MOBILE, Ala. — South Alabama will recognize 15 seniors before Saturday’s home finale against Middle Tennessee at Ladd-Peebles Stadium, while leading rusher Demetre Baker is doubtful for the game with an ankle sprain, head coach Joey Jones said.
Tuesday Practice
Jones said the Jaguars had a productive Tuesday workout.
“We had a pretty good day today,” Jones said. “I think we had a good one from the standpoint that they were paying attention and they had a good inside drill today, running the football on both sides of the ball, offense and defense. I thought we had a good crisp period where they got after it and on Tuesdays you’ve got to have a good physical practice because you’ve got to carry it over to the game.”
As it did last week, the team practiced in shells and is expected to do so again Wednesday. With three games left in a long stretch of the schedule, the staff is trying to keep players fresh while staying sharp and installing the game plan.
Injury Update
Jones said on his weekly radio show that Baker, who suffered an ankle sprain in the second quarter against North Texas and missed the second half, is doubtful for Saturday. Baker leads the team with 595 rushing yards.
Kendall Houston is likely to start in his place. Houston has played in all 10 games and has 185 yards on 71 carries this season.
Clifton Crews, who sustained a concussion in the second quarter against North Texas, is listed as probable. He must still pass a battery of tests to confirm there are no lingering effects before he is cleared.
Senior Day
The university will honor its 2012 senior class in a pregame ceremony. Trey Clark, B.J. Scott and Jake Johnson have started all 10 games this season, while Cori Barnett and Brandon Ross have not played this year because of injuries.
The other seniors to be recognized are Ryne Baxter, Jonathan Cameron, Michel Chapuseaux, Andy Dalgleish, Kennedy Helms, Ellis Hill, Gabe Loper, Chris Rivers, Tremain Smith and Anthony Taylor.
“I want to thank our seniors for all they have done and committed to this football program, for what they have meant not only to this university but to our team,” Jones said. “They are great leaders and great young men, they care about this team and have done all the right things to build this program from the ground up. Some of the guys have been here the whole time, some have transferred in, but the bottom line is that they have all contributed in great ways.”
“I think this is a special day, it really is, because you almost treat it a little differently since it is your last day to play at home,” he said. “Not that you are going to go out and play any harder, because those guys are going to play hard anyway, but you look at it with a little different perspective because you realize this is your last one.”
Game Day Schedule
Parking lots at Ladd-Peebles Stadium open for tailgating at 8 a.m. The Jaguar Prowl will be held at about 12:10 p.m. in the south parking lot, and stadium gates open at 12:30 p.m. Kickoff against the Blue Raiders is set for 2:30 p.m.
Update: Jaguars Look to Close Season Strong
South Alabama is 2-8 overall and 1-5 in the Sun Belt after Saturday’s 24-14 loss at North Texas. Middle Tennessee, second in the conference standings, enters at 6-3 overall and 4-1 in league play. After the home finale, the Jaguars close the season at Louisiana-Lafayette in their final Sun Belt game and then at Hawaii.
“The good teams learn from the losses, watch film, make corrections and move forward,” quarterback Ross Metheny said. “There comes a point where being so close is not enough. We’re so close in so many games, and hopefully we’ll put it all together. We have three more chances to win football games, and that’s what we’re looking to do.”
Baker, who sprained his ankle at North Texas, has 595 yards and three touchdowns on 118 carries, an average of 5 yards per carry.
Jones said at his Monday press conference that the North Texas loss was difficult. “I don’t know that there is anyone more frustrated than I was after the (North Texas) game,” he said. “I didn’t talk to my wife, I didn’t talk to anyone on the plane coming back. I’m just that way. The next day I wake up and the sun comes up.”
Jones said the staff showed players video of missed opportunities from the game. “There are certainly 12 to 15 plays in a game that if we make them the game is close and we win,” he said. “It’s not good enough to just get to the fourth quarter, we have to make those plays in the fourth quarter. We have to coach better, everybody’s unit has to do better.”
Update: Jones on Sun Belt Parity, Seniors Look to Final Home Game
At Monday’s press conference, Jones said the first Sun Belt season has shown the Jaguars how narrow the margins are in the league. He pointed to Louisiana-Lafayette taking Florida to the wire, Middle Tennessee’s win over Georgia Tech and Florida Atlantic’s victory over Western Kentucky, noting South Alabama beat FAU earlier this season. “It isn’t very far from the top to the bottom of the conference,” Jones said.
Jones called Middle Tennessee and Arkansas State the two hottest teams in the league. He said the Blue Raiders’ only conference loss came against Louisiana-Monroe, have a deep group of running backs, a strong offensive line, a good quarterback and standout receivers, and are well coached on defense under coordinator Tyrone Nix. Jones said Middle Tennessee could play for the conference championship if it keeps winning, with Arkansas State as its final opponent.
Senior offensive lineman Trey Clark, the only player to start all 37 games in the program’s history, said Saturday’s game will be emotional but the team must stay focused on the Blue Raiders. “I’m so proud of our attitude and willingness to keep going despite the adversity,” Clark said of the season.
Senior linebacker Jake Johnson, a transfer from Virginia Tech, said he found a home at South Alabama after wanting a position where he could excel. He said Middle Tennessee’s offensive line comes off the ball faster than any South Alabama has faced and that the defense must eliminate big plays. “We’re right there every game, right down to the fourth quarter,” Johnson said.
