MOBILE, Ala. — Texas-San Antonio coach Larry Coker expects another close contest when the Roadrunners visit South Alabama on Saturday, and he is looking for the program’s first road victory. The South Alabama-UTSA meeting is a rematch of a double-overtime game last season.
Last Year’s Overtime Finish
The teams met last season at the Alamodome in San Antonio. UTSA had a chance to win late in regulation, but Gabe Loper and Clifton Crews blocked a Roadrunners field goal attempt.
In the second overtime, after UTSA kicked a field goal on its possession, Demetre Baker ended the game with a 25-yard touchdown run to give South Alabama the win.
Speaking on WNSP’s morning show, Coker said he hopes for a similarly competitive game with a different result.
“The game was very competitive last year,” Coker said. “I think South Alabama may have taken us a little bit lightly because we were a start-up program. I don’t think they’ll do that this year. I think it’s interesting for everybody concerned because, one, we’re going to have a good program and I believe South Alabama has a great start. They have good football players in the South and in Alabama, and we have good football players in Texas.”
Roadrunners Still Seeking a Road Win
UTSA finished 4-6 last season and lost all four of its road games. The Roadrunners split two overtime games, including an overtime win over Georgia State.
Coker said winning away from home is the next step for his team.
“I’m sure it factors into it some because most of these kids have never traveled,” Coker said. “Most of the traveling they’ve done has been in a yellow school bus. We’re going to travel first class and all those type things and have a great trip, but we have to handle this properly and make it a business trip. We have not won a road game. That’s one thing we have not done. We’ve got to somehow be road warriors and knock somebody off and somehow start that trend of winning on the road.”
Preparing for South Alabama’s Tempo
Coker said his defense must keep pace with a South Alabama offense he expects to play fast.
“I believe that we’re better,” Coker said. “I know South Alabama will be better. I think they’ll be a very fast-paced offense, a very wide-open offense, and the thing we’ve got to do is match up and get our personnel lined up and not get behind in the flow of the game. They’re going to be moving pretty fast, and they’ll be working hard on the tempo of the game. They are going to try to get the defense off balance and we’ve got to stay on balance and with the rhythm of their offense.”
Jaguars Strong at Home
South Alabama is 19-1 all-time at home. The lone home loss came against Cal Poly in last season’s finale.
The Jaguars, coached by Joey Jones, play their home games at Ladd-Peebles Stadium and are in their first season as a full football member of the Sun Belt Conference.
Update: Game-Day Details
Saturday’s game opens the 2012 season, South Alabama’s second and final year of transition to the Football Bowl Subdivision. The Jaguars are scheduled to play 13 games in 14 weeks, including eight against Sun Belt Conference opponents, and will face a Southeastern Conference opponent for the first time in program history.
South Alabama defeated UTSA 30-27 in double overtime at the Alamodome last season. The Jaguars finished the 2011 season 6-4, with their final game played on Nov. 19, 2011.
Game-Day Schedule
- 8 a.m.: Ladd-Peebles Stadium lots open for tailgating
- 10:30-10:45 a.m.: Team arrives for the traditional “Jaguar Prowl”
- 11 a.m.: Stadium gates open
- 1 p.m.: Kickoff
The game will be streamed live on ESPN3 for viewers whose cable or internet provider offers the service.
A table will be set up at Gate 4 to collect donations for former Jaguar player Jordan Means, who is undergoing cancer treatment. Means, who graduated last year, sat out the 2009 season and played for South Alabama in 2010 and 2011.
