup Matt Floyd led a drive to the 2-yard line before a turnover ended the threat.
“I think Matt is a winner, and that he will come in and do well if need be,” Jones said. “I feel real comfortable with either one of them.”
Offense Must Convert
Jones said South Alabama was 4-of-15 on third down against the Ragin’ Cajuns and has missed several open receivers on deep throws.
“It just comes down to execution, it’s not a matter of any secret X’s and O’s or some special play,” he said. “It is just a matter of throwing and catching the ball most of the time.”
He pointed to the Appalachian State game, when early big pass plays helped the offense find a rhythm.
Defense Has Answered Depth Questions
Jones credited defensive coordinator Travis Pearson and his staff, saying the defense entered the season with good starters but questions about depth that have since been addressed. He said the defense has been largely injury-free other than linebacker Maleki Harris.
Two Conference Games Left
South Alabama is 4-2 in Sun Belt Conference play with two league games remaining, at Arkansas State and at home against Texas State.
“To win these two would ice bowl game possibilities, that’s big for our guys — they want to get that done and understand what is at stake,” Jones said.
Jones described Arkansas State as a true spread team that works the perimeter and has an athletic quarterback who can run and throw.
Players Look Ahead
Bowman said the offense must finish drives. “We can’t get down into the red zone three or four times and come out with three or six points,” he said. “I feel like we’re so close to the offense exploding.”
He said Louisiana-Lafayette’s ends and linebackers made running difficult. “It was a physical game,” Bowman said.
Garner said the defense relies on consistency and film study. “We demand turnovers on defense – they change the ballgame,” he said. Of Arkansas State, he said, “They live off the play-action deep ball and big plays, so we’re just going to have to be disciplined.”
Game Information
South Alabama and Arkansas State kick off at 2 p.m. Saturday in Jonesboro, Ark. The game will be streamed on ESPN3.com and broadcast on 99.9 FM, with pregame coverage starting at 1:30 p.m.
