South Alabama improves offense in last spring scrimmage

South Alabama went to the practice fields for their last spring scrimmage, and the offense blossomed; just as the Jaguars had hope.

South Alabama offense switched over to the spread offense last season under new offensive coordinator Robert Matthews. The jaguars had a few problems adapting to the new fast pace spread offense. However during spring practice the Jaguars have taken to the practice fields of South Alabama to get better for a better season this fall.  On yesterday head Coach Joey Jones described it as better than when they first got started.

The offense of South Alabama improved their running game and produced bigger plays through the air and really showed that the Jaguars can get it done.

While Ross Methany is expected to be the starting quarterback again this fall, there are others putting in hard work to compete for that job and for that second spot at quarterback. Brandon Bridge an FCS transfer from Jackson State, didn’t get no playing time last season; but he is looking for a chance to shine come this fall. Brandon Bridge connected with Jake Howton for a 33 yard completion to mark the longest pass play of the scrimmage.  Davin Hawkins posted four catches for 71 yards and a 29 yard scoring pass from Brandon Bridge.  Ross Methany connected with Bryant Lavender with 4 catches for 52 yards including a 13 yard touchdown.

Julien Valentin ran for 49 yards on his second carry of the day, ending with a team leading 63 yards on eight attempts; and Demetre Baker chipped in with 56 more on 10 rushes.  The two combined to add 21 yards on two completions as well.

Head coach Joey Jones said they ran the ball much better on yesterday during the scrimmage, something they wasn’t able to do last season. He also said the defense is coming together much better as well, and that the defensive players are flying around to the ball a lot faster than before.

The Jaguars will practice again on Tuesday and Thursday, before the Spring Red and White game on Saturday, April 6^th at 2:00pm at Ladd Pebbles Stadium in Mobile, AL. 

South Alabama football adds Six “JUCO” transfer to their rooster for 2013

JUCO's signs with South Alabama 

Six junior-college transfers is headed to the University of South Alabama football program in the spring after signing National Letters-of-Intent with the school on Wednesday, head coach Joey Jones announced.

1.       Cristobal Dinham from Independence (Kan.) C.C.,

2.       Steffon and Steven Fuller from East Central (Miss.) C.C., both are twins.

3.      Navarro (Texas) J.C.'s Montell Garner, Jay Jones -- who attended Northeast Mississippi C.C. in the fall  

4.      Desmond LaVelle of Northwest Mississippi C.C.

Each JUCO will enroll in school in January and be eligible to participate in spring drills, and earn a spot on the South Alabama Jaguars rooster for playing time as a starter. Each of these JUCO comes with playing experience but must learn Division 1 play.

"I think we have upgraded our team for sure,” said Coach Joey Jones.

South Alabama is now a full fledge NCAA Division 1 member, and they can now compete for the Sun Belt Championship and Post Season Bowl Games. 

A blow to the Sun Belt Conference: Middle Tennessee headed to C-USA

College football re-alignment may have found its way to Sun Belt Avenue once again. There is possible word that the Sun Belt Conference may be taking some more big hits, as they sit still and watch it all unfold in this business of college conference re-alignment.

                                                                                                                                                                               

On yesterday C-USA took another blow when Tulane and East Carolina decided to leave together for the changing Big East Conference.  So that caused another wave of conference shuffling. And this is no joke but reality. My question in all this is what is the Sun Belt Conference doing to do to survive and fight back. Or are they doing anything? We have not heard anything from the Sun Belt on any front, but in this regards the same old news headliner comments over and over again. It’s time for some action and details.

Rumors are out today that Middle Tennessee State is possibly headed to Conference USA. We will wait to see if this unfolds exactly how it sounds. There is no doubt that C-USA will be looking to replace their two lost members.

Conference USA is doing it to the Sun Belt Conference once again, just like they did it to the WAC. And now the Sun Belt has to go out and scramble to find schools that are willing to come in now and that are capable of being in the FBS.

Word is also that Western Kentucky may follow suit, but their TV market may hold them back. It is word out today that their soccer program is moving to the Pac-12, Oh REALLY? What is going on with the Sun Belt?

There are some potential candidates to bring into the Sun Belt Conference immediately, and the Sun Belt Conference and its board should hold a special called tele-conference meeting to discuss extending a conference invitation to the following schools. These schools may be waiting for an invitation, Georgia Southern, New Mexico State, Lamar, Jacksonville State, and Liberty. However Appalachian State made it known they are ready, but the question is will they now get invited to Conference USA as they have lost East Carolina in that region.

When all is said and done, it is better that the Sun Belt Conference act now than later. Sitting back and watching it unfold is not the brightest idea. If the Sun Belt Conference would like to stay a step ahead of Confernce USA they will need to go out and recruit and extend that hand that they continue to hold together and show love to those who wants to be loved. So all programs can begin to build and continue the great work the Sun Belt has started.

Middle Tennessee is another program that can leave without an exit fee to the conference. The Sun Belt Conference just lets other conference have their way with our conference.  SHAME!

Good Bye MIDDLE TENNESSEE!