South Alabama Blue team wins 2013 spring game 33-24

South Alabama held its Annual Spring Game on Saturday at Ladd Pebbles Stadium. The Jags play a spring game that was full of excitement and very physical. 

In front of a big crowd at Ladd Pebbles Stadium, attendance is unknown at this time; the Jags really showed that they are determined to be better in 2013 than they were last season. In Saturday spring game the Blue team made the first scoring drive led by Quarterbacks Brandon Bridge and Trey Fretner. Even head coach Joey Jones think his team perform well on Saturday than before.

The improvements I seen during Saturday game was the tempo of the Jags offense under the direction of Coordinator Robert Matthews. South Alabama two offenses (Blue & Red) combined for 666 yards of total offense, the Blue coming in with the most at 362. Blue quarterback Brandon Bridge was 10-of-18 passing for 169 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Bridge is competing for the starting spot and is an eligible to play this season after transferring from Alcon State last season. Bridge showed that he has a quick and strong arm and able to connect with players. Brandon also can run, he doesn’t mind running the ball if he has to and when there is an opportunity.

Also on the Blue team QB Trey Fetner of the Blue; Fretner scored a pair of touchdowns, both on 1-yard runs. He carried the ball six times for 35 yards and also threw for 51 yards. Fretner also is a running quarterback; he don’t mind running the ball.

South Alabama offense produce more running in their offense than before, that’s a plus in this new spread fast tempo offense the Jags is adapting.

Red team offense came back with some answers but not enough for defeat the Blue team. The Red team was led by QB Ross Methany, Grant Powell and Kolt Peavy.  Methany the starting QB going into spring game was 7-of-11 for 78 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. Methany carried the ball three times for 14 yards.

E.J May picked off two of the passes with Tyrell Pearson getting the other of QB Ross Methany. Redshirt freshman Grant Powell was 5-of-9 for 41 yards and had six carries for 40 yards. Kolt Peavey was 5-of-7 for 41 yards passing and had three carries for 18 yards.

On Defense I seen better play on the field than last season, I believe the defense is getter after the Quarterback more quickly and there are more physical than before. This is an area of improvements that will help the Jags win some of those close games like the one at Mississippi State and Arkansas State last season.

The Blue defense was led by Qudarius Ford and Cordivido Grice with seven stops each. May, Enrique Williams, Pearson and Bryson James had five stops each. The Red defense was led by Eric Miller's six stops. Hawkins and Ceasare Johnson had five each and Desmond LaVelle had four. Alex Page had the game's only sack.

I can say that is a much improved team than last year and previous years. I see bigger players and more experience in the game. Go Jaguars!

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 back in the game as they lose a tight game to Arkansas State 36-29

The much needed changes with a new starting quarterback to lead the offense showed that was what the Jaguars of South Alabama needed. South Alabama lost to Arkansas State Red Wolves by a touchdown. What a improved team and stats since their three game losing streak.

Arkansas State fought back to keep a win at home in Jonesboro with a 36-29 victory over South Alabama.

 

This is the team that I want to see in South Alabama a team that I love and support. A couple of the most improved is the reductions of turnovers and interceptions. And then the quarterback and offense got more end zone action for touchdowns. South Alabama Jaguars produced (3) touchdowns in Saturday game against Arkansas State.

South Alabama lead the first road game in the Sun Belt Conference in stats. The Jaguars came out with the most first downs, the most in passing and rushing yards and 4^th down conversions.

South Alabama QB Ross Metheny led the Jag with 241 passing yards to Arkansas State QB Ryan Aplin 203 passing yards. On the ground rushing the Jaguars lead the Red Wolves with 132 yards to 113 for the Red Wolves.

With first quarter action Kendall Houston caught a 4 Yd Pass From South Alabama QB Ross Metheny to give the Jags their first score and touchdown.

With 11:55 remaining in the 4th Quarter, Taylor Stockemer caught a 9 Yd Pass from Arkansas State QB Ryan Aplin and a (David Oku Run for Two-Point Conversion) put the Red Wolves in a position to cap the win for a victory over South Alabama.

South Alabama returns home to prepare for their homecoming game against Florida Atlantic at Ladd Pebbles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. This is a game where I expect South Alabama to get their first conference win.