MOBILE, Ala. — South Alabama will play Saturday at Louisiana-Lafayette without two of its top three rushers, as running backs Demetre Baker and Kendall Houston will both miss the game with ankle injuries, head coach Joey Jones said after Thursday’s practice.
Injuries in the Backfield
Baker leads South Alabama’s running backs with 595 rushing yards in nine games. Houston ranks third on the team with 207 rushing yards in 11 games. The two have combined for five of the Jaguars’ nine rushing touchdowns this season.
Terrance Timmons and T.J. Glover are expected to receive most of the carries at running back against the Ragin’ Cajuns. Ellis Hill and Julian Valentin will also see time, and quarterback Trey Fetner will be used in certain situations.
Jones said the injuries will not change the Jaguars’ approach.
“It really doesn’t,” Jones said when asked whether the absences would limit the offense. “We’re going to run our offense. Obviously, in goal-line situations we have some other guys who are going to come in. But other than goal-line and short-yardage, we’re going to run our offense.”
“Certainly, we don’t need to get any more of them hurt,” he added. “We’re down to the few and the proud right now. But we’re not going to change our offense.”
Defensive lineman Will Thompson will also miss the game with an ankle injury.
Wide receiver Jereme Jones, who sustained a concussion in last week’s game against Middle Tennessee, has been cleared to play. Jones holds the school record with receptions in 25 consecutive games and leads the team with 39 catches for 444 yards and six touchdowns.
Final Practice and Thanksgiving
The Jaguars held their final practice before the game, a two-hour session, Thursday morning at the South Alabama practice facility, then gathered for a Thanksgiving lunch.
This is the first season South Alabama has played this late in the year, making it the first time the team and coaching staff have had to schedule practices and activities around Thanksgiving.
“First of all, you wish these young men could go home and be with their families, but obviously we are their extended family and I think there’s a certain love there as family members on this football team,” Jones said. “It’s the second best thing to going home.”
“We’re going to feed them at lunch and treat them like they are at home,” he continued. “Some of the guys will go home today, guys who live close by, will go home to eat and be with their families. They’ll be back tonight and get ready to leave (Friday) to go to Lafayette.”
Simplified Game Plan
Jones said he was pleased with the week of preparation and noted the balance Louisiana-Lafayette has on both offense and defense.
“I think the coaches have done a good job of honing things down. I say simplifying or cutting out some of the excess things we had in the gameplan where the kids could go out there and execute,” Jones said. “I think that’s the best thing that’s happened. I think the kids have studied it and have executed it very well to this point.”
Game Information
South Alabama and Louisiana-Lafayette kick off at 4 p.m. Saturday in Lafayette, La. The game will be streamed on ESPN3 and carried on radio by 105.5 WNSP.
The game is the Jaguars’ final Sun Belt Conference contest of their first season in the league.
