USA Gameday: Jags Vs Kent State
It’s homecoming for the Jaguars. They have only played one home game in the month of September and this is their first and only home game in the month of October. These guys are ready to play in front of a home crowd.
They will be wearing their RED jerseys and white pants. In a “Jaguar Red Out”, the first 10,000 fans to the stadium will receive a red Jaguar Rally Towel. The game will be broadcast on ESPN3 online, WSNP 105.5FM will have play-by-play coverage in the Mobile area and can also be streamed world wide on www.wnsp.com.
As always, parking is limited at Ladd-Peebles Stadium and only season ticket holders have access to purchase parking passes. Parking near Ladd-Peebles is available but it is not controlled nor managed by South Alabama or Ladd-Peebles Stadium.
Shuttle service is available by The Wave. It will run continuously from 10am until 90 minutes after the end of the game. They run from Bel Air Mall with pickup and dropoff in the parking lot south of Target and JC Penny. The lot is well lit and has security provided by USA.
The “Jaguar Prowl” is scheduled for 11:40 AM. The players will walk along the south side of the stadium from the east to west side with Jaguar coaches, cheerleaders, Southpaw and the Jaguar Marching Band.
Their opponents are the Kent State Golden Flashes from the Mid-American Conference. Kent State have played a tough schedule so far. They have non-conference losses against LSU and Penn State as well as conference losses against the top three teams in the conference so far: Northern Illinois, Ball State and Bowling Green.
Injuries have been a problem for the Golden Flashes, their starting quarterback, redshirt freshman Colin Reardon, is expected to miss the game with an ankle injury. Along with Reardon, sophomore punter and placekicker Anthony Melchiori, one of the top punters in the nation, is also expected to miss the game. Star defensive tackle Roosevelt Nix is questionable for the game due to a nagging back injury and will be a game-time decision along with several other starters for the Golden Flashes.
South Alabama had some injuries early that impacted the team. Offensive lineman Melvin Meggs tore his ACL in summer workouts. Defensive end Will Thompson injured his ankle that required surgery in preseason camp. Randon Carnathan injured his Achilles’ heel against Tulane and will miss the remainder of the season. But since then, the Jags have been quite healthy.
If possible, Roosevelt Nix will play as he is probable the best player at his position the Jags will face this season. He is an impact player and the Jags will have to figure out a way to limit his impact on the game.
After the Jags loss to Troy, South Alabama opened up competition for the placekicking duties. With two weeks of competition, Aleem Sunanon kept his job but he and Scott Garber will have their hands full as they will try to kick away from Dri Archer, a dangerous kick returner for the Golden Flashes.
So far this season, the quarterback position has been shared between Ross Metheny and Brandon Bridge. Metheny has been the starter with Bridge coming is as the change-up/change-of-pace quarterback for the Jags. How often and when will Bridge see playing time will be of interest to fans.
The Kent State offensive line will attempt to open holes for Dri Archer to run through against the Jaguar defense. Along with Archer, they have more talent in the backfield with Trayion Durham and Anthony Meray. Head coach Joey Jones expect the Golden Flashes to rely heavily on their rushing game against the Jags. The Jaguar rushing defense ranks 48th in the nation with an average of 146.2 yards per game allowed.
Go Jags! Beat Kent State!
Coaches Settle On Placekicker, Kickoff Duties
After opening up competition for the placekicker position after the Jags loss to Troy two weeks ago, the coaches have made their decision. Redshirt freshman Aleem Sunanon will continue handling both placekicking and kickoffs for the Jaguars.
Sunanon earned the position after competitions in spring practice and fall camp. However he did have an uncertain beginning against Southern Utah when he missed two attempts. He has also missed three of his last four official attempts (four of five if including a kick that was negated by a defensive penalty) and is 6-of-11 at field goal attempts for the season. He also had a PAT blocked in the loss to the Trojans.
Sunanon had pressure from redshirt freshman Logan Gunn and freshman walk-on Conner Kammerlocher but kept his position.
Jags Vs Kent State: By The Numbers
The Jags will host the Kent State Golden Flashes on Saturday in the Jags homecoming game. Kickoff for the game is set for 2pm at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Let’s take a look at Kent State’s stats from this season.
The Golden Flashes play in the Mid-American Conference. Their head coach, Paul Haynes, is in his first season with an overall record of 2-5 and 1-3 in conference play.
Offensively the Golden Flashes average 336 yards of total offense per game which breaks down to 152.1 yards per game rushing with five touchdowns on the season and 183.9 yards per game passing with 10 touchdowns on the season. They score, on average, 18.9 points per game with 17.8 first downs per game.
Meanwhile the South Alabama offense averages 30 points per game. They average 447.2 yards of total offense per game which breaks down to 158.6 yards rushing per game and 288.6 yards per game passing. The Jags have scored 12 rushing touchdowns and six through the air. They also average 22.2 first downs per game.
Kent State has fumbled 12 times on the season and lost five of them. They have also been penalized 42 times for 347 yards. They convert 40.6% of their 3rd down attempts and 50% of their 4th down conversion attempts. In the red zone, they have come away with points 13 of their 17 trips with 9 of them being touchdowns.
USA converts 40% of their 3rd down conversion attempts and 33% of their 4th down conversion attempts. The Jags have scored on 15 of their 21 red zone trips with 12 of them being touchdowns and have been penalized 37 times for 294 yards on the season.
KSU averages 44 yards per punt and have made 6-of-11 field goal attempts. But Kent State quarterbacks have been sacked nine times for a total loss of 53 yards.
Defensively, the Golden Flashes allow an average of 29.9 points per game and 23.1 first downs per game. Opponents gain an average of 466.1 yards per game which breaks down to 224.1 yards per game rushing with 13 touchdowns and 242.0 yards per game passing with 14 touchdowns.
The Jaguar defense allows an average of 30 points per game. Opponents average 406.4 yards per game of total offense which breaks down to 146.2 yards per game rushing and 260.2 yards per game through the air. Opponents have scored five rushing touchdowns and has scored 13 passing touchdowns.
Kent State opponents convert 45.5% of their 3rd down attempts and 42.9% of 4th down attempts. Opponents have scored on 28-of-34 red zone trips with 22 of them being touchdowns.
Jaguar opponents are converting just 42% of their 3rd down conversion attempts and 50% of their 4th down conversion attempts. Opponents have scored on 20 of 23 trips into the red zone with 14 of them being touchdowns.
Trayion Durham is the leading rusher for the Golden Flashes with 493 yards and three touchdowns. Colin Reardon is next in line with 222 yards rushing with a touchdown. Reardon is the leading quarterback with a 59.4% completion rate. He is 120-of-202 for 1199 yards and 10 touchdowns. He has also thrown four interceptions.
Reardon’s top receiver is Chris Humphrey with 36 catches for 433 yards and three touchdowns. Next in line is Tyshon Goode with 23 catches for 231 yards and a touchdown.
Kent State average time of possession per game is 31:17. South Alabama’s average time of possession is 29:13.
Kickoff Time Announced For Nov. 2 Game Against Arkansas State
The University of South Alabama announced a kickoff time of 6:30pm for their game against Arkansas State at Ladd-Peebles Stadium on November 2.
This will be the schools annual Hall Of Fame Game.
This will be one of three athletic events happening on campus that weekend. On Friday, the Volleyball team will face off against Arkansas State Red Wolves at 7pm in Jag Gym. The Athletics Department will hold their Hall of Fame induction ceremony at the Laidlaw Performing Arts Center on Saturday at 10am. Then at 1:05pm the Lady Jaguar basketball team will tip off an exhibition game against the University of Mobile.
USA Football Press Conference
On Monday South Alabama held their weekly press conference. They previewed the upcoming homecoming game against Kent State. Below are some highlights.
Head coach Joey Jones began with his opening statement. “We know Kent State is a very good football team. But we’re focusing on is ourselves like we always have. I believe that’s really important. We had a great week last week. Last Wednesday’s practice was our best practice of the year. We’re a little ahead on the game plan, we just have to continue to perfect it.”
“They have the standout guys,” Jones continued concerning Kent State. “Everyone knows about Roosevelt Nix. He is a great player. Dre Archer is an extremely fast guy. When he has the ball in his hands, you just kind of hold your breath, he is a good player. They have a lot of good players. They’re offensive linemen are big, physical guys, as are the defensive linemen. They are just well-coached and know how to play the game. We are going to have to play a really good game to beat these guys.”
Jones spoke about Kent State’s experience playing in Ladd-Peebles Stadium. “I think it could help them, the fact that they have been here. It’s like any game, once you get between the lines it is a football game. But I think having played down here in the GoDaddy.com Bowl could help them.”
Jones also spoke about areas that the team has improved in since the beginning of the season. “We’ve become much more consistent offensively. Our quarterbacks are playing extremely well, the offensive line is better and we’re getting better play at receiver and running back. We’re just better overall, and have improved from a consistency standpoint. Our challenge is to play for four quarters. Defensively, our guys have a lot of confidence. We have a lot of seniors who understand what it takes. We’re playing real physical against the run. Stopping the run is always going to be important when you play defense. As we have progressed, we have gotten a better understanding of (defensive coordinator) Coach (Kevin) Sherrer’s system. The kicking game has been up and down. Overall, we’re doing some good things, but we don’t have the consistency right now in the kicking game that we need to win big ballgames. That’s something we’re working on right now.”
Senior wide receiver Bryant Lavender spoke about what he noticed about Kent State’s defensive lineman Roosevelt Nix when viewing game footage. “We played against Kent State a couple of years back and he was very explosive, as he is now. He has a quick first step and he’s a great player. He’s the type of player that when he’s in the game, his motor’s always running.”
Lavender also spoke about the team’s confidence at this point in the season. “Morale and confidence are high, because we know that we have the opportunity to win the game. It’s now more about concentrating on when we get in that situation and what we are going to do when we get in that situation. We know we are a good football team. We know that we are able to be in the game. It’s just about making the play that can get us the ‘W’.”
Defensive lineman Jesse Kelley spoke about how having a week off will help the team going into Kent State. “Having a bye week is also good because we have an opportunity to go home and see loved ones you haven’t seen throughout the busy football season, especially if you live three or four hours away. You’re also able to relax and take your mind off football and watch other football.”
He also spoke about where they feel they are at this point in the season. “We’re just taking it week-by-week and not looking over anyone. Our opponent this week is Kent State and we’re going to do whatever it takes to get the win versus Kent State. And next week, we’ll move on to the next opponent.”
The Jaguars and the Golden Flashes kick off at 2pm at Ladd-Peebles Stadium on Saturday as the Jags look to avenge their 33-25 loss in Kent, Ohio in 2011.
Sun Belt Conference In Rotation For New Bahamas Bowl
The Sun Belt Conference will be part of a rotation among five conference for the new Bahamas Bowl. Along with the Sun Belt the Mountain West Conference, Mid-American Conference, American Athletic Conference and Conference USA will make up the five conference rotation.
The inaugural Bahamas Bowl will kick off in December 2014 at the Thomas A. Robinson Stadium. The stadium current seats 15,000 people, but has the ability to be expanded to hold up to 30,000 and is named for the Olympian track and field star.
The agreement for this new bowl game is for the next six seasons beginning in 2014.
“The Sun Belt Conference is thrilled to be part of this new football bowl game,” Sun Belt Commissioner Karl Benson said. “Our student-athletes and fans look forward to being able to enjoy the history and traditions of Nassau and the country of the Bahamas while at the same time being part of the history that will come with this event.”
Earlier this year the Sun Belt worked out a connection with the new Camellia Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama while Conference USA was included in the rotation for the new Boca Raton Bowl just last week.
It is expected that a creation of a new bowl game to be played at Marlins Park in Miami that will be anchored by the American Athletic Conference.
Jags Continue To Prepare For Homecoming Game Against Kent State
The Jaguar football team continues to prepare for their homecoming match-up against Kent State set for Saturday at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. One of the positions that was problematic over the last few weeks, the placekicker position, was opened up for competition last week.
Coach Jones looks for more consistency and production at the position after a one-point loss to Troy. Redshirt freshman Aleem Sunanon missed a 22-yard field goal and had an extra point blocked. He also missed another field goal attempt, though it was unofficial due to a penalty giving the Jags a first down giving the the offense a fresh set of downs.
Sunanon is 6-of-11 on the season and has missed three of this last four attempts (four of five unofficially). The misses were from 17, 41 and 22 yards while making a 24-yard attempt in Tennessee.
Competing for the position are Sunanon, redshirt freshman Logan Gunn and freshman walk-on Conner Kammerlocher. Coach Jones will not choose one to fill the placekicker role on Saturday on Saturday until after the final practice on Thursday.
Since the Troy game and continuing through Thursday the coaches are charting everything they do. The position will go to the player who is the most consisten and successful through the two weeks leading up to Kent State.
In a season of close games, a consistent kicker will be the difference between winning and losing.
After A Good Practice, Jags Have Three Days Off
The South Alabama Jaguar football team had what coach Joey Jones said was probably one of the most spirited practices they have had all year on Wednesday. Maybe it was the thought of having three days off or maybe it was because the weather was nice with a hint of cool in the air.
“Defensively we came out ready to go, and that’s what we want out of them,” Jones told AL.com after practice
South Alabama Players thanking the fans for their support on the road in Knoxville, TN.
. “Come out – and you’ve got to have some fun. Our kids work, but you’ve also got to have some fun too. They brought that mixture of having fun and getting after it.”
This is the Jags second of three bye weeks this season. The team will have the next three days off before returning to the practice field on Sunday evening to resume preparation for homecoming against Kent State on Saturday, October 19.
Jones does not know if it’s a good time for the break in the schedule, but said that they will find out when the players return on Sunday. However he reminded them of their goals and that Kent State is a very good team so they will have to be ready for them by gameday.
The team has about three-quarters of the gameplan in place and should be quite healthy by kickoff on 2pm on October 19.
Get some rest Jaguars and come back ready to get a W against Kent State.
Go Jags!
USA’s Bryson James Nominated For Courage Award
Senior linebacker Bryson James was nominated for the FWAA Courage Award. Photo by John Adams | usajaguars.com
The University of South Alabama senior linebacker Bryson James was named as this week’s nominee for the 2013 Discover Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award as announced by the Football Writers Association of America.
James, a 6’2″ 235-pound New Orleans native was born prematurely and only weighed one pound. He had not developed skin and was able to be held in one hand. Doctors believed he would be mentally disabled and would never learn to walk. He proved them wrong.
Additionally, his mother Valorie has undergone two brain surgeries, the most recent was wen he was a high school senior to correct blood flow and to remove a tumor. His family has also suffered extensive damage due to both hurricane Katrina and tropical storm Isaac.
He has lettered four seasons for the Jaguars while tallying 107 total tackles, including four for loss, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and six passes defended. So far this season he as 16 tackles with six of them coming in the Jaguars 31-24 win over Western Kentucky.
The Courage Award was created by ESPN’s senior columnist Gene Wojciechowski. A select group of writers from the FWAA vote on the winner each year. To be nominated, a student-athlete must display courage on or off the field, including overcoming an injury or physical handicap, preventing a disaster or living through hardship.
This is the eighth straight year that the FWAA and the Discover Orange Bowl will announce weekly nominees throughout the season. A blue-ribbon panel of organization members will determine the winner from all of the nominees. The winner will be announced at the end of the season.
Troy Has Two Players Suspended For First Half Of Next Game By SBC Office
Troy will be without the services of two football players during the first half of their game against Georgia State this weekend.
Chris Pickett and Tyler Roberts were both ejected from the game against South Alabama. Pickett was ejected based on Rule 9-1-4 of the NCAA Football Rules And Interpretations which defines targeting and initiating contact to the head or neck area of a defenseless player. The penalty was called during the game and video review confirmed the call on the field. By rule, this penalty carries an automatic disqualification from the game as well as a half game suspention in the next game. Since the foul occurred late in the fourth quarter, Pickett will miss the first half of the Georgia State game.
Roberts will also be suspended for the first half of the Georgia State game due to Rule 9-1-3 which is targeting or initiating contact with the crown of the helmet. Though no penalty call was made on the field, video review after the game showed that the player led with his head and initiated contact directly to the chest of a defenseless South Alabama quarterback. The play occurred late in the third quarter and thus will also miss the first half of the next game.
Troy also had a player ejected in the first half of the game, but missing the second half fulfilled his suspension and will be available to play against Georgia State.