MOBILE, Ala. — South Alabama football coach Joey Jones said Monday his offense has to become more consistent, while his defense and special teams are playing well enough to win, as the Jaguars prepare to visit Idaho on Saturday.
Jones was joined by linebacker Maleki Harris at the weekly press conference, one week after South Alabama lost 28-6 to Georgia Southern. The Jaguars are 1-2, and Idaho is 0-3.
Moving Past Georgia Southern
“I told the guys yesterday that last week doesn’t mean anything. We have to move forward; that’s the way life is,” Jones said. “We did some really good things and did some bad things, but our kids are playing their tails off. They’re playing with great effort.”
Jones said he met with the offense Sunday to address its problems.
“We have good players and we’re calling good plays; we’re doing a lot of things right,” he said. “We have to get to where everyone on offense is being more consistent, and that’s really all it boils down to. We’re not far off and we’re not going to panic right now, but we certainly have to pay attention to detail and get better.”
He added: “I feel like our defense and special teams are playing well enough to win right now, the offense just needs to pick it up a bit.”
Scouting the Vandals
Jones said Idaho is scoring a lot of points and has improved defensively as the season has progressed.
“Offensively, their quarterback is a very talented player,” he said. “He stands in the pocket and throws the ball. He has a good arm and understands where to go with the ball.”
He said Idaho’s coaches have simplified the defensive scheme after the Vandals allowed points early in the year. “They are much more sound right now,” Jones said. “This conference has a lot of good teams, and we have to be ready for each one.”
Harris on the Defense
Harris said the coaching staff is putting players in position to make plays and that it is up to the players to execute.
“They are giving us a good game plan each week, and they have us prepared for every game,” Harris said.
He said the defense is playing at least as well as it did last season.
“I feel like our secondary is playing better than they were last year. Our linebackers are playing well, and our defensive line is talented and has depth,” Harris said.
Harris said small details have decided the season so far. “The little things are the difference in us being 3-0 and 1-2,” he said.
Game Information
South Alabama plays at Idaho on Saturday in a Sun Belt Conference game. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. CDT. The game will be streamed on ESPN3 and broadcast on 99.9 WMXC.
