MOBILE, Ala. – As the clouds rolled in Friday morning, the University of South Alabama football team was able to get an hour-long situational scrimmage in before the rain started falling.
In a practice that was conducted in full pads, but with little contact, the Jaguars worked on numerous situations expected to arise when they open the season in eight days against Pikeville (Ky.) at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.
“It was a great day,” Jag head coach Joey Jones observed. “They were very attentive, we didn’t have one situation in an hour scrimmage where somebody wasn’t on the field when they were supposed to be. That’s what we were looking for — not a physical practice with a lot of tackling.
“I wanted their minds and their eyes ready for game situations, and I thought we covered a lot of different things today that they normally don’t see.”
In addition to starting several drives with standard field position, one offensive drive was set up to end with a field goal, which Michel Chapuseaux connected on from 42 yards out. Other special teams facets of the scrimmage included punting on the defensive side of the 50-yard line trying to pin the opposition, kick returns and coverage following a safety, and lining up for a field goal in the final seconds with no time outs and the clock running.
The Jag defense also was faced with sudden change after a turnover put the offense on the 30-yard line, while offensively USA marched down the field in a two-minute drill and also was forced to run out the clock while deep in its own territory.
“It’s really important to get these situational practices in because they take a lot of preparation and focus,” said junior defensive back Jerron Mitchell. “The little things that occur in games that we don’t usually see during practice come up in these scrimmages, which is good.”
The Jaguars will take part in “Fan Day” Saturday at Ladd-Peebles Stadium, an event that will allow coaches and student-athletes to meet fans and supporters of the program as well as obtain autographs and take pictures. The USA Bookstore will be selling JagWear merchandise as well as the new book published by the University, “Kickoff: The Story of the University of South Alabama’s Inaugural Football Season.” Season tickets can be purchased and seats selected with assistance from the USA Athletic Ticket Sales Office staff, which will be at the stadium for the event.
“Fan Day” will take place from 9:30-11 a.m.
“We’re looking forward to it, our kids are excited about the event,” Jones said. “I’d love for all our fans to come out tomorrow to Ladd-Peebles Stadium and get to know some of our players, and for our players to get to know them.”
“The city of Mobile and the community around here have done a great job of showing us support,” added Mitchell. “It’s always good to have ‘Fan Day’ just to mingle with those people who come out and invest their time and money in us. It’s a great way for us to show our appreciation for our fans.”
The Jaguars will practice for approximately an hour-and-a-half Sunday afternoon, beginning at 4 p.m., and will take Monday off as part of their normal game week schedule.
For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).
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