Monday Press Conference – Bowl Possibilities
Jaguar seniors pose at midfield with head coach Joey Jones prior to their final home game against Navy.
South Alabama head football coach Joey Jones along with defensive lineman Jesse Kelley and offensive lineman Ucambre Williams held their weekly press conference to recap the Jaguars regular-season finale against Navy last Friday.
Jones post-game press conference was very emotional and his message on Monday was just as heartfelt. But now the waiting begins. But Jones, his staff and team are not just sitting by the phone. Instead, they will return to the practice field on Wednesday and hope their schedule will not have to change.
The leading candidates for South Alabama is the newly formed Camellia Bowl in Montgomery and the GoDaddy Bowl in Mobile. The Sun Belt Conference also has ties to the New Orleans Bowl, but that seems to be a lock for Louisiana-Lafayette.
Jaguar fans have taken to social media to voice their support of the Jaguar program and asking both bowls to #PickUSA.
Below are highlights from the press conference.
Coach Jones opening statement. “I have never been any prouder of a team the way our guys played Friday night. They gave it their all, truly gave it all. I wanted to win the game, but I haven’t had that kick-in-the-gut feeling like you have when you lose a ballgame and maybe don’t play quite as well. Our kids played great offensively and defensively. They made some great plays, and had the attitude on the sideline that they were going to win every play. It’s what teamwork is all about, and it all came together that night.
“Unfortunately, we didn’t make another play or two there at the end to finish it. But I’m real proud of the way we played. As far as a bowl invitation goes, I’m like a girl waiting on a date pacing around the house waiting on the phone call. We’re looking forward to representing the Sun Belt Conference in a bowl. I think we would be a great choice. We’re going to bring a great crowd wherever we go; our fans have proven that. We have a real good football team that deserves to be there. I know I’m a little biased, but in my opinion we would be a great choice. We’re going to be very competitive in whatever game we play no matter what school we have to go against. Our kids are looking forward to the possibility of it. It would be like icing on the cake for us.”
Jones on this senior class. “Our kids were on a mission (Friday), and they played that way. My hat’s off to the seniors for leading them into the game that way. They really wanted to win that ballgame, and they played that way. I am real proud of them.”
Jones on waiting to see if his team is invited to a bowl game. “In my opinion, it (bowl invitation) would be the biggest thing that has ever happened to this football program. We have done a lot of good things. I have never coached in a bowl game, but I have played in them. It’s not just the game, it’s the week leading up to it. We have a chance to showcase the University of South Alabama, no matter what city we are in and I think we would do a good job of doing that. The anticipation of having that and not knowing is tough, but I feel good about it. I think we put ourselves in very good position to get there.”
Defensive lineman Jesse Kelley on the game against Navy. “It was just a great overall team effort out there. Like Coach Jones mentioned to us after the game, we gave 110 percent and left everything out on the field. There’s nothing more you can ask of our players. There was some exciting things that happened toward the end (of the game), but we just fell a little short. But with all that said, this has been a good season. We’re hoping that we have a shot to play just one more game – just one more.”
Kelley on what it would mean to go to a bowl game. “For me personally, going to a bowl game would be a self-reward. As a team, we said from the beginning of last year that we wanted to become bowl eligible and go to a bowl game. I think that a bowl game (invitation) would make the seniors go out on a good note, and would also help jump-start next year’s team going into the spring and fall.”
Kelley on getting back onto the field after how the Navy game ended. “I hate that the game ended like it did. I hated to have to take that helmet and shoulder pads off in the locker room. I don’t want last Friday to be the last time I’m able to put on a helmet and shoulder pads, and be able to play the game of football ever again.”
Kelley on what the Jaguars can offer a bowl game if selected. “We have two bowl games within the state. With us being in the state of Alabama, I think we would have great attendance for either the game here in Mobile or in Montgomery.”
Offensive lineman Ucambre Williams on the Navy game. “It was emotional at the end because we lost a close one. I’m just proud of my teammates to have the resilience to come back, especially the plays we made down the stretch. (Wide receiver) Shavarez (Smith) had a big catch and Jeremé Jones had a big touchdown too. It just showed a lot of resilience in our team.”
Williams on what it would mean to receive a bowl invitation. “Personally, it would mean a lot to me because I have a lot of (former) teammates that I graduated high school with who have been to bowl games at other schools. I just hear them describe it, and I just want to have that feeling. As a team, to be the first in school history would mean a lot especially to these seniors. With the five years we have put in to the program and school, it would mean a lot to the team.”
Williams on getting back onto the field after how the Navy game ended. “It puts a horrible sour taste in my mouth, especially the way that we kind of lost it on some mental mistakes. I feel like as a leader on the offense, those two penalties should not happen. I take blame for it as one of the leaders. It left a very sour taste in my mouth. I’m ready to get back on the field.”
Williams on having to wait to see if USA will get an invitation. “It’s very tough. I thought we would find out Sunday. It’s kind of a nervous time for everybody. There is a lot of anxiousness going through my body right now. With me being from Alabama, a lot of my family members will come to the game. That would be an awesome experience.”