MOBILE, Ala. — South Alabama has returned to matching its first-team offense against its first-team defense in practice this week as the Jaguars prepare for Saturday’s game at No. 23 Mississippi State in Starkville, Miss.
The game will be South Alabama’s first against a Southeastern Conference team and its first against an opponent ranked in the Top 25.
Ones Versus Ones
Head coach Joey Jones said the Jaguars had moved away from first-team scrimmage work in recent weeks but brought it back to prepare for the speed of the schedule.
“We actually backed off that a couple of weeks ago and didn’t do as much of that,” Jones said. “We’ve got to get back to that for the speed of the game. When you play N.C. State and you play Mississippi State and you play Troy and everybody we’re going to play this year, they’re fast football teams, physical football teams, so you simulate that by going ones versus ones, and I think that’s going to help.”
Quarterback Rotation
Ross Metheny has taken additional snaps with the first-team offense against the scout-team defense this week. The program has not said whether Metheny or C.J. Bennett will start against the Bulldogs. Jones said Tuesday that the Jaguars plan to continue rotating quarterbacks in Starkville.
Moving Past NC State
South Alabama lost 31-7 at North Carolina State last Saturday. Jones told the Press-Register that his players have responded well in practice.
“It’s been good,” Jones said. “Our kids have bounced back. We’re building a football program right now. Our kids are trying to get things going. We played N.C. State to 31-7. We don’t like it, but the bottom line is our kids are working hard every day to build this football program. They’re excited about the teams we’re going to play and we’re going to get better and better as we grow.”
Of Wednesday’s workout, Jones said: “It was good. I told the kids we’ve got to have that look in our eyes every day at practice, any time we play. We’ve got to have that look in our eyes, what I call our game face. We’ve done that. The kids are working hard and I’m pleased with them.”
Facing a Ranked SEC Opponent
Mississippi State’s victories this season include a 28-10 win over Auburn.
“I’m excited about it,” Jones said. “Our kids are going to Starkville and playing and they’re ranked No. 23 in the country. When you walk in a venue like that, they’re playing with a lot of confidence right now and they’re playing well. They beat Auburn 28-10. Our kids want to be in environments like that and our kids are looking forward to it.”
Injury Update
Three starters wore gold non-contact jerseys during Wednesday’s practice: free safety B.J. Scott, linebacker Jake Johnson and running back Kendall Houston. All three participated and are expected to be available Saturday.
