South Alabama Holds Spring ‘Mini-Scrimmage’ as Spread Offense, Sun Belt Football Take Shape

MOBILE, Ala. — South Alabama held what head coach Joey Jones called a “mini-scrimmage” during Saturday’s spring practice, giving the offense and defense extended work against each other as the Jaguars install a new spread offense and prepare for their first full Football Bowl Subdivision schedule.

Practice Format

The day opened with fundamentals, with players rotating among coaches, followed by two 10-minute offense-versus-defense segments. Special teams work included punting early, punt coverage later and field goals to close the session. The mini-scrimmage came in the second half of practice.

Adjusting to the Sun Belt Ball

As a Sun Belt Conference member, South Alabama must now use the league’s official football rather than the Nike ball it used in previous seasons. Several bad snaps occurred during the scrimmage, including from center Trey Clark.

The starting offensive line included Tremain Smith at left tackle, Drew Dearman at left guard, Meggs at right guard and Artz at right tackle.

Offensive Highlights

Quarterback C.J. Bennett connected with Bryant Lavender on a touchdown pass of roughly 60 yards and completed several other passes to him. Corey Besteda caught a pass near the 5-yard line on an out route, broke a tackle and dove into the end zone for a touchdown. Anthony Ingram caught several passes, and Greg Hollinger has moved to tight end.

Myles Gibbon moved the offense downfield after Bennett’s first series stalled, and Trey Fetner also directed series.

Defensively, Romelle Jones, who joined the lineup midway through last season, continued to stand out.

Game-Day Rehearsal

Coaches wore headsets to rehearse game-day communication. Offensive coordinator Robert Matthews called plays from a scissor lift while coaches on the sideline signaled them in. The offense emphasized tempo, and the pace combined with hard counts drew the defense offside several times, while also leading to some false-start and illegal-motion penalties on the offense.

Many players are adjusting to the switch from a power offense to the spread and from former coordinator Gregory to Matthews.

Jones Stresses Leadership

In the post-practice huddle, Jones reminded players that practice time is limited. He said he has seen more leadership this year and urged players to help teammates correct mistakes.

B.J. Scott, who is not participating this spring, has been assisting the staff with the secondary during drills.

Building Depth in the Secondary

Defensive coordinator Bill Clark said the staff is focused on identifying players as South Alabama prepares for a full FBS schedule in its multiple 3-4 system.

“For us right now, it’s identifying players. We’ve got a lot of guys back, but we’re looking to be two-deep. We’re looking for two guys at every position who could be considered starters,” Clark said. “We’re also looking for a sense of urgency, a sense of competition.”

Half of the Jaguars’ starting secondary was unavailable by the end of the 2011 season. Darrius Morrow and Charles Watson have arrived as transfers, and Terrell Brigham, Jonathan Cameron, Qudarius Ford, Eddy Cabrera, Gabe Loper, Charles Harris and Alonzo Long return.

“We’re really excited about our secondary. The group has a lot of ability,” Clark said. “We probably were a little more basic last year because we had so many changes, losing guys from the spring to the summer for different reasons, so we scaled it back just a hair. We’re throwing the kitchen sink at them right now. Along with the tempo our offense brings, it’s tough on them, but they’ve responded really well.”

Clark said the depth chart can change daily.

Up Next

The Jaguars returned Tuesday for the sixth of 15 spring practices. After a day off Wednesday, they practice Thursday morning before holding the first official scrimmage of the spring at 2:45 p.m. Saturday at the Jaguar Practice Complex on campus.