MOBILE, Ala. — South Alabama head coach Joey Jones said Tuesday at the Jaguars’ annual football media day that Brandon Bridge is the team’s starting quarterback and that the program’s top priority entering 2014 is learning to close out close games.
Jones, offensive coordinator Robert Matthews and defensive coordinator Travis Pearson spoke to reporters at the Jaguar Football Fieldhouse, along with defensive back Terrell Brigham, defensive lineman Jesse Kelley, wide receiver Jake Howton and offensive lineman Ucambre Williams.
Jones: A Demanding Schedule
Jones said the team has brought energy to the first week of preseason practice and is aware of the challenges on its schedule. In addition to its Sun Belt Conference slate, South Alabama faces Mississippi State, South Carolina, Navy and Kent State.
“Our guys want to play the best,” Jones said. “They want to play SEC schools, they want to play ACC schools, they enjoy playing in those venues.”
Jones noted that South Alabama has played N.C. State twice and Mississippi State on the road, and that the Jaguars played a Football Bowl Subdivision schedule two years ago before becoming a full FBS member. He said some publications consider the Jaguars’ 2014 schedule the toughest in the Sun Belt, but that the team’s focus is on its own improvement.
“We raise our expectations every year,” Jones said. “Last year was our first year in Division I and we fared fairly well, but we want to do better.”
Players to Watch
Jones said he believes a football team is built on the line of scrimmage. He named defensive linemen Jesse Kelley and Jerome McClain as the anchors of the interior of the defensive front and singled out defensive end Theo Rich for his development.
On offense, Jones pointed to tackles Chris May and Ucambre Williams, both preseason all-conference selections, and said offensive lineman Melvin Meggs has had a strong summer after returning to the lineup.
At receiver, Jones listed Marvin Shinn, Danny Woodson II, Shavarez Smith, Wes Saxton and Jeremé Jones among a deep group. He said the offense has more depth at receiver and on the line than in previous seasons.
Bridge Is the Starter; Backup Still Open
With Ross Metheny having graduated after last season, Jones said Bridge is the clear starter. “Right now Brandon is the starting quarterback, that’s pretty much a slam dunk,” Jones said.
The No. 2 quarterback job remains undecided among three players. Jones said the staff will begin trimming repetitions for one of the candidates after Saturday’s scrimmage and expects to settle on a backup about a week after that. He said splitting reps among three backups has made evaluation difficult.
Defense Improving, Depth Still a Question
Jones said the defense had one of its best goal-line practices of his tenure on Tuesday, holding the offense out of the end zone on close to 20 plays. He credited Pearson’s emphasis on effort and simplified schemes.
Jones said the secondary has depth but that finding more depth on the defensive front is his biggest concern, with injuries expected during the season.
Emphasis on Finishing
Jones said the difference between South Alabama’s 2013 record and a better one came in the fourth quarter. The Jaguars led three games last season with about a minute remaining and lost all three.
“We have to find ways to make those plays at the end of games,” Jones said. “We’re working on finishing every practice and every play.”
He said improved depth will help a team that was thin and tired late in games last season, but that finishing is also a matter of mentality.
Matthews on the Offense
Matthews said the first week of camp went well, with added depth at wide receiver, running back and on the offensive line creating competition in practice.
“We expect to win every game we play, but it’s a process,” Matthews said.
He said tight end Wes Saxton returns with a chance at a strong season and that the offense has receivers who can make plays on the perimeter. Matthews said that as camp progresses, backups must be ready to step in when starters are banged up.
Matthews said Bridge has improved since last season because of game experience, spring practice repetitions and work in the film room. “I think the game is slower for him,” Matthews said. “He understands the concepts and coverages better, and he has a lot more confidence in himself.”
Pearson on the Defense
Pearson said the defense must replace several key players up front, including Romelle Jones, Montavious Williams, Alex Page, Clifton Crews and Pat Moore. He pointed to returners Kelley, who started every game last season, and McClain, who played in every game.
Asked about the identity he wants for his unit, Pearson said: “Fast and relentless.”
Pearson said his goals include improvement in the red zone and on the goal line. He cited last season’s losses to Texas State, Troy, Arkansas State and Southern Utah, games in which the Jaguars held leads, as lessons for his players about finishing.
“You are in total control of the feeling we have when we walk off that field,” Pearson said. “I think those four losses really helped us.”
Players’ Perspectives
Williams said depth on the offensive line has improved each year, allowing substitutions during games. He said the team is focused on its opener at Kent State before turning to Mississippi State, the Jaguars’ home opener. Williams also pointed to South Alabama’s three-game winning streak to end last season, which included a 30-8 win over conference co-champion Louisiana-Lafayette. “It showed us that we can be number one in this conference,” he said.
Howton said the offense returns three senior starters on the line, a deep receiving group, experienced running backs and Bridge at quarterback. “We finished strong last year,” Howton said.
Kelley said his personal goals are to win a championship and a bowl game. He said the defensive line has gone through growing pains after losing several seniors, but that the newcomers brought in by defensive line coach Brian Turner are maturing daily. “By September 6 when we play Kent State, I believe we will be ready to go,” Kelley said.
Brigham said the secondary returns three seniors and a sophomore who played last season, and that experience has allowed veterans to teach younger players. He said the team’s goals are a conference championship and a bowl game.
Up Next
South Alabama will hold an open scrimmage Saturday at 9 a.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal School. The Jaguars open the 2014 season Saturday, Sept. 6, at Kent State in Kent, Ohio.
