MOBILE, Ala. — South Alabama offensive coordinator Robert Matthews says the Jaguars’ offense is steadily improving since the staff moved away from a two-quarterback rotation and handed the job to Ross Metheny, as the team prepares to face Florida International.
“I think we’re getting better,” Matthews said. “We’re certainly not where we want to be yet, but there’s been a lot of improvement. Really, we’re still learning. Every game you should get better.”
Moving to One Quarterback
South Alabama opened the season rotating two quarterbacks, a plan Matthews said the staff intended for the first four or five games. The Jaguars started 1-4 under that approach, averaging 13.4 points and 300 yards of total offense per game.
Since settling on Metheny as the full-game starter, South Alabama is 1-2 while averaging 30 points and 364 yards of offense per game, bringing the team’s overall record to 2-6.
“We’re in Season One of this offense and obviously the first four or five games we were rotating two quarterbacks and that was the plan we had,” Matthews said. “I think since we’ve had just one guy in there we’ve shown a lot more consistency. I think that we’ll continue to get better as the kids continue to work hard.”
Metheny now takes the majority of practice snaps with the first-team offense rather than splitting repetitions evenly, which Matthews said has helped both the quarterback and the players around him.
“I think the guys need to know who the guy behind the center is,” Matthews said. “I think that’s important. And that’s not to say that playing two quarterbacks can’t work because a lot of teams do it and it is very effective.”
Matthews pointed to Sun Belt rival Troy, which has used Deon Anthony alongside starter Corey Robinson, as an example of a two-quarterback approach that provides a change of pace.
“I think every team needs to find what their niche is,” Matthews said. “For us and for this offense, one quarterback is the way we want to go with it. I think it helps the guys just from a practice reps standpoint. It’s hard to get two quarterbacks ready for everything. We still practice two quarterbacks for each game, but Ross gets the majority of the reps and the reps aren’t split as much and I think that helps his productivity too.”
Position Changes
The quarterback decision has not been the only adjustment. Defensive back Gabe Loper has moved to wide receiver over the last few games, which allowed T.J. Glover to shift from receiver to running back and give the Jaguars another speed option on the perimeter.
“That’s what our job as coaches is, trying to get the players in the best position as possible so they can make plays,” Matthews said. “I know that sounds really generic, but it’s true. We try to evaluate it every day. Certainly getting Gabe has helped us. It gives us another guy who can stretch the field. He has good height and great ball skills and that move has helped us. It’s freed up some other guys to play some different positions which has been able to keep us more balanced.”
How the Teams Compare on Offense
Among the 10 Sun Belt Conference teams, South Alabama ranks ninth in scoring offense at 19.6 points per game through eight games. FIU ranks seventh at 21.0 points per game through nine games.
The Jaguars are 10th in total offense at 324 yards per game, while FIU is eighth at 386.4. South Alabama’s rushing offense has climbed to ninth at 133 yards per game, just behind FIU’s 140 yards per game in eighth place. In the passing game, the Jaguars are 10th at 191 yards per game and FIU is fourth at 246.4.
On third down, FIU ranks eighth at 37.1 percent, while South Alabama is 10th at 29.8 percent. In the red zone, the Jaguars rank fifth, scoring on 81.2 percent of their trips, and FIU ranks eighth at 75.9 percent.
How the Teams Compare on Defense
South Alabama ranks eighth in scoring defense, allowing 29.5 points per game. FIU is 10th, allowing 34.8.
The Jaguars rank third in total defense at 368.5 yards allowed per game, while FIU is eighth at 416.8. Against the run, South Alabama is third at 142.9 yards per game, compared with 167.2 for FIU. The Jaguars’ pass defense is fourth at 225.6 yards per game, and FIU’s is seventh at 249.6.
South Alabama leads the conference in red zone defense, allowing opponents to score on 73.7 percent of their trips inside the 20. FIU ranks last, allowing scores on 88.6 percent of opponents’ trips.
Special Teams and Other Categories
FIU ranks third in kickoff returns at 22.6 yards per return, while South Alabama is sixth at 20.5. In punt returns, FIU is second at 8.1 yards per return and the Jaguars are fifth at 7.1.
South Alabama and Troy are tied for last in the league in penalty yardage at 74 yards per game, with FIU one spot ahead in eighth at 73.2.
The Jaguars rank sixth in time of possession at 29 minutes, 28 seconds per game, while FIU is fifth at 31:02. In turnover margin, South Alabama is ninth at minus-5, and FIU is 10th at minus-6.
Update: Final Practice and Rankings
South Alabama wrapped up its preparation for FIU with a two-hour practice in full pads on Thursday, followed by a short walk-through on Friday. Head coach Joey Jones said the team improved in several areas while also working on its own areas of concern.
“It was a good practice,” Jones said. “The theme for the rest of the year of us is to finish, finish this week, finish the games, finish the season, and I think they have a great attitude toward that right now, I really do.”
“The leadership is really starting to come out,” he said. “Because when you’ve got to pull it out of them all the time, you’re probably not going to get it. But when they start doing it, when the peers start doing it, then you’ve really got something.”
In Jeff Sagarin’s computer ratings of all 245 FBS and FCS teams, South Alabama is No. 153, the lowest among Sun Belt teams. FIU is No. 146, Florida Atlantic, which South Alabama beat two weeks ago, is No. 138, and Louisiana-Monroe is the top-rated Sun Belt team at No. 46. Mississippi State, at No. 28, is the highest-rated team on South Alabama’s schedule. In CBSSports.com’s ranking of the 124 FBS teams, South Alabama is No. 118, FIU No. 102, Florida Atlantic No. 109, Louisiana-Monroe No. 32 and Mississippi State No. 15.
The Jaguars will wear blue jerseys and blue pants, and fans are encouraged to wear blue. Kickoff at Ladd-Peebles Stadium is set for 2:30 p.m. Saturday.
