MOBILE, Ala. — South Alabama football coach Joey Jones said Monday that Georgia State is the most improved team in the Sun Belt Conference, as the Jaguars return from an open week to host the Panthers in Saturday’s homecoming game at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.
Jones was joined by defensive lineman Ridge James and offensive lineman Ucambre Williams at the weekly press conference. South Alabama won its two games before the open date.
Refreshed After the Open Week
Jones said the Jaguars held three good practices last week, split between fundamentals and Georgia State preparation.
“Our guys came back last night and you could tell they were refreshed and ready to go,” Jones said. “We’ll find out when we put on the pads tomorrow.”
He said the recent wins built confidence but that there is still room to grow. “There is so much room to improve, I know all coaches say that, but I mean it,” he said.
Progress on Each Unit
Jones said the defense has played well all season and has grown in leadership and cohesion.
“Defense is the ultimate team effort. Everybody has to fly to the ball and play the same way, and they have bought into that,” he said.
On offense, Jones said the issue has been getting all 11 players executing together. On special teams, he said the Jaguars struggled with field goals in their last game and will hold a competition between two kickers this week.
“One of our goals is to be great at special teams and we haven’t lived up to par in some facets like we can,” Jones said.
Scouting Georgia State
Jones praised Panthers coach Trent Miles.
“I admire Trent Miles, he’s a great man and has done a great job,” Jones said. “They are the most improved team in our league by far.”
He said Georgia State is converting 46 percent of its third downs after struggling on third-and-long a year ago. Defensively, he said the Panthers play a bend-but-don’t-break style and blitz less than other opponents, but are sound.
Homecoming Week
Jones said he is not concerned about homecoming distractions and looks forward to seeing alumni and former players.
“I’m excited to see our former players come back, guys who started this program and helped build this thing,” he said. “It means a lot to our players now and to our staff.”
Linemen Ready to Return
Williams said the open week helped the team recover from injuries.
“We played very well the last two games, but we want to play well at home. We want to show our fans at home how we can play,” Williams said.
He said Georgia State’s defensive ends are big and athletic. “We really have to hone in on technique, because we’re not a big offensive line,” Williams said.
James said the defense is enjoying its success. “We’re just flying around and having a lot of fun on defense,” he said. He credited assistant coach Freddie Roach with helping him play with more physicality and toughness.
Game Information
Saturday’s game is the fourth meeting between the programs and the second in Mobile. South Alabama leads the series 2-1. Kickoff at Ladd-Peebles Stadium is set for 6:30 p.m.
Update: Statistical Matchup and Series History
South Alabama began the season 1-2 before road wins at Idaho and Appalachian State. Following Saturday’s homecoming game, the Jaguars close the regular season with seven consecutive games, the first five against Sun Belt opponents. Georgia State and next opponent Troy, which South Alabama visits on Friday, Oct. 24, have a combined record of 2-10.
Georgia State opened with a last-second win over FCS Abilene Christian and has lost five straight. The Panthers rank last in the Sun Belt in most defensive categories, including scoring defense and total defense. Offensively, they are second in the league in passing at 301.8 yards per game but ninth in rushing at 118.3. Georgia State has been outscored by an average of 41.7-27.0.
South Alabama’s defense ranks second in the Sun Belt in pass defense (190.8 yards per game), third in total defense (374.8) and third in scoring defense (21.4 points per game). The Jaguars’ offense remains in the bottom half of the 11-team conference in most categories, with its best ranking sixth in rushing. South Alabama scored nine combined points in losses to Mississippi State and Georgia Southern.
Georgia State began playing football one year after South Alabama started its program, under founding coach Bill Curry, and the schools split an early home-and-home series before the Panthers moved up to the FBS and joined the Sun Belt. After a 1-10 season in 2012, Curry’s final year, Georgia State hired former Indiana State coach Trent Miles. The Panthers are 2-27 since 2012. In last season’s meeting in Atlanta, a 38-17 South Alabama win, Shavarez Smith caught 10 passes for 194 yards and a touchdown.
