MOBILE, Ala. — Three games into the 2013 season, South Alabama ranks in the top half of the Sun Belt Conference in several statistical categories, led by a defense that is third in the league in yards allowed and second against the run.
The Jaguars wrapped up the practice portion of their open week on Wednesday before players received three days off. South Alabama, which has won back-to-back games against Tulane and Western Kentucky, plays at Tennessee on Sept. 28 at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn.
Defensive Rankings
South Alabama is third in the Sun Belt in total defense, allowing 372.0 yards per game. Only Texas State (313.5 yards per game through two games) and Louisiana-Monroe (330.3) rank ahead of the Jaguars. Troy (377.7), Western Kentucky (405.0), Arkansas State (418.3), Louisiana-Lafayette (427.0) and Georgia State (470.3) follow.
Against the run, the Jaguars rank second at 108.0 yards allowed per game, trailing only Texas State (34.0 through two games). Troy is third at 116.7.
South Alabama is sixth in pass defense at 264.0 yards allowed per game. Louisiana-Monroe leads the league at 192.3.
In scoring defense, the Jaguars are fifth, allowing 28.3 points per game. Texas State (9.0 through two games), Louisiana-Monroe (21.0), Troy (25.0) and Arkansas State (27.7) rank ahead of them.
South Alabama is tied for the conference lead with four interceptions and is tied for second with eight sacks, one behind Troy’s nine.
Offensive Rankings
The Jaguars are averaging 31 points per game, fourth in the league behind Troy (44.7), Louisiana-Lafayette (37.9) and Arkansas State (37.3).
South Alabama ranks fifth in total offense at 404.7 yards per game. Troy (547.3), Arkansas State (544.3), Western Kentucky (435.7) and Louisiana-Lafayette (421.3) are ahead of the Jaguars, while Louisiana-Monroe (387.0), Georgia State (328.7) and Texas State (307.5) trail.
The Jaguars are sixth in rushing offense at 166.3 yards per game. Arkansas State leads the conference at 295.7. South Alabama is fifth in passing offense at 238.3 yards per game; Troy leads at 367.7.
Special Teams
South Alabama ranks second in the Sun Belt in kickoff returns, averaging 27.4 yards per return, behind Louisiana-Monroe. The Jaguars are third in punt returns at 6.8 yards per return.
South Alabama is also second in punting with a 37.1-yard average. Troy leads at 40.7 yards per punt.
Open Week Focus on Fundamentals
Practices during the open week have emphasized fundamentals, including special teams work and tackling on defense, while the coaching staff also began installing parts of the game plan for Tennessee. The break also gives coaches time to go on the road recruiting.
Head coach Joey Jones said Wednesday’s practice lacked some energy and rated it as above average. Jones has said most of the team’s problems this season have come from breakdowns in fundamentals such as tackling.
Jones told AL.com he expects his players to return focused when practice resumes Sunday.
“They better come back ready to go because (we’ve got) Tennessee coming up and Troy and on down the line,” Jones said. “We’ve got a bunch of good teams to play so we better be ready. And I think they will.”
