MOBILE, Ala. — South Alabama head coach Joey Jones said Monday that sound technique and in-game adjustments will be the keys to slowing the Navy triple option offense when the Jaguars visit Annapolis, Md., on Saturday.
“We’re looking forward to the game in Annapolis with Navy,” Jones said at his weekly press conference. “They are a great football team — they took Notre Dame down to the wire, 38-34 — and haven’t had any trouble moving the ball on anybody. They’ve done a good job offensively and play real scrappy defense.”
Preparing for the Option
Jones said the Jaguars used three practice days last week to work on fundamentals and on Navy’s offense, which he called very difficult to prepare for.
“I don’t think people understand the difficulties in playing this offense,” Jones said. “But we have a good plan, we have to go out and execute it.”
Jones said Navy’s experience running the option gives the Midshipmen an answer for most defensive approaches.
“They make adjustments to everything you do,” he said. “Most teams have two or three plans against the option attack, but they’ve been doing it long enough where they have answers to that. The most difficult thing will be for us to adjust in the game. Hopefully we can respond and make a few adjustments on the sideline during the game.”
Jones said the Jaguars can mix in some aggressive calls but must be careful with blitzes.
“If they find that you’re blitzing inside they are going to get the ball outside, pitch it on you and be around the perimeter,” he said. “What we have to do for the most part is play great technique. That’s the best way teams can play against this offense. If you try to get fancy and draw things up that look good on the board, all of a sudden they’re in the end zone.”
Offensive Approach
Jones described Navy’s defense as hard-playing and fundamentally sound, with a bend-but-don’t-break approach and a front that differs from most the Jaguars face.
“We have to be able to sustain drives, we have to keep their offense off the field, and we can’t have three-and-outs and expect to win the ball game,” Jones said. “We’ve got to be able to drive the ball down the field and change the field position at worst but hopefully score.”
He said South Alabama will try to isolate certain players but must keep the offense balanced. “We can’t get into a pass-happy game either, we’ve got to be able to run the ball as well,” he said. “It’s very critical that you stay ahead of the chains where you are not third-and-eight or third-and-10 against them, because they can make you pay.”
Road Atmosphere
Jones said the Jaguars must stay focused on the game amid what he expects to be an energetic environment at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.
“From what I hear it’s going to be an exciting atmosphere in Annapolis, they are very proud of their football team,” he said. “But we are very proud of our team too and are excited about going up there and playing them.”
Game Information
Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. Saturday in Annapolis. The game will be televised by CBS Sports and broadcast on radio on 105.5 FM and WNSP.com.
Update: South Alabama vs. Navy by the Numbers
Saturday’s game is the first of a home-and-home series between the schools. Navy, which committed no penalties in a 38-34 loss to Notre Dame, is led by quarterback Keenan Reynolds, the team’s leading rusher with 825 yards and 18 touchdowns. Reynolds averages 90.4 passing yards per game and has six touchdown passes and two interceptions in 91 attempts.
- Rushing offense: Navy 5th nationally (306.6 yards per game, 32 touchdowns); South Alabama 72nd (162.8, 18 touchdowns).
- Passing offense: South Alabama 31st (274.4); Navy 122nd of 123 (97.1).
- Total offense: South Alabama 46th (437.1); Navy 69th (403.7).
- Scoring offense: Navy 53rd (30.9 points per game); South Alabama 63rd (29.4).
- Total defense: South Alabama 73rd (407.6 yards allowed); Navy 76th (412.9).
- Pass defense: Navy 27th (213.2); South Alabama 66th (232.5).
- Rushing defense: South Alabama 79th (175.1, eight touchdowns allowed); Navy 98th (199.7, 14 touchdowns allowed).
- Scoring defense: Navy 64th (26.4 points allowed); South Alabama 72nd (27.6).
South Alabama has lost four games by two points or fewer, its three Sun Belt losses have come by a combined four points, and its largest loss was by seven points at Tennessee.
Wes Saxton leads the Jaguars with 39 catches for 496 yards. Shavarez Smith has 29 catches for 551 yards and two touchdowns, Jereme Jones 28 for 335 yards and two touchdowns, and Danny Woodson, out for the season with a ruptured Achilles, 26 for 439 yards and four touchdowns. Bryant Lavender (168 yards, one touchdown) and Jay Jones (114 yards) have 14 catches each.
Jay Jones leads the team with 446 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Ross Metheny has 359 yards and eight touchdowns, and Cris Dinham, out for the rest of the regular season with a knee injury, has 266 yards and two touchdowns. Brandon Bridge has 196 yards and Kendall Houston 101.
Update: Gameday Injury Report
Navy enters Saturday’s game as a 7.5-point favorite. The Midshipmen have outscored opponents 52-19 in the first quarter and 86-73 in the fourth quarter this season.
For Navy, defensive lineman Bernard Sarra is doubtful with a foot injury. Fullback Noah Copeland (leg), defensive back Chris Ferguson (concussion) and offensive lineman Jake Zuzek (leg) are questionable.
South Alabama has lost four players to season-ending injuries: offensive lineman Melvin Meggs (torn ACL in the summer), defensive end Will Thompson (ankle surgery in preseason camp), defensive lineman Randon Carnathan (torn Achilles against Tulane) and receiver Danny Woodson (ruptured Achilles in the previous game). Defensive lineman Romelle Jones, who sprained his MCL, played in the last game. Tight end Wes Saxton will play after recovering from a shoulder injury, linebacker Maleki Harris is expected to play after leaving the last game with his right arm in a sling, and cornerback Qudarius Ford has been cleared after a concussion. The Jaguars have four games remaining, including Saturday’s.
Update: Jaguars Returned to Practice Sunday After Three-Day Break
South Alabama returned to the Jaguar Practice Facility on Sunday night after a three-day break to continue preparing for Navy. The session included special teams work and a 45-minute period with the offense and defense.
“They came back refreshed and we had a good practice,” Jones told AL.com. “It was good to get back together and kind of finalize the gameplan after being off for three days last week. We narrowed it down and presented it to them.”
“I think when you have a few days off, we still worked them pretty hard this week and we tried to hit the weight room pretty hard, but they came back and had a couple of days off and they came back ready to roll,” Jones said.
Navy enters the game 5-4, with wins over Indiana, Delaware, Air Force, Pittsburgh and Hawaii. The Midshipmen’s losses came against Western Kentucky (19-7), Duke (35-7), Toledo (55-45 in double overtime) and Notre Dame (38-34).
The Jaguars faced a version of the option earlier this season against Texas State, but Navy’s triple option is a different challenge. Saturday’s game will also air on CBS Sports Network.
