MOBILE, Ala. — The South Alabama football team closed its second and final scrimmage of preseason camp Saturday at Ladd-Peebles Stadium, with the offense producing 470 yards of total offense under overcast skies and late rain. The South Alabama football scrimmage was among the final major evaluation opportunities before the Jaguars open the 2013 season against Southern Utah on Thursday, Aug. 29.
Quarterbacks Share the Work
Ross Metheny completed 12 of 15 passes for 125 yards and also opened the scoring on the ground, running 19 yards down the right sideline for a touchdown to finish a seven-play, 75-yard drive. The score came two plays after Metheny connected with Cris Dinham on a 31-yard completion.
Brandon Bridge completed six passes for 101 yards, including a 45-yard touchdown pass to Danny Woodson Jr. Trey Fetner was 7-of-8 passing for 40 yards. As a group, South Alabama quarterbacks completed 26 of 40 attempts for 289 yards.
Fetner was the only quarterback to lead the offense on a productive possession during two-minute drills conducted late in the session as rain fell.
Receivers and Running Backs
Woodson led all receivers with 68 yards on three receptions. Dinham caught four passes for 63 yards, and Bryant Lavender made three catches. Shavarez Smith and Caleb Alves were among four players with two receptions apiece.
The Jaguars rushed for 181 yards. Julien Valentin led the ground game with 47 yards on 10 carries and scored the final points of the scrimmage on a six-yard run during red-zone work. Terrance Timmons added 37 yards on seven carries, Kendall Houston gained 27 yards on five attempts and Kaleb Blanchard contributed 26 yards.
Head coach Joey Jones singled out Valentin’s performance. “He (Julien Valentin) came in there and showed me that he can be an every-down back,” Jones said. “And Danny made a couple of big plays, not that that was surprising.”
Kickers Convert Five Field Goals
The special teams units made five field goals. Aleem Sunanon was successful from 32, 34 and 31 yards, and Logan Gunn converted from 29 and 37 yards.
Defensive Highlights
Terrell Brigham and Devon Earl each intercepted a pass. Earl’s interception came after Bryson James deflected the throw. Pat Moore led the defense with six tackles, four of them unassisted. Desmond LaVelle recorded five tackles, while James, Anthony Harris and DeMarion Harper each had four. Harper was credited with 2.5 tackles for loss.
Jones said eight players, including some projected defensive starters, were either limited or did not participate. He explained that those held out were veteran four-year starters the staff did not need to evaluate, and that the coaches wanted a longer look at younger players.
Next Steps Before the Opener
Monday marks the first day of fall semester classes on campus, so the Jaguars are scheduled to return to the practice field Tuesday. In the meantime, the coaching staff is reviewing scrimmage film and meeting to settle the starting lineup, depth chart and travel roster.
South Alabama, a member of the Sun Belt Conference, opens its season against Southern Utah on Thursday, Aug. 29, at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.
