MOBILE, Ala. — South Alabama head coach Joey Jones said Monday he was pleased with the Jaguars’ effort in Saturday’s 31-24 loss at Tennessee, pointing to a second-half rally that gave his team a chance to win, as South Alabama turns its attention to a Sun Belt Conference game at Troy.
Jones was joined at his weekly press conference by quarterback Ross Metheny and defensive back Terrell Brigham.
Rally in Knoxville
Jones said Tennessee started fast and kept South Alabama’s defense on its heels early. The Jaguars answered with a long scoring drive on their opening possession but stalled afterward, trailing 24-7 at halftime. Tennessee scored again to start the second half and went ahead 31-7.
“I thought we played really well from that point forward,” Jones said. “One thing about our players and staff is that we’re not going to quit at any time. Our kids believe they can win.”
South Alabama scored the game’s final 17 points and was in position to win late, Jones said.
Jones said the comeback showed the team what it is capable of. “If you come with the right frame of mind and you approach the game with a winner’s attitude, we feel like we can play with anybody,” he said. He added that the experience of competing in close games late will help the Jaguars going forward.
Focus on Troy and Conference Goals
Jones said the team’s approach this season has been to concentrate on its own execution rather than its opponent, and that the offense, defense and special teams are working together. He said the Troy game is important to South Alabama’s goals of reaching a bowl game and winning a conference championship.
Asked where South Alabama stands in the Sun Belt, Jones said the team is improved because of daily preparation by players and staff. He said he challenged the team to keep turning weaknesses into strengths over the next several weeks so it can contend late in the season.
Metheny: ‘Stand Up and Fight’
Metheny said Jones challenged the team at halftime in Knoxville and the players responded by executing better in the second half. He said South Alabama took advantage of good field position created by turnovers.
“We went out and put blinders on and didn’t worry about the crowd or the Orange or Rocky Top,” Metheny said. He said every game this season has come down to all 60 minutes.
A Developing In-State Rivalry
Metheny called Troy a solid team in all three phases and described the series between the schools as a new rivalry that is good for the state of Alabama and for both programs.
“We know Troy is one of those teams that are usually at the top of the Sun Belt,” Metheny said. “We want to be where Troy is, and in order to do that, we need to take that next step.”
Brigham on Defense
Brigham said the opening-drive touchdown at Tennessee showed the offense was not intimidated, and noted the defense allowed seven points in the second half. He said Troy’s offense likes to throw the ball and has capable receivers and many returning starters.
South Alabama plays at Troy on Saturday, Oct. 5, with kickoff set for noon. The game will be televised by the Sun Belt Network on CSS and streamed on ESPN3.
