Challenging #JagNation To #PackLadd Against ULL
The Jaguars rally at mid field after they enter the field to just prior to kickoff against Western Kentucky on Saturday, September 14, 2013.
While the Jaguars are uncertain that they would receive an invitation to a bowl game if they win on Saturday and achieve bowl eligibility in their first season as a full FBS member, they can only do their part and hope the chips fall where they may.
South Alabama will host conference leader Louisiana-Lafayette on Saturday in what may prove to be one of the best games of the season. South Alabama is fighting to earn bowl eligibility in their final game of the season. The Ragin’ Cajuns are fighting to win the conference crown outright.
Though the possibility of a bowl invitation is remote, it does exist but requires a win. The Jags entered the season with two goals: one, get bowl eligible and two, win a conference championship. The second goal is unattainable this season, however they can defeat the conference leader to achieve the first goal.
South Alabama enters the game on a roll with convincing wins in their last two games against Louisiana-Monroe, who defeated ULL last weekend, and Georgia State.
But it may take more than just their will to accomplish the task. I wrote an article earlier this season to challenge the fanbase to come out to the game and to encourage those around you to stand up and make noise in order to make Ladd-Peebles Stadium one of the most feared stadiums in the Sun Belt.
I am challening you again.
I am challening you to not only stand up and be heard, but to also pack the stands at Ladd. The stadium currently seats 33,471 for South Alabama football. We are averaging 15,886 for home games at Ladd-Peebles Stadium, that is less than half capacity. ULL Averages 25,976 for every home game this season.
I will repost my challenge from earlier this season below, but my challenge to you is to #PackLadd. We not only need you to encourage everyone to come out to the game to salute the seniors who have built the foundation for future growth of the South Alabama program, but to encourage them as they fight to make history in getting bowl eligible in their first season as a FBS member.
Let’s do this!!
Below is being reposted from my September 11 article here.
Jaguar Nation, I have a challenge for you.
I challenge you to send this to your friends and family. Tell them to read this and take it to heart. I also want you to be an example at home games. Encourage those around you to stand up, make noise and help make Ladd-Peebles Stadium one of the most feared stadiums in the Sun Belt.
If you went to the game last Saturday in New Orleans at the Superdome, you were part of something very special. You may have noticed how loud we were during the game. This was not the first time the Jaguar Nation “road crew” was impressive on the road.
Back in 2010 when South Alabama traveled to Lamar, we got loud. Really loud. Lamar fans knew where we were and that we were excited. Then the following week in Davis, California the fans were loud and well known again when the Jags came from behind to defeat UC Davis.
During the 2011 season when the Jags faced their first FBS school, in a game I refer to as USA vs NC State 1, the Jaguar fans who made that trip really let them know that we were there and proud of our team. In a stadium with a capacity of 60,000 our small group gave their rabid fans an impression. Way up in the pressbox, the broadcasters could hear Jag Nation getting rowdy and letting everyone know about it.
You can say the same thing about the road trip to Texas-San Antonio and Georgia State. The Jags were loud and proud.
The same happened in 2012 when during USA VS NC State 2, but more so on the road in Starkville against Mississippi State.
There is no doubt we are proud of our team. But we need EVERYONE at home to be as good as the ‘Road Crew’ when it comes to making noise. When there’s a first down yell ‘That’s another South Alabama….FIRST DOWN’. When the defense is facing third down, make noise so they cannot communicate and to pump up our team. Make up your own thing. Chant USA or South In Your Mouth after a big play. Or the guy who yells ‘hubba hubba hubba’ and key defensive plays. Whatever it is, do it and be loud.
It’s obvious that when Jaguar Nation is loud, the team get pumped up and excited.
Bottom line is, they need us. They need us to be loud this weekend against Western Kentucky. They will need us to be loud when Kent State plays here. When Arkansas State plays here. When Louisiana-Monroe plays here. And when Lousiana-Lafayette plays here.
Wear your RED shirts, Jersey’s, hats and bring your RED rally towel and shakers. Let the Hilltoppers know we mean business and that they cannot get comfortable anytime they are in Mobile. Let them know that we are the new kids on the street and that we mean business.
That’s my challenge to you, Jaguar Nation. Will you accept it? Will you send this to your friends and family? Will you be that first one to stand up, wave your rally towel, yell encouragement and get those around you to do the same?
I hope you will, because I will.
Go Jags!