MOBILE, Ala. — South Alabama is getting ready for Saturday’s game against Mississippi State the way it gets ready for any other opponent, head coach Joey Jones said this week.
Jones said the players’ mood in practice has not changed ahead of one of the most anticipated home games in the program’s history.
Mississippi State’s Numbers
Mississippi State’s offense is averaging 48 points and 533 yards per game this season.
The Bulldogs’ defense has given up 92 rushing yards per game. Its secondary allowed three touchdowns of more than 75 yards against UAB last Saturday.
Jaguars Coming Off Opening Win
South Alabama has played one game, a 23-13 win over Kent State in the season opener. The Jaguars struggled late in the first half before scoring a touchdown with just over a minute remaining in the game to seal the result.
Jones said his goal against Mississippi State is the same one he had against Tennessee last season: stay in the game into the fourth quarter and give the Jaguars a chance to win. The coaching staff’s concern is whether South Alabama can hold up physically through the third and fourth quarters against Mississippi State’s size.
Familiar Faces on UAB’s Staff
Several former South Alabama assistants now coach at UAB, which played Mississippi State last week. Bill Clark, the Jaguars’ former defensive coordinator, is UAB’s head coach. Duwan Walker, previously South Alabama’s secondary coach, is UAB’s defensive coordinator. Bryant Vincent, the Jaguars’ former quarterbacks coach, is UAB’s offensive coordinator, and Chuck Dunn coaches linebackers at UAB as he did at South Alabama.
Jones said the staff has talked with different people who offered ideas, but the most useful information comes from game film. He said Mississippi State is good at what it does and South Alabama will need to execute.
Game Details
The Jaguars have one practice remaining, Thursday morning, before the game plan is set. South Alabama and Mississippi State kick off at 3 p.m. Saturday at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. The game will be televised on ESPNews.
