MOBILE, Ala. — South Alabama head coach Joey Jones said Monday he was pleased with the Jaguars’ performance in Saturday’s seven-point loss at Arkansas State, especially an offense that produced its most consistent game of the season, as the team prepares to host Florida Atlantic for homecoming.
Jones was joined at the weekly press conference by quarterback Ross Metheny and defensive lineman Randon Carnathan.
Offense Finds Its Footing
Jones said the offense was more consistent, converted third downs, committed only one turnover and finished drives in the end zone. “I kept waiting for us to break out and have a good game, which we did the other night,” he said.
He said the defense played well apart from penalties, which he called an area that must be corrected. On special teams, Jones noted that kicker Michel Chapuseaux was named the Sun Belt Conference’s special teams player of the week after making three field goals, and that the Jaguars also blocked a punt and produced strong kickoff returns.
One Quarterback, More Reps
South Alabama used a two-quarterback system in its first five games before going with Metheny against Arkansas State. Jones said having one quarterback means more practice repetitions, and that Metheny showed leadership and avoided forcing throws.
“When things weren’t open downfield he dropped it off to a running back or he pulled it down and ran for a first down,” Jones said. “Those kind of decisions sustain drives.”
Metheny called the game the offense’s best of the season. He said scoring a touchdown on the opening drive, something the Jaguars had not done since the season opener, gave the team confidence, and that the offense was prepared once the game turned into a shootout.
A Team That Is Climbing
Asked whether the losses are frustrating his players, Jones said the team, accustomed to winning over the program’s first three seasons, was frustrated early in the year after difficult games against N.C. State and Mississippi State. He said the players now understand that South Alabama is a team that is climbing.
“This is a great lesson for them, life isn’t always going to be perfect,” Jones said. He said people outside the program had predicted a lopsided loss at Arkansas State, but the Jaguars were in position to win in the fourth quarter.
Scouting Florida Atlantic
Jones described FAU as a physical team, noting that the Owls held their own on film against Alabama and Georgia. He said FAU’s front seven is physical, the team has strong athletes and a fifth-year senior quarterback, and the program knows how to win after capturing a Sun Belt title in the past.
Metheny said FAU’s defense relies heavily on man coverage, with good athletes in the secondary, linebackers who run well and explosive defensive ends in the pass rush.
Carnathan Wants Fewer Penalties
Carnathan said the defense played well but not well enough, citing costly penalties and mental mistakes. “We have to stop shooting ourselves in the foot,” he said. “There’s no quit on either side of the ball. We just have to put it all together and get a ‘W.'”
South Alabama’s homecoming game against Florida Atlantic kicks off Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.
