MOBILE, Ala. — South Alabama head coach Joey Jones said Monday that Saturday’s 33-31 loss at Texas State was decided by more than the Bobcats’ late fourth-and-24 conversion, pointing to his team’s slow start as the Jaguars prepare to host two-time defending Sun Belt Conference champion Arkansas State.
Jones was joined at his weekly press conference by defensive lineman Montavious Williams and offensive lineman Ucambre Williams. South Alabama is 3-4.
‘A Lot More Than That One Play’
Jones said the Jaguars played well late, taking over in the fourth quarter as Texas State committed penalties and South Alabama threw two touchdown passes. But he said the problems began early.
“There was a lot more than just that fourth-and-24 play,” Jones said. “We don’t need for it to come to a point late in the game where we have to make every play to win.”
Texas State converted on fourth-and-24 and kicked the winning field goal with four seconds left. Jones said the team must mature and make plays at the end of games, because several this season have come down to the final moments. “If we make two or three plays this year everybody’s happy,” he said.
“All I know to do is fight,” Jones added. “That’s just the way I am, and that’s the way our players are too.” He said South Alabama is a much better team than a year ago, but that wins and losses are what matter.
Arkansas State’s Talent
Jones said Arkansas State may have the most talented skill-position group he has seen on film this season, with strong receivers, productive running backs and a quarterback who transferred from Utah State. He said the Red Wolves lead the league in offense, are solid on defense with several senior linemen and, having won the last two Sun Belt titles, understand how to win.
Jones said playing a full Sun Belt schedule last season has helped the Jaguars understand their opponents and the environments they play in.
Montavious Williams: ‘I Feel Like We Failed Them’
Montavious Williams, a senior, said he had heard that South Alabama’s losses this season have come by a combined 11 points. He said the defense was on the field at the end at Texas State after the offense gave it a chance to win. “I feel like we failed them,” he said.
Williams said the team feels pressure to reward fans who have supported the program for the last several years, and hopes to reach a bowl game. He said tackling is the key against Arkansas State, noting that coaches counted 14 missed tackles at Texas State compared with five to seven in a typical win.
Ucambre Williams Promises Strong Finish
Ucambre Williams said the team must move on quickly. “It’s like being on the top of the world and then someone comes and knocks you down, but we just have to move on from it,” he said. “We’re going to finish the season strong, I promise you.”
He said the Jaguars started slowly at Texas State and tend to become lackadaisical with a lead, and that the offense must start and finish strong. He noted that three of the top teams in the conference remain on the schedule in the final five games and that playing at home is an advantage.
South Alabama and Arkansas State kick off at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.
