MOBILE, Ala. — South Alabama went through the final two-a-day session of fall camp Thursday, and head coach Joey Jones said he was not satisfied with the effort heading into the Jaguars’ last preseason scrimmage Friday morning.
The team had skipped the practice field Wednesday to visit Camp Grace for off-the-field team-building exercises.
A Different Look at Practice
Thursday’s workout differed from earlier camp practices. Players wore shells only, and the session did not include the usual team segments. In place of situational drills, the offense and defense each worked against scout teams.
Jones called the morning practice average.
“I thought it was average, and not the way we want to practice in order to be a great football team. You practice average, you play average,” Jones said. “It was hot, and we can make every excuse in the world, but that’s the way it was. It wasn’t a terrible practice, but the bottom line is they can pick it up more than that.”
Jones said the players may have treated it as an off day because of the upcoming scrimmage, and he took some of the responsibility. “I probably didn’t do a very good job of getting them ready,” he said.
Goals for Final Scrimmage
Friday’s scrimmage will focus on specific game situations and every phase of special teams. The defense will be allowed to hit, but there will be no tackling.
Jones said he wants to see game-like organization on the sideline and sharp execution on the field.
“They have to know their assignments and their alignments, they have to have great technique,” Jones said. “Football is all about execution, most teams beat themselves. If we can concentrate on our deal individually, then we will be great as a football team.”
With the opener 13 days away, the coaching staff will begin setting the depth chart and giving the first-team players the majority of snaps.
“We’ll evaluate players over the weekend and decide who we will go into the first game with,” Jones said. He added that time away would benefit the players after they had spent about 10 hours a day with the staff for the last 11 or 12 days. “I think they need to get away from us and clear their heads a little bit,” he said.
Fetner Earns Scholarship
Quarterback Trey Fetner, a preferred walk-on, has been placed on scholarship after his performance in preseason camp.
Fetner, listed at 6-foot-1 and 204 pounds, comes from Woodland High School in Woodland, Ala. As a junior, he threw for 1,611 yards and 13 touchdowns and rushed for 612 yards and eight touchdowns. He also made 11 starts at safety, averaging 8.4 tackles per game.
Fetner had an offer from West Alabama but did not receive offers from FBS programs. South Alabama invited him to join the team as a preferred walk-on, and when a scholarship became available, the staff awarded it to him. The Jaguars plan to redshirt Fetner this season.
Season Opener Ahead
Friday’s scrimmage marks the final day of preseason camp. The team will not practice again until Monday morning, the first day of fall semester classes, when preparations begin for the season opener against West Alabama on Thursday, Sept. 1, at 6:30 p.m.
