MOBILE, Ala. — South Alabama held a two-hour practice in shells Thursday, two weeks to the day before the Jaguars open the 2012 season against Texas-San Antonio at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.
The workout included sessions on inside running plays, team blitz and blitz pickup, and closed with two-minute drills. The Jaguars will hold a preseason scrimmage Saturday morning.
Blitz Period and 11-on-11 Work
During the blitz session, quarterback C.J. Bennett completed passes to Kendall Houston, Corey Besteda and Terrance Timmons. Ross Metheny connected with Besteda, Cameron Broadnax and Houston. Drew Dearman stood out in pass protection.
In an 11-on-11 period, Bennett threw a touchdown pass to T.J. Glover, and Metheny hit Bryant Lavender for a long gain. The defense came up with several interceptions in the period, with Charles Watson, B.J. Scott, E.J. May and Ben Giles each picking off a pass.
On defense, Tyrell Pearson drove through a block by Rush Hendricks to make a tackle.
Two-Minute Drill
In the two-minute drill, running back Demetre Baker broke a long run, and Bennett completed two deep passes to Lavender. The first-team offense stalled, however, and a 50-yard field goal attempt was no good.
The defense closed the drill with consecutive interceptions by May and Terrell Brigham.
Jones: ‘It Was a Good Day’
Head coach Joey Jones said the staff scaled back the intensity as the players began to show the effects of camp.
“It was a good day. We tried to back off a little bit and practice at about 90 percent where we’re getting to the football, and I thought we did that,” Jones said. “They’re starting to get a little tired, so we have to be smart about what we’re doing.”
Jones said the team had a special teams period planned before the weekend scrimmage. “We have a great special teams period lined up for tomorrow, and then we’ll bring them back Saturday for the scrimmage,” he said. “I’m really looking forward to see how well we do when we start putting it all together and look at how everyone concentrates during a game-type situation.”
Scrimmage Details
Saturday’s scrimmage is scheduled for 8 a.m. at Ladd-Peebles Stadium and is closed to the public.
South Alabama is preparing for its first season of Sun Belt Conference football and its first as a full member of the Football Bowl Subdivision. The Jaguars, who began playing football in 2009 under Jones, open the season Aug. 30 against UTSA at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.
