MONTGOMERY, Ala. — South Alabama held its final practice of the 2014 season Thursday at Huntingdon College’s Charles Lee Field as the Jaguars completed preparations for the Camellia Bowl, the program’s first bowl appearance.
The Jaguars practiced in shells and walked through their game plan for Bowling Green. Coaches kept the session shorter than usual, aiming to give players rest while keeping the game plan fresh.
Players Trade Jerseys
Continuing what has become a last-practice custom for the program, players swapped jerseys for Thursday’s workout. Maleki Harris, who normally wears No. 6, practiced in No. 77, while offensive lineman Chris May wore No. 8. Several other players also traded numbers.
Head coach Joey Jones told AL.com the practice dates back a few years, recalling a 5-foot-4, 162-pound player wearing the jersey of a 6-foot-2, 300-pound teammate.
“It looked kind of funny and they had to tie it up in the back. It’s fun,” Jones said. “Our guys work and they know the priorities and they’re going to work hard. And if they’re going to work their tails off and still have fun, I’m good with it.”
Bowl Week Activities
After practice, both South Alabama and Bowling Green visited the Rosa Parks Museum in Montgomery at separate times.
On Friday, USA president Tony Waldrop, members of the university’s Board of Trustees and members of the executive administration are scheduled to volunteer at the Montgomery Area Food Bank from 2 to 4 p.m. The USA volunteers, joined by mascot Southpaw, will help prepare food for distribution at the organization’s Montgomery warehouse while wearing Jaguar athletic jerseys.
Program Milestone
The Camellia Bowl appearance marks the first postseason bowl trip for South Alabama, a Sun Belt Conference member whose football program began play in 2009 under Jones, its only head coach. The Jaguars meet Bowling Green on Saturday in Montgomery.
Update
South Alabama and Bowling Green kick off at 8:15 p.m. Saturday at the Cramton Bowl in the inaugural Raycom Media Camellia Bowl. South Alabama is a 3-point favorite.
Bowling Green, of the Mid-American Conference, is 7-6 overall and went 5-3 in league play. Dino Babers is in his first season as the Falcons’ head coach and is 26-13 in three seasons as a head coach. Bowling Green has lost three straight games, including a 51-17 loss to Northern Illinois in the MAC Championship Game. South Alabama’s last game was a 42-40 home loss to Navy in which the Jaguars had two successful two-point conversion attempts wiped out by penalties before failing on a third try.
Quarterback James Knapke took over after Matt Johnson suffered a season-ending injury in the opener. Knapke has thrown for 2,805 yards with 13 touchdowns and 12 interceptions and has run for 126 yards and two touchdowns. Running backs Travis Greene and Fred Coppet each average more than 5 yards per carry, and Greene has 10 touchdowns and needs 92 yards to reach 1,000 for the season. Roger Lewis leads the receivers with 69 catches for 956 yards and five touchdowns, Ryan Burbrink has 60 catches for 719 yards and three touchdowns plus a punt return for a score, and Ronnie Moore has 51 receptions for 629 yards and five touchdowns.
The Falcons have intercepted 14 passes. Nick Johnson has five and Clint Stephens has four; Stephens has also returned a kickoff for a touchdown.
Season Statistics
- Scoring offense: South Alabama 22.1 points per game; Bowling Green 29.8
- Total offense: South Alabama 372.8 yards per game; Bowling Green 427.8
- Rushing offense: South Alabama 182.6; Bowling Green 176.2
- Passing offense: South Alabama 190.2; Bowling Green 251.5
- Scoring defense: South Alabama 25.8 points allowed per game; Bowling Green 33.9
- Total defense: South Alabama 390.5 yards allowed per game; Bowling Green 499.6
- Rushing defense: South Alabama 190.7; Bowling Green 207.2
- Passing defense: South Alabama 199.8; Bowling Green 292.4
- Third-down conversions: South Alabama 36.8%; Bowling Green 38%
