Jags fall to former SBC rival MTSU 68-67 on Saturday
On Saturday afternoon, the South Alabama Men’s Basketball team lost and overtime heartbreaker to Middle Tennessee State at the Mitchell Center, 68-67.
The Jags (2-4) trailed by 10 points in the first half and rallied back to tie the game late. They had a chance at winning the game in regulation but a long 3-point try missed its mark and bounced off the back of the rim.
In overtime the Blue Raiders broke a 64-64 tie with a layup by Jacquez Rozier with 42 seconds to play in the first overtime period. They then extended their lead with a pair of Jaquan Raymond free throws with 13.2 seconds left to give them a four point lead.
Taishuan Johnson nailed a long 3-pointer with seven seconds left in the overtime period and was fouled in the process. The free throw, if made, would have tied the game however his shot missed the mark.
Abdul Lewis led the team with 17 points and 12 rebounds for a double-double. Barrington Stevens III added 14 points and five rebounds. Ken Williams and Johnson added 10 points each.
MTSU was led by Rozier with 12 points.
Camellia Bowl Opponent Set, South Alabama vs Bowling Green
On Sunday the University of South Alabama learned who they would face in the inaugural Raycom Media Camellia Bowl. South Alabama and Bowling Green University will face off on Saturday, December 20 at 8:15PM CST at the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery.
Bowling Green, who lost to Northern Illinois in the Mid-American Conference Championship Game on Friday, will make their third consecutive bowl appearance.
In anticipation of a bowl invite, head coach Joey Jones and his staff had already scheduled practice on Wednesday. Then after word reached them that they had been selected on Tuesday, the Jaguars scheduled three days of practice last week where their primary focused was on fundamentals and repping young players. They could not being prepping for their opponent since they did not know who it was just yet.
“Obviously we don’t know that much about them, we’ll be looking at film here real soon, but I know traditionally they’ve been a real good program and we have a lot of respect for Bowling Green,” South Alabama head coach Joey Jones said.
Bowling Green will enter the game with a 7-6 record after winning the MAC’s eastern division title for the second consecutive year. However they were outmanned by Northern Illinois in the title game in a 51-17 loss, and the Falcon’s third consecutive loss of the season.
The Camellia Bowl will be the Falcon’s third consecutive bowl game, but they have lost their previous for appearances.
South Alabama enters with a 6-6 record in their second season of full FBS membership in which they were bowl eligible for both. The Jags tied for fourth in the Sun Belt and enter the bowl game with a two-game losing streak after a spirited first half against South Carolina and a heartbreaking loss to Navy at home.
Mission Mongtomery: What you need to know about the Camellia Bowl
We are just 15 days away from the Camellia Bowl. Here is what you need to know about the game and tickets.
The inaugural Raycom Media Camellia Bowl will be on Saturday, December 20 at 8:15PM CST. It will pit South Alabama against an Mid-American Conference team that is expected to be announced on Sunday, December 7. ESPN will broadcast the game live nation wide with no other conflicting college football bowl games. That is PRIME TIME, NATIONWIDE television coverage with NO OTHER college football game on at that time.
This game has several significant points to it. This is the first bowl game in South Alabama history, in only its sixth season of existence and only the second season as a full FBS member and eligible for a bowl game. South Alabama is also the fastest FBS football team to play in a bowl game.
Tickets
If you are a season ticket holder or donor to the Jaguar Athletic Fund you can order tickets now through the USA Ticket Office exclusively through Monday, December 8.
Beginning Tuesday, December 9 tickets will go on sale to the general public.
Tickets are $25.
#JAGNATION, it is HIGHLY ENCOURAGED to go through the USA Ticket office for tickets.
Why is is important to buy tickets through USA?
- It shows the Camellia Bowl that our fans support the team and buys tickets
- It factors into future bowl invitations that Jaguar fans buys tickets and travels well
- Ticket sales through USA count directly for USA
- Less important than the previous three, but it also concentrates Jag fans together for a sea of red for the television crowd
You can order tickets through the USA Ticket Office over the phone, in person at the Mitchell Center or online at USAJaguars.com beginning Tuesday, December 9. Purchasers will be notified when tickets are available for pickup and there will be will-call available in Montgomery.
Students who have a valid and current ID, will have access to 1,000 (or more) tickets and 20 (or more) buses for transportation to and from Montgomery. The details are still being worked out, look for future information from USA, The Vanguard and us when it is released.
Parking
Automobile parking is free, here is a map. RV Parking is $50 and is available beginning at noon on Friday, December 19, this link has more info about RV parking as well.
Where to Stay
The Cramton Bowl website has a list of places to stay. Also Montgomery has lots of historical places to visit. Take that into consideration when you are planning your stay. Here are some hotels in Montgomery.
Apparel
Next week the USA Bookstore will begin carrying Raycom Media Camellia Bowl apparel including long- and short-sleeve t-shirts, crew neck fleece shirts and caps.
Events leading up to the Game
There are lots of events scheduled leading up to the game. Friday, December 19 is the Montgomery Advertiser Street Fest and Pep Rally beginning at 3pm. It will include a live band, pep rally for both schools, a fireworks show and more throughout the city.
USA’s pep rally will be held after the MAC opponent’s around 5:00-5:30. Then a Christmas parade will follow from 6:15-8:00pm that will run from the capitol building on Dexter Ave to the end of Commerce street. Then all activities afterwards will be held on Commerce Street after the parade.
Fan Fest presented by Outback Steakhouse will start at 3pm on Saturday, December 20 at Paterson Field, near the Cramton Bowl.
OC Matthews will not return to Jags staff next season
Offensive lineman Drew Dearman, Dearman’s father and Offensive Coordinator Robert Matthews after the annual Red & Blue Spring football game in 2012.
The post-season coaching carousel got started all around the country this week as many teams have finished their regular-season games prior to championship game weekend. And it has also struck at South Alabama.
According to several outlets including footballscoop.com, a source, and confirmed last night by AL.com, offensive coordinator Robert Matthews will not be returning next season.
Matthews just finished his third season as the offensive coordinator for the Jaguars. He coached the offensive linemen his first two seasons but took over coaching the quarterbacks this season.
His first season in 2012 the offense set school records in completions (244), passing yards (2,728), passing yards per game (209.8) and first downs (252). Ross Metheny set a new school record with 189 completions and became the first quarterback to pass for more than 2,000 yards in a season. Three receivers would finish in the top five of the program’s season record list for both catches and receiving yards.
In 2013 the Jags averaged over 425 yards per game and almost 30 points per game, including a school record 252.8 yards per game passing. Wes Saxton and Shavarez Smith set schools records with 50 receptions last season with Smith also setting a record with 940 yards receiving.
Last season, under his guidance, the offensive line allowed a conference low 1.42 sacks per game and broke the single season record for passing yards with 3,033 yards passing among other records.
South Alabama accepts invitation to 2014 Raycom Camellia Bowl
Wednesday afternoon in the John Counts Room at the Michell Center the University of South Alabama had another monumental moment in Jaguar Football History when they formally accepted an invitation to play in the inaugural Raycom Camellia Bowl on Saturday, December 20 in Montgomery, AL at 8:15pm CST.
The Jaguars will make their first-ever bowl appearance in only their sixth season of football overall and only their second season as a full FBS member with eligibility to play in a post-season game.
Additionally they earned their first bowl invitation faster than any other program in history breaking the record held by former Sun Belt member Florida Atlantic who accomplished the feat in seven seasons, third season as a FBS member.
Executive director of the Raycom Media Camellia Bowl, Johnny Williams, invitation was accepted by USA president Dr. Tony Waldrop with Athletic Director Dr. Joel Erdmann, head coach Joey Jones, SGA president Danielle Watson, fans, supporters and a host of Jaguar players.
“We’re extremely excited that South Alabama will play the first bowl game in school history at the inaugural Raycom Media Camellia Bowl,” Williams said. “This is a historic moment being the Raycom Media Camellia Bowl’s first game and the University of South Alabama first bowl appearance.”
“Certainly on behalf of the board of trustees, the faculty, staff and students, all of the athletic department staff, but more importantly, on behalf of the coaches and players, we enthusiastically are honored to be part of the Raycom Media Camellia Bowl,” Waldrop stated. “The importance of this bowl game is great, obviously for the football team and all the fans, but it’s also great for the student life here. What an accomplishment: after just six years of having a football program, we’re going to a bowl game.”
“I want to thank ESPN and the Raycom Media Camellia Bowl for inviting us to be in their bowl game; we are certainly excited about that,” said Jones. “I know it will be a great event for both teams — we’re looking forward to participating in it. Last year, we became bowl eligible, but didn’t quite get in. This year, we became bowl eligible and got in.
Jones cautioned attendees he may get emotional and he needed a moment to compose himself prior to stating: “I’m so proud of our players and the sacrifices they’ve made to have this moment,” he continued. “My heart goes out to them, it’s really all about the players. These guys have four or five years to play and I want to make it as special as I can for them, because these guys have made it special for me. I really appreciate what they’ve done to get us here.”
Purchase your tickets through the USA Ticket Office!
Purchasing tickets through USA will reflect how well South Alabama sells tickets and subsequently will factor into future invitations to bowl games. The more tickets we sell and the more we travel for games the more likely we are to earn invitations in the future. It could also mean larger, more prominent bowl games could consider inviting South Alabama in the future.
Tickets for the game cost $25 per person. Jaguar Athletic Fund donors and USA Season Ticket holders will have an exclusive time-frame for purchases beginning at 8am Thursday morning through the end of the day on Monday. On Tuesday sales will begin for the general public should tickets still be available. Seating locations will be determined by JAG priority points and purchashers will be notified when tickets are available for pickup.
“Being offered the opportunity to participate in the Raycom Media Camellia Bowl is indescribably exciting and tremendously rewarding,” Erdmann said. “It’s an incredible reflection on the hard work and commitment of so many people involved in the process of South Alabama football, specifically head coach Joey Jones, our student-athletes, coaching and support staff who have fought hard and prepared so well in getting us to this point.
“We are all one team, we are all one family, we represent this university and our community,” he added. “The team and the coaches have a certain role; that’s to practice, to compete and to win. We, the ones not on the team, have a different role, and that’s to support them and drive that engine. We need to be able to go to Montgomery and represent ourselves to the best of our ability.
“As we anticipated this, we sat down and came up with a rallying cry. Our battle cry is ‘Mission: Montgomery.’ Mission: Montgomery has three basic goals: buy tickets, travel to Montgomery and rally around the team.”
Current students with a valid ID will be able to get tickets for the game at no cost. The University has pledged to purchase 1,000 tickets for students and promised to purchase more, if available, if needed. They also pledged to have 20 buses for student transportation to and from the game in Montgomery.
The Jags will play a team from the Mid Atlantic Conference which should be announced later this week or over the weekend. Speculation on candidates is that it could be Northern Illinois or Toledo.
Isn’t it a great time to be a JAGUAR!?!
Jags Overcome Slow Start to Defeat Spring Hill 71-54
South Alabama was out shot by Spring Hill 40.8% to 36.4% and trailed the Badgers for most of the first half before rallying with the final six points of the first half to take the lead into halftime.
After halftime it was clear sailing for the Jaguars as they would defeat Spring Hill 71-54.
Sophomore Georgi Boyanov earned his first career double-double with career highs in both points (14) and rebounds (10). He was 5-for-7 from the floor and a perfect 3-for-3 from the foul line.
Senior Dionte Ferguson fell just short of a double-double himself with eight points and nine rebounds. He also had two steals and a blocked shot.
Freshman Taishaun Johnson chipped in 11 points off the bench.
Matevz Rojc led the Badgers with 10 points off the bench while making both of this three-point attempts. James Clarke had nine points off the bench while going 2-of-3 from outside the arc.
South Alabama has been plagued by slow starts this season. It wasn’t until the 3:21 mark of the first half that the Jags saw the lead. In previous games they were unable to recover from big deficits early on the road.
South Alabama improves to 2-3 on the season with the win. Spring Hill, an NCAA Division II program, is 0-6 on the season as the game was an exhibition for them.
The Jags will return to action on Saturday, December 6 when they host former Sun Belt rival Middle Tennessee State for a 1:05pm tip.
South Alabama Bowl Bound! Press conference called for tomorrow at 1pm
South Alabama director of athletics announced that the school will hold a press conference tomorrow at 1pm “pertaining to the football program”. But according to numerous Jaguar players posting on Twitter, they will be playing in their first bowl game in program history.
The press conference will be held in the John Counts Room in the Mitchell Center and will be open to the public.
Go Jags!
**UPDATE: South Alabama will be playing in the first-annual Camellia Bowl in Montgomery, AL on December 20th with kickoff scheduled for 8:15 CST.
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.”
Saxton Accepts Invite to East-West Shrine Game
Jaguar tight end Wes Saxton catches a pass from Ross Metheny against FIU in 2012. Saxton is the first Jaguar to be named to the John Mackey Award Preseason Watch List and the first to be invited to play in the East-West Shrine Game.
South Alabama tight end Wes Saxton has accepted an invitation to play in this year’s East-West Shrine Game according to game organizers.
Saxton, a senior from Hueytown, AL, is the first Jaguar to be selected to participate in the event and the fourth individual overall to be chosen to compete in a postseason All-Star game in this six year existence. Courtney Smith played in the 2011 Senior Bowl, Jake Johnson and B.J. Scott participated in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl two years later and were both chosen to take part in the Senior Bowl as well.
Saxton ranks fourth all-time in school history in both catches (96) and receiving yards (1,126) in 36 appearances over the last three seasons. Last season he finished with 50 receptions for 635 yards which put him in the top 10 in the Sun Belt Conference in both categories and earned him first-team All-Conference honors from Sun Belt coaches and media.
The 90th East-West Shrine Game will take place on Saturday, January 17, 2015 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida with a 3pm CST kickoff. It will be televised on the NFL Network.
Over 256 East-West Shrine Game alumni are on NFL rosters while 70 participants have gone on to reach the NFL Hall of Fame.