MOBILE, Ala. — South Alabama head coach Joey Jones called Saturday’s 36-14 win over Louisiana-Monroe a “do-or-die” game for the Jaguars’ bowl hopes and said this week’s opponent, Georgia State, is a far better team than it was early in the season.
Jones was joined at his weekly press conference by center Matt Calcagnini and linebacker Enrique Williams. South Alabama, 4-6 overall and 2-3 in the Sun Belt Conference, needs to win its final two games to become bowl eligible.
Ending a Three-Game Skid
The win over Louisiana-Monroe, in which South Alabama recorded a school-record nine sacks, snapped a three-game losing streak. Jones said he challenged the players during the week to reveal their character.
“I put it on my coaches, I told them we have to win this ball game because I’m tired of losing a game on the last play and talking about how close we are,” Jones said. He said the team played a fairly complete game on offense, defense and special teams and now has momentum. “There is always hope when you have that,” he said.
A Better Georgia State
Jones said Georgia State is “100 percent better” than it was early in the season, pointing to close games against Troy and Arkansas State. He said the Panthers’ offense is more consistent and scoring more, with an improved quarterback, a better offensive line and receiver Albert Wilson, whom Jones called one of the top three receivers in the league.
Jones said Georgia State has become more deliberate about getting the ball to its playmakers. He said that aside from Louisiana-Lafayette, which he described as a step above the rest of the league, the Sun Belt’s teams are about equal. “Put us in a bag, shake us up, pour us out on the table and we’re all about the same,” he said.
Calcagnini: Season Is Not Over
Calcagnini said the Jaguars cannot take Georgia State lightly and that bowl eligibility remains within reach. He said the team practiced with more fire during the week before the ULM game and carried that energy to the sideline on Saturday.
He noted that Saturday will be Georgia State’s Senior Night and said he expects the Panthers to throw everything they can at South Alabama.
Williams Remembers 2011 Loss
Williams said the energy against Louisiana-Monroe was higher than in previous games and that the team’s preparation finally paid off after several close losses.
He recalled South Alabama’s 2011 overtime loss to Georgia State in Atlanta. “It kind of left us with a chip on our shoulder,” Williams said. “We were expecting to win going in to that game, and we just couldn’t get it done.”
South Alabama and Georgia State kick off at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. The game will be broadcast on WNSP 105.5 FM and streamed on ESPN3.
