FAIRHOPE, Ala. — South Alabama football held its second scrimmage of preseason camp Saturday at Fairhope Municipal Stadium, with quarterback Brandon Bridge throwing two touchdown passes as the Jaguars continued preparing for their Sept. 6 season opener at Kent State.
After the first scrimmage a week earlier, head coach Joey Jones said there were many areas that needed improvement. He said he saw progress Saturday, particularly in substitutions and organization, and that the team was getting close to game-ready in those areas.
Jones: ‘They Treated It Like a Game’
“I think the thing we challenged them with yesterday coming out here today was to be mentally ready and I think they were,” Jones said. “I told them when they were warming up I could tell that their minds were on the task at hand and they treated it like a game. You’ve got to be ready to play.”
The Jaguars spent much of the scrimmage on situational work, including two-minute drills, goal-line plays and special teams. Several series were interrupted to send the field goal or punt unit onto the field to simulate game conditions.
The offense emphasized substitutions, particularly the rotation of offensive linemen. The defense allowed fewer big plays than it did in the first scrimmage.
Offensive Statistics
Bridge completed 15 of 21 passes for 177 yards and two touchdowns, a 2-yard throw to Braedon Bowman and a 20-yard score to Shavarez Smith. Hunter Vaughn was 2 of 5 for 47 yards, and Matt Floyd was 1 of 7 for 8 yards.
Jay Jones led the running backs with 73 yards and two touchdowns on three carries, scoring from 48 yards and from 17 yards during red-zone work. Terrance Timmons ran six times for 36 yards, Kendall Houston had four carries for 15 yards and Montavious Stewart had seven carries for 12 yards.
- Shavarez Smith: 2 catches, 36 yards, 1 TD
- Cameron Broadnax: 2 catches, 36 yards
- Jereme Jones: 3 catches, 32 yards
- Marvin Shinn: 2 catches, 31 yards
- Claude Garrett: 2 catches, 25 yards
Defense and Special Teams
Antonio Carter led the defense with five stops. Tre Alford, Akeen Lewis, Jerome McClain, Jeremy Reaves and Ridge James each recorded a sack, and Terrell Brigham had an interception. Alford, T’Quan Robinson, Demarius Rancifer and Roman Buchanan each added three stops.
Aleem Sunanon made 5 of 6 field goal attempts with a long of 47 yards, and Grant McLaurin was 3 for 3 with a long of 50. Freshman Corlis Waitman closed the scrimmage by making his only attempt, a 55-yard field goal.
Waitman also punted once for 37 yards, and Brandon McKee had one punt for 46 yards.
Depth Chart and Travel Roster Next
Jones and his staff will review film to set a depth chart and travel roster for the opener, decisions that will determine which players receive most of the practice repetitions over the next two weeks. Jones said preparation specifically for Kent State will begin Tuesday.
With a 70-player travel limit, Jones said players must earn a spot as a starter, a backup or a special teams contributor, and some capable players will stay home.
“You have to fight for what you get,” Jones said.
