MOBILE, Ala. — South Alabama football coach Joey Jones and offensive coordinator Robert Matthews reviewed the Jaguars’ season-opening loss to Southern Utah and previewed Saturday’s game at Tulane during Tuesday’s Joey Jones Show.
The weekly radio program, hosted by Lee Shirvanian, airs from Baumhower’s Restaurant on Airport Boulevard in Mobile.
Breaking Down the Southern Utah Loss
The Fake Punt
Jones addressed a fake punt by Southern Utah that went for a first down. He said the Jaguars had practiced against the same play during the week, with five players assigned to watch the punter, but none of them carried out the assignment.
Offensive Performance
Matthews, who also coaches the offensive line, said the line opened decent running lanes and protected the quarterback reasonably well. He said the unit was not perfect but called the game encouraging because the mistakes were correctable.
Echoing Jones, Matthews said the offense played well at times but needs to score more points, capitalize on opportunities and produce more big plays. He noted that South Alabama led by eight points in the fourth quarter and had the ball late, putting the outcome in the offense’s hands if it could pick up a few first downs.
Late Pass Play and Replay
Shirvanian asked about a late Southern Utah pass play from near midfield that set up a score, which some fans believed was illegal. Jones said the play was legal: Southern Utah sent a player onto the field from the sideline late, after the formation was set, and the defense did not account for him, leaving a receiver wide open. Jones said he did not know whether it was designed that way and noted that the play would not have been reviewable even if it had been illegal.
A caller asked about an E.J. May interception that was ruled an incompletion. Jones said the replay board showed the ball came loose, so the call was correct and the Jaguars did not challenge it.
Quarterbacks and Personnel
Responding to a listener’s question about the quarterback rotation, both Jones and Matthews said the Jaguars are better at the position than last season. They said Ross Metheny has improved and Brandon Bridge is progressing in the offense. Jones repeated his long-held position that if the team has impact players, the staff will find ways to get them on the field to give the Jaguars the best chance to win.
Asked about a power formation with two tight ends, Jones said the Jaguars have that package but do not have many big tight ends.
Jones said redshirt freshman Aleem Sunanon is a good kicker who needs to get into games and make a few kicks to build confidence. South Alabama relied on fifth-year seniors at placekicker in each of the previous two seasons.
Jones also said receiver Dejon Funderburk will redshirt this season, indicating the decision came from the NCAA rather than the coaching staff. He said Funderburk and transfer Marvin Shinn may give South Alabama the best scout team receiver group in the nation.
Preparing for Tulane in the Superdome
Jones said Tulane returns a good running back and a very good receiver who may be among the best the Jaguars face this season.
Shirvanian noted that this is Tulane’s final season playing in the Superdome before moving into its own stadium. Jones said playing in a dome mainly affects punt returners by disrupting depth perception, while kickoff returns are less affected because of the contrast behind the ball.
Asked about the importance of the Tulane game after the opening loss, Jones said every game is important and that South Alabama will not be a heavy favorite in any game. He said he wants a team that improves each week and plays hard-nosed football, and that if it does, it can win games.
Around the Sun Belt and Beyond
Shirvanian reviewed the Sun Belt Conference’s opening weekend, which included Texas State’s win at Southern Miss in Hattiesburg and Western Kentucky’s victory over Kentucky, while Louisiana-Lafayette and Louisiana-Monroe both lost. He pointed to Western Kentucky’s game at Tennessee this weekend, noting that South Alabama faces the Hilltoppers in a few weeks.
Asked about Arkansas State’s game at Auburn, where Gus Malzahn now coaches after leading Arkansas State last season, Matthews said several Arkansas State assistants who worked under Malzahn remain and know his schemes, while Malzahn will be very familiar with the personnel he faces.
A caller asked about West Florida’s interest in adding football below the Division I level. Jones said it would be good for UWF and that he hopes the program does not move to Division I and draw players who might otherwise attend South Alabama.
