MOBILE, Ala. — South Alabama head coach Joey Jones said he was pleased with Monday’s practice as the Jaguars began preparing for Saturday’s home game against Troy, the first Sun Belt Conference game in program history.
Game Plan Installed
Jones said the team practiced for about an hour Monday, working on special teams and installing the game plan for the Trojans.
Jones said the significance of the matchup is not lost on his program.
“We understand it’s a special game,” he said. “The tradition that Troy has and what they’ve done in the Sun Belt is truly tremendous. When you think of the Sun Belt you think of Troy. I think having them come to our field and us getting into the Sun Belt Conference is something that we’ve looked forward to, playing great programs like that.”
South Alabama enters the game after a 30-10 loss at Mississippi State last Saturday.
A Visit From Schnellenberger
Jones also hosted former Florida Atlantic head coach Howard Schnellenberger on Monday, giving him a tour of the South Alabama football field house.
Schnellenberger built the Florida Atlantic program from scratch, and Jones consulted with him when he was hired to start the football program at South Alabama.
“It was great,” Jones said. “I met him four years ago. We went down there (to FAU) to visit with them and talk about starting a program. He gave me some really good pointers and I got to spend the day with him. He was good to me then and it was good to see him again. He’s a lot of fun to talk to. He has a lot of stories from coach Bryant and starting a new program. It meant a lot to have him there and it was good to see him.”
Kickoff Details
South Alabama and Troy kick off at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. The game will be televised on CSS.
The Jaguars are in their first season as a Sun Belt Conference football member.
