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!?!
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.
South Alabama falls to Navy 42-40
Jaguar seniors pose at midfield with head coach Joey Jones prior to their final home game against Navy.
South Alabama converted two out of three 2-point conversion attempts, but suffered questionable penalties and did not convert the one that counted as the Jaguars fell to Navy 42-40 at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.
USA opened the game with an eight play, 73-yard drive to quickly take the lead. They recovered a Navy fumble and added a field goal to take a 10-0 lead at the 8:10 mark of the first quarter.
South Alabama looked to be firmly in control of the game after stopping the midshipmen on a 4th-and-1, but quarterback Brandon Bridge gave the ball right back to them when he floated a pass to a Navy defender. Two plays later the Midshipmen got on the scoreboard at the 4:56 mark of the first quarter.
The Jaguars responded with a nine play, 74 yard drive before Navy gained momentum and scored 21-unaswered points.
The Jaguars opted to kick a field goal late in the third quarter getting within eight points of Navy 28-20 with 3:43 left. Navy responded with a touchdown by quarterback Keenan Reynolds, who set a record today for the most career rushing touchdowns by a quarterback.
Again South Alabama responded early in the fourth quarter after recovering a Navy fumble and giving themselves the short field with 11:33 left in the game.
Keenan Reynolds added another touchdown to the record books to go up 42-27 with 8:22 left. Navy and Jaguar fans alike thought the game was all but over.
Brandon Bridge loaded up and threw a 48-yard touchdown pass to Shavarez Smith to pull within eight of Navy with 5:31 left in the game. Navy had good field position after a short kickoff failed to allow the Jaguars a chance to recover the kick.
On 3rd and 9, Montell Garner forced Navy to fumble the ball for the third time in the game and the Jaguars recovered. Bridge successfully moved the chains on fourth down and found Jereme Jones for a 10-yard touchdown with only 39-seconds remaining for a score of 42-40.
Then theatrics began.
On the first attempt at a 2-point conversion, Bridge completed a pass over the middle, but a flag for ineligible receiver down field backed up USA to the 8 yard line for a second attempt.
On the second attempt, Brandon took the snap and rolled out to his left under pressure. He sprinted towards the end zone when he saw no one between him and the goal line. He leaped over a Navy defender around the 3 yard line and tumbled into the end zone, but this time it was negated by a hold.
On the third attempt from the 18 yard line, Navy blitzed and forced Bridge to roll to his left again, but this time he threw off-balance to the right side of the end zone and it was short for Shavarez Smith and intercepted three yards into the end zone.
Navy out gained South Alabama 430-415 and added 388 yards to their nation-leading total. The Jags rushed for 238 yards and threw for 177 more.
Terrance Timmons rushed 15 times for 124 yards and a touchdown as Kendall Houston added 80 yards on 21 carries for the Jaguars. Brandon Bridge went 19-of-28 for 172 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions. Hunter Vaughn went 2-of-3 for 5 yards.
Shavarez Smith caught six passes for 80 yards and two touchdowns. Danny Woodson caught five for 49 yards and a touchdown and Jereme Jones caught three passes for 21 yards and a touchdown.
Navy quarterback Keenan Reynolds ran 10 times for 119 yards and three touchdowns. Noah Copeland rushed 17 times for 112 yards and two touchdowns. Chris Swain ran nine times for 64 yards and a touchdown for the midshipmen. Reynolds was 1-of-4 passing for 42 yards.
The Midshipmen earned bowl-eligible status ahead of their annual season finale game against Army. South Alabama will wait to see if they receive a bowl invitation. The likely candidates for an invite include the GoDaddy Bowl in Mobile or the Camellia Bowl in Montgomery.
Monday Press Conference – Navy Edition
South Alabama head football coach Joey Jones was joined by defensive back Terrell Brigham and offensive lineman Melvin Meggs when he met with the media for their weekly press conference. They recapped the Jaguars loss at South Carolina and previewed Friday’s regular-season finale against Navy.
Coach Jones’ on Senior Day. “We had a great meeting about our seniors Sunday. We voted for permanent team captains, which will be released on game day Friday. Some of the guys came in here in 2010, which was the second year of our program. They came in and helped build this dream of where we are now – our second year in Division I and being bowl eligible and hopefully getting in a bowl (game). Our guys have done a great job of leading this football team and getting to that point. Our seniors are certainly a huge part of that.”
Jones on the team’s mindset entering this week. “I told the team on Sunday that I was extremely proud of the way they played. Now, do we need to take care of the football? Yes, we have to be able to do that. But they played hard with intensity and passion and without fear. They did all those things. Minus a few turnovers, and I think the game is different. And I’m sure they (South Carolina) would say the same thing. They turned the ball over five times as well. But other than that, I thought our kids played extremely hard. I was proud of them. So mindset-wise, we played the way we were supposed to play minus a few exceptions there. Going into this week, everyone understands the Navy offense and how good and disciplined they are. We have to be a very disciplined ball team this week, and be a team that is not intimidated by what they do. We need to go out there and play well. We have guys who can make plays and go out there and not make mistakes, so I always tell them most teams lose ball games – they don’t win them. We have to keep from losing it; I think that’s any team. You have to stay away from those mistakes.”
Jones talks about defending Navy’s triple option attack. “Fundamentally, we’re telling our guys to play your assignment and we should be good. That’s what we need to do defensively, and that’s one thing our coaching staff has done in trying to put our game plan in – let’s not get overwhelmed by what they’re doing. Are they good at it? Yeah. Is it a different offense? Yeah, but what we’re asking you (defense) to do is the same thing we ask you to do all the time which is play good technique football.”
Jones talks about hosting Navy in Mobile. “I’m honored to have them come to Mobile. (Former USA Director of Athletics) Joe Gottfried kind of set this game up in the first year or so. Getting a program like Navy to come here is a big deal. We want to play teams like that. We went out against South Carolina, and even though we didn’t win, we played well. We need to play better, but when you play team like Navy – they’re a nationally-known team that took Notre Dame down to the wire and beat Georgia Southern last week. They’re a very good football team and everyone knows it. If you can somehow get in there and beat them, it becomes something you put on the wall forever in a place like ours. So it’s a great opportunity for us.”
Jones on the differences between Navy and Georgia Southern, the other triple-option offense the Jaguars faced this season. “Philosophy-wise it’s the same. They do most everything under center. They do some things from the shotgun. Georgia Southern was completely out of the shotgun. So it does change things a little. Our kids are a little more comfortable seeing a quarterback in shotgun as opposed to under center, but it’s triple-option football either way you put it. They (Navy) probably don’t throw it quite as much, and there are more cut blocks that our defense has to endure – but that’s football.”
Jones on Navy quarterback Keenan Reynolds. “He’s their best athlete on offense. He has the ball in his hands every play, and he’s making a play. He’s a good one. I noticed last year when they played Western Kentucky, he got hurt and they scored seven points. The rest of the year they’re probably averaging 38 or 40 points per game. That’s how much difference he makes on that football team. He makes the right reads, he’s smart, he can run it, and if you put too many people in the box he can throw it past you. It’s kind of a deal where our defense has to decide what to do. We’re not going to be able to guess right all the time, but we have to be smart about what we do and not give up any big plays.”
Jones talks about this senior class. “The thing that makes you feel good about these guys, a lot of these guys came here in 2010 and some of them took a chance on South Alabama at that point and now here they are leading this team in Division I football and hopefully into a bowl game. That’s the thing that I prayed about in the offseason, was that these guys could get honored in that way. I wanted to win a conference championship as well, but the second thing was getting in a bowl. I can’t tell you how gratifying it was after that Texas State game for them to come through, and know that they made themselves bowl eligible. That senior class that came in here and took a chance and said, ‘Hey, we’re going to get in a bowl one day.’ Hopefully that’s going to happen in 2014.”
Jones on the team’s progress from the first game of the season to this point. “We’re a lot better football team now, obviously. I think our defense has really grown into a great defense. I think our defense was solid to good early in the year. But I think we have turned into a great defense. I consider this a great defense on the Sun Belt level. Offensively, we have struggled at times. We’ve turned the ball over too much lately, but at times we have looked like a million dollars. We had a three-game stretch earlier in the season where we were moving it pretty good. We beat Appalachian State and had 40 points by the third quarter, and you look at what they’re doing now; they’re a good football team. We were playing some good football there for a while, we just have to get back to that and execute better offensively.”
Offensive lineman Melvin Meggs talks about senior day. “It’s been a long time coming. We’ve been here five years, so we’ve been through a lot, and it’s finally winding down. It’s surreal, and I’m a little taken back by it, but the vibe is good; we all know what we have to do this Friday. It’s another game that we have to prepare for and get ready to execute.”
Meggs talks about playing a nationally-recognized program in Navy. “That’s what you play for – the games under the big lights. What better way to end it? They play hard, they don’t quit. You just have to face it; that’s the team that’s on the schedule next. We’ve just got to go back to our basics, sharpening our fundamentals. We’ll play hard and play with good technique, and the best men win.”
Meggs talks about the memories he will take with him from his time at South Alabama. “We were very honored to have grown up under senior classes that included Justin Dunn and Charlie Higgenbotham, amongst others. Those guys taught us how to do it the right way. As a freshman, you feed off that and subconsciously take those qualities yourself. Hopefully, that keeps rolling on and becomes the culture around South Alabama. We had our ups and downs over the years, but we’re kind of a relentless program. You hit us in the mouth; we’re going to come back. The coaches have done a great job of bringing guys here that have what we call the ‘Heart of a Jaguar.'”
Defensive back Terrell Brigham talks about senior day. “We’ve been doing this for five years, since the beginning years of the program. We came here to play the top competition.”
Brigham talks about his role against Navy’s triple-option coming up on Friday. “[Studying] film this week is key. You have to pay attention to your keys every Saturday, of course, but this week you have to be disciplined with your eyes, knowing who you’ve got and what you have to do on any given play. They also chop block, and you have to work on that in practice.”
South Alabama and Navy will begin at 2pm on Friday at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. There will be a slight change in parking and shuttle service due to Black Friday shopping. Instead of parking and riding the shuttle from Bel Air Mall, the shuttle service will be running from Lipscomb Field located on Michael Boulevard just off of Montlimar Drive. Service will begin four hours prior to kickoff and will end 90 minutes after the conclusion of the game. The cost will remain the same, $2.50 round trip per person.
The address is 3610 Michael Blvd, Mobile, AL 36609.
Jags Fall to South Carolina 37-12
Defensive coordinator Travis Pearson works works with the defense between series on the sidelines in Columbia, SC.
South Alabama and South Carolina combined for 10 turnovers, five each, but the Gamecocks were too much for the Jaguars as they won 37-12 in Columbia, SC.
It was a tale of two halves. In the first half the Jaguars dominated the time of possession with a 20:45 to 9:15 edge, but trailed 17-9 on the scoreboard despite the Jaguars throwing three interceptions in the second quarter.
But it was in the red zone where the Jaguars struggled the most. They reached the two yard line twice early in the game but each time had to settle for field goals. Three of the four field goals by the Jaguars were inside 30 yards and the fourth was from 31 yards out.
The momentum shifted in the second quarter when Hunter Vaughn floated a pass out to the left flat and Gamecock Brison Williams picked it off and returned 21 yards for a touchdown. At that point USC was up 17-6 with 8:58 left in the second quarter. From that point forward, the Jaguar offense seemed to go from confident to desperate.
Up to that point, the Jaguars had put together two drives of 14 plays each and consuming over six minutes per drive, though each ended with field goals rather than touchdowns.
The pick six began a string of three consecutive possessions where the Jaguars possessions would end with interceptions.
Brandon Bridge came in late in the first half to relieve Vaughn and only attempted one pass, but drove the Jaguars down to the 2 yard line and settled for a field goal with two seconds left in the half. But Vaughn would return to the game in the fourth quarter.
At halftime the Jaguars had out gained the Gamecocks 207-193 and had run almost double the offensive plays than the Gamecocks (45-24).
But second half was all Gamecocks as they outscored the Jaguars 20-3.
Preview: Jaguars and Gamecocks
What: South Alabama Jaguars (6-4) at South Carolina Gamecocks (5-5)
Where: Columbia, SC. Williams-Brice Stadium
When: Saturday, kickoff 11AM CST.
How to Watch: Fox Sports South
How to Listen: Lite Mix 99.9FM in Mobile, iHeartRadio platform
Line: South Carolina by 25.5
South Alabama travels to Columbia, SC to take on the Ol’ Ball Coach, Steve Spurrier, and his South Carolina Gamecocks. This is the second SEC team the Jaguars have faced this season. They lost their home-opener to Mississippi State 35-3.
But the Jaguars have come a long way since that game and have clinched bowl eligibility. The only thing left is to finish the regular season, hopefully with a bang. What a bang it would be to sneak a win out of Columbia!
But the Jaguars will have to play a near flawless game to do it. Against Texas State they overcame four turnovers, three of them being fumbles on three-consecutive possessions all in their own territory. But the Jaguar defense only allowed 10 points off of those three turnovers. They won’t be so lucky against an SEC team.
In their first five wins of the season, the Jags only turned the ball over twice. In their four losses they have turned the ball over 11 times. Bottom line, they have to protect the ball.
In all six of their wins they have rushed for over 150 yards in each of them. They probably won’t be able to just start out running the ball against the Gamecocks, so they will have to used their passing game to make the defense play honest and allow some running lanes to open up. USA likes to test defenses deep and if they can complete some of those passes that will go a long way to help open up the running game.
Hunter Vaughn stepped up big time against Texas State. He has prepared this week as if he’s going to be the starter because it is unknown if Brandon Bridge will be back 100% from his injury. The decision on who will start at quarterback will probably be announced just prior to kickoff. Teams routinely utilize graduate assistants to pour through social media and websites to glean any tidbit of information that may help their team.
Each team has had ups and downs. South Carolina was picked as one of the top SEC teams and to compete for the SEC East crown, but right now getting bowl eligible for their 10th consecutive season is their goal. Coach Spurrier keeps getting asked about his future at South Carolina, they wonder if he will even be there in 2015. These questions and their upcoming game next weekend against rival Clemson could have the team looking beyond this fledgeling football team from the Sun Belt coming into Williams-Brice Stadium.
That could work in the Jaguars favor.
If they could get some early success, score points, convert third-downs and rest the defense, they could make it a long day for South Carolina. And with a little luck the Jaguars could come out with a win.
But rest assured those boys from the South will be playing their hearts out in Columbia.
Go Jags!
USA v Navy has Kickoff Time
South Alabama announced the kickoff time for their regular-season finale against Navy at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. The Friday, November 28th game, the day after Thanksgiving, will begin at 2pm CST.
The Game will be broadcast on ESPN3 as well as over the radio via Lite Mix 99.9FM and the iHeartRadio app.
Navy is 5-5 after a convincing win over Georgia Southern last weekend. The midshipmen have the week off before traveling to Mobile to face the Jaguars. They will then play their annual regular-season finale against Army on December 6.
Colby Sawyer Named Honorary SBC Player of the Week; Monday Press Conference – USC Edition
Colby Sawyer with South Alabama student-athletes during his visit with coach Jones and and the team prior to the Monday press conference. | Photo: al.com usajaguars.com
The Sun Belt Conference named 11-year-old Colby Sawyer the Honorary Sun Belt Football Player of the Week on Monday. Sawyer, an inspiration to the Jaguar football team, signed his National Letter of Intent with the program a week ago and joined head coach Joey Jones for his weekly press conference, made his first appearance with the team on Saturday against Texas State.
Sawyer signed with the Jags as part of Team Impact which helps match kids with chronic or life-threatening illnesses to teams. He was diagnosed in June of 2012 with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and had over a year of chemotherapy treatments as a patient at USA Children’s and Women’s Hospital.
After signing with the Jags he received his own locker, jersey and other USA team items. He was with the team during their bus trip to the stadium, through pregame warm-ups, and when Coach Jones was addressing the team. He was also led the team out onto the field. And he was also on the sidelines when the Jaguars rallied from 10 points down and held on in the final seconds to defeat Texas State to earn bowl eligibility and most likely their first bowl invitation.
Derek Westbrook, who is a member of the student athlete advisory committee (SAAC), had a part in helping to make this possible. The senior attended the Sun Belt’s SAAC conference this past summer in New Orleans as a representative from South Alabama. He was also recognized during halftime recently as being a member of the South Alabama Cross Country team who won the SBC Title this season.
“Colby has impressed all of us throughout the Sun Belt with his spirit for the Jags and his inspiration to the team,” Sun Belt Commissioner Karl Benson said. “Colby is unquestionably deserving of this award and all of the recognition that he has received.”
Team IMPACT’s mission is to match kids facing life-threatening and chronic illnesses with teams throughout the United States. So far they have placed 560 kids with 280 schools in 37 states, one of their latest being Sawyer.
Press Conference
Jags Earn Bowl Eligibility, Inside Track to Bowl Game with 24-20 Win over Texas State in final seconds
South Alabama gathers around Colton Sawyer at midfield prior to kickoff against Texas State.
The University of South Alabama football team overcame injuries, turnovers, allowing 10 points in the first quarter, and a last minute drive by Texas State to hold on for a 24-20 win to close out Sun Belt play.
The game could not have started worse for the Jaguar offense. Three-consecutive fumbles in their own territory yielded 10 points for the Bobcats in the first quarter.
“We had three turnovers in the first quarter, and that wasn’t good, but we were only down 10 points,” head coach Joey Jones explained. “I felt pretty fortunate to be in that situation. The defense came out and fought as they always do.”
The first turnover occurred at the Jaguar 44 and the bobcats took advantage by converting on 3rd and 12 with a 16 yard completion to keep the drive alive after which they would eventually punch it in for the first points of the game.
On the next Jaguar drive Jerrid Jeter-Gilmon forced a fumble by Xavier Johnson, who was also injured on the play and missed the remainder of the game. The bobcats started at the Jaguar 33, but the defense was not allowing another touchdown. Instead the bobcats were forced to kick a 41-yard field goal to take a 10-0 lead late in the first quarter.
The ensuing kickoff was being returned by T.J. Glover when the ball was popped into the air and caught by a Texas State defender at the Jaguar 28-yard line. But again the defense was not going to allow a touchdown. On third and one, Theo Rich stopped the running back for a two yard loss. Then the 38-yard field goal attempt would miss wide left.
The Jaguars would get on the board with about 10 minutes left in the half on and eight play, 56-yard drive for a touchdown. Terrance Timmons gained 29 yards on the drive and moved the chains twice. Vaughn kept the drive alive on fourth-and-three when he found Jereme Jones open for a seven-yard completion. Vaughn would toss a lateral to Jake Howton who would throw it back across the field to Vaughn who would then go 28-yards untouched for the Jaguars first touchdown of the game making it 10-7.
Texas State would regain a 10-point advantage with just over four minutes left in the opening half when tight end Lawrence White was left open running a seam route for a 46-yard touchdown.
The Jags would add a field goal with 1:16 left in the half after Kendall Houston found an opening and ran 31 yards. Aleem Sunanon hit a career-long 46-yard field goal to cut the bobcat lead to 17-10 which would also be the score at halftime.
South Alabama came out in the second half with a renewed energy and determination and held Texas State to just 115 yards and three points.
“Our offensive and defensive staffs did a great job of making adjustments in the second half,” Jones said. “Our kids never gave up, and never had a look in their eyes that they were done. I felt good about it the whole time. I was a little nervous on that last play, but they came up with the play and made it to win the ballgame. It’s a great win for this university.”
USA opened the second half with the ball and only needed four minutes to tie the game. Vaughn kept the drive alive with a 14-yard pass to Bowman on third-and-13. He could come back to Bowman again to gain 45 yards to the Bobcat 9 yard line. Two plays later Vaughn connected with Danny Woodson II in the back corner of the end zone for his first career touchdown pass.
The Jaguars would finally take the lead with just over 12 minutes left in regulation. Terrance Timmons would cap off a 10-play 63 yard drive that took four-and-a-half minutes. The possession began with Timmons breaking off an 11 yard run. Vaughn converted third-and-2 when a 10-yard completion to Bowman on the last play of the third quarter. Kendall Houston set up Timmons for the touchdown after carrying the ball four consecutive times, including a 15 yarder on his first touch.
USA’s defense forced a three-and-out after Maleki Harris stopped Terrence Franks for no gain on a third-and-one. But the on the Jaguars possession, was they were moving the ball, Vaughn’s pass was intercepted along the left sideline and returned to the Jaguars 25 yard line. A nine-yard completion on first down led to a third-and-one at the Jaguar 16, but Maleki Harris blitz up the middle with perfect timing with the snap count to blow up the play and drop Robert Lowe for a four-yard loss. Texas State settled for a field goal to cut the Jaguar lead to 24-20 with over four minutes remaining.
The Texas State defense stiffened and the Jags could not muster a first down and gave the ball back to the Bobcats with two-and-a-half minutes remaining.
A 21-yard completion from quarterback Jones to Brandon Smith on fourth-and-seven kept the drive alive, as did a pass interference call on a third-and-18 at the Jaguar 39 yard line. They could continue to move the ball until they reached the Jaguar 4 yard line with five seconds left on the clock after spiking the ball. The final pass of the game fell incomplete as the Jaguar team broke into celebration.
Hunter Vaughn, the third string quarterback coming into this week, got his first start when Brandon Bridge was not ready to return to the field. Vaughn was an efficient 20-of-28 for 182 yards, a touchdown and an interception. He spread the ball around to seven different receivers with Jereme Jones leading the team with five receptions for 37 yards. Braedon Bowman caught four for 81 yards, Danny Woodson also caught four for 30 yards and a touchdown. Shavarez Smith caught three for 21 yards.
Terrance Timmons led the team on the ground with 74 yards on 11 carries. Houston added 68 yards on 10 carries as the Jaguars rushed for 174 yards as a team with an average of five yards per attempt.
Terrell Brigham had a career-high 12 stops to lead USA. Harris added nine with Jesse Kelley and Davin Hawkins both adding eight each. Kelley had 2.5 tackles for loss and two sacks.
The Jaguar defense held the Texas State running game to only 106 yards, they came into the game averaging 227 yards rushing per game.
“First of all, my hat’s off to Texas State — what a game,” Jaguar head coach Joey Jones said. “Last year it came down to the last play of the game, and it did again this year. They have a great program. [Head] Coach [Dennis] Franchione does one heck of a job with that team, we knew it was going to be a tough one. We went all week long knowing that this was do-or-die for us to get into a bowl game.
“I just want to commend our players and my staff who have done so much in preparation to get to this point. They believed all week long, and they believed the entire game. We got behind and had a few early turnovers, but they didn’t panic. I thought we played a wonderful ballgame. Hunter Vaughn came in at quarterback and did a heck of a job even though he really hasn’t practice all year long. My hat’s off to him as well as the rest of the players on this football team, they did a tremendous thing today. We obviously have a chance to get into a bowl now with six wins, and we’re going to be a good one for somebody. We’re excited about it. It could be the first bowl game in South Alabama history.”
“We live in a one-play world, don’t we with our football team? We came up a play or two short tonight,” TSU head coach Dennis Franchione stated. “South Alabama did a nice job. I thought their quarterback did a better job in the second half and that was big for them. We still were able to get down there [in scoring position] and have a chance to win the game, we just didn’t quite get it done.”
South Alabama improves to 6-4 overall and 5-3 in Sun Belt play. Texas State falls to 5-5 overall and 3-3 in conference play.
The Jaguars travel to Columbia, SC to face South Carolina on Saturday for an 11AM CST kickoff.