MOBILE, Ala. — South Alabama head coach Joey Jones said at his weekly press conference Monday that the Jaguars will need one of their best performances of the season to beat Kent State in Saturday’s homecoming game at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.
The Jaguars come off an open week and host the Golden Flashes at 2 p.m. Saturday. South Alabama lost 33-25 at Kent State in Kent, Ohio, in 2011.
Focus on Themselves
“We know Kent State is a very good football team. But we’re focusing on ourselves like we always have. I believe that’s really important,” Jones said. “We had a great week last week. Last Wednesday’s practice was our best practice of the year. We’re a little ahead on the game plan, we just have to continue to perfect it.”
Scouting the Golden Flashes
Jones singled out Kent State defensive lineman Roosevelt Nix and running back Dri Archer.
“Everyone knows about Roosevelt Nix. He is a great player,” Jones said. “Dri Archer is an extremely fast guy. When he has the ball in his hands, you just kind of hold your breath, he is a good player. They have a lot of good players. Their offensive linemen are big, physical guys, as are the defensive linemen. They are just well-coached and know how to play the game. We are going to have to play a really good game to beat these guys.”
Kent State played in the GoDaddy.com Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium last season, and Jones said that familiarity could help the visitors.
“I think it could help them, the fact that they have been here,” he said. “It’s like any game, once you get between the lines it is a football game. But I think having played down here in the GoDaddy.com Bowl could help them.”
Where the Jaguars Have Improved
Jones said South Alabama has become more consistent on offense since the start of the season.
“Our quarterbacks are playing extremely well, the offensive line is better and we’re getting better play at receiver and running back,” Jones said. “We’re just better overall, and have improved from a consistency standpoint. Our challenge is to play for four quarters.”
On defense, he credited the team’s veteran players and its adjustment to the system of first-year defensive coordinator Kevin Sherrer.
“Defensively, our guys have a lot of confidence. We have a lot of seniors who understand what it takes. We’re playing real physical against the run,” Jones said. “As we have progressed, we have gotten a better understanding of Coach Sherrer’s system.”
Jones said the kicking game remains a concern. “The kicking game has been up and down,” he said. “Overall, we’re doing some good things, but we don’t have the consistency right now in the kicking game that we need to win big ballgames. That’s something we’re working on right now.”
Players Weigh In
Senior wide receiver Bryant Lavender, who faced Kent State in 2011, said Nix remains as explosive as he was then.
“He has a quick first step and he’s a great player,” Lavender said. “He’s the type of player that when he’s in the game, his motor’s always running.”
Lavender said the team’s confidence is high. “Morale and confidence are high, because we know that we have the opportunity to win the game,” he said. “We know we are a good football team. We know that we are able to be in the game. It’s just about making the play that can get us the ‘W’.”
Defensive lineman Jesse Kelley said the open week gave players a chance to rest and visit family.
“Having a bye week is also good because we have an opportunity to go home and see loved ones you haven’t seen throughout the busy football season,” Kelley said. “You’re also able to relax and take your mind off football and watch other football.”
“We’re just taking it week-by-week and not looking over anyone,” he said. “Our opponent this week is Kent State and we’re going to do whatever it takes to get the win versus Kent State.”
Game Information
South Alabama and Kent State kick off at 2 p.m. Saturday at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. The Jaguars are in their first season as a full member of the Sun Belt Conference and the Football Bowl Subdivision.
