MOBILE, Ala. — South Alabama plans to expand the Wildcat package built around quarterback Trey Fetner, while former defensive back Gabe Loper has moved into the Jaguars’ receiver rotation, as the coaching staff looks for more production on offense.
Fetner Finds a Role
Fetner, a redshirt freshman who did not win the starting quarterback job this season, carried three times for 17 yards out of the Wildcat formation in last weekend’s game at Arkansas State in Jonesboro, Ark.
He also scored South Alabama’s only touchdown against Troy, finishing that game with five carries for 21 yards, including a 3-yard scoring run.
Head coach Joey Jones said the staff wants to get Fetner on the field.
“Trey’s a good football player and if there’s a player on our sideline we think can win for us we’re going to try to get him out there the best we can,” Jones said. “He’s really found his niche there and we’re going to expand that package. We talked about that this weekend. He’s going to be a good asset, especially in short yardage.”
Jones noted that Fetner’s passing ability gives the formation added flexibility. “It’s not like he’s a Wildcat quarterback who can’t throw, so that’s going to create some diversity in our third-down situations,” he said.
Loper Moves to Offense
Loper made the switch from defensive back to receiver during South Alabama’s open week, which gave him extra time to adjust to the position. He made his debut at receiver against Arkansas State and caught an 11-yard pass, his first reception as a Jaguar.
Receivers coach Jerry Mack said Loper first drew the offensive staff’s attention during fall camp, when he made a leaping catch on a Hail Mary pass while playing defense.
“You never know when coaches are watching and we tell guys that all the time,” Mack said. “Back in fall camp Gabe made an extraordinary catch on a Hail Mary. He jumped over everybody and caught it in the back of the end zone. That’s when he first kind of caught all the coaches’ eyes, especially on offense, that hey, this guy may have a skill set that we can use on offense.”
Mack said the staff had been searching for another playmaker as the season went on.
“We were always looking for that spark, always looking for that guy who could be a playmaker on the offensive side of the ball,” Mack said. “We decided last week to work him into the receiver rotation a little bit more and it’s been nothing but good news ever since.”
South Alabama, in its first season of full Sun Belt Conference play, plays its home games at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.
