MOBILE, Ala. — South Alabama football coach Joey Jones said Monday that four empty trips inside the 10-yard line, two big plays allowed on defense and five turnovers decided the Jaguars’ loss at Georgia State, and he turned the team’s attention to Saturday’s home game against Henderson State.
Jones met with the media alongside tight end Paul Bennett and defensive end Alex Page at the weekly Monday press conference.
Looking Back at Georgia State
Jones opened by congratulating Georgia State, which beat South Alabama at the Georgia Dome, and said the Jaguars have become a target for opponents after their success over the past two seasons.
“It seems like now, and I don’t know why, that we are the circled team on a lot of people’s schedules,” Jones said. “Every coach I’ve talked to after the game says that they have circled our name. I guess we’re the new upstart program that has done fairly well.”
He said the game film showed his team played hard and was prepared, but that a handful of plays made the difference.
“There were four times we got inside the 10-yard line and didn’t score and two times we gave up big plays on defense,” Jones said. “If you take those plays out the game is different, but unfortunately you have to count those six plays.”
Turnovers and Quarterback Play
Asked about the drop in offensive production from last season, Jones cited a tougher schedule and turnovers. Quarterback C.J. Bennett was charged with four interceptions against Georgia State, but Jones said only one was the quarterback’s fault. Two came on passes that were tipped by South Alabama receivers, and on the other, a defender hit Bennett’s arm as he threw.
“Turnovers have plagued this team for sure. Especially in some of the bigger games,” Jones said. “When you have five turnovers you’re just not going to win.”
Bennett has thrown 13 interceptions and six touchdown passes this season.
Jones also said the offense has missed the big-play ability of T.J. Glover, who filled that role last season.
Asked whether any personnel changes were coming, Jones said, “We’re looking at some things and some different moves, but of course I’m going to keep that to myself at this point.”
Special Teams Progress
Jones said the special teams units, which he considered a weakness early in the season and especially in the opener, have steadily improved through seven games.
“I think our special teams have improved, they have become a real plus for our program,” he said.
Scouting Henderson State
Jones said Henderson State averages 30 points per game, runs a spread offense and has 16 returning starters from the team South Alabama faced last season, when he said the visitors made a late run.
He said the opposing quarterback, new to the starting role, is 6-foot-2 or 6-3 and more than 200 pounds with a strong arm, but that the offense looks much the same as a year ago.
“They throw a lot of quick passes where you can hardly get to the quarterback,” Jones said. “He takes the snap and gets rid of it in about a second-and-a-half, it’s a lot of short passes and timing patterns.”
Defensively, Jones said Henderson State is less multiple than many opponents South Alabama has faced this season. “This team is more fundamental and just going to play good, well-coached football,” he said.
Jones said the Jaguars want to establish the run but need to throw more on running downs so defenses cannot load the box. He added that the team must play at its best regardless of opponent.
“We need to play at our best level at all times, whether it’s N.C. State or anybody else,” he said.
Players Respond
Paul Bennett said the team will keep working in practice to fix its mistakes.
“We hate to lose. We’ve been brought up here hating to lose,” Bennett said. “Everyone’s expectations are still high. We’re just going to keep practicing how we’ve been practicing, and just work out the kinks.”
Page said the defensive line rotation has been effective and that the team has to move past the loss.
“As a player, you have to put it past you and keep practicing and preparing for the next game no matter how tough the loss was,” Page said. “That’s what we’re going to do this week.”
South Alabama hosts Henderson State on Saturday at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.
