MOBILE, Ala. – Coming off the first overtime win in program history, University of South Alabama football head coach Joey Jones, defensive lineman Andy Dalgleish and running back Demetre Baker sat down with the media to recap Saturday’s win at Texas-San Antonio as well as preview this week’s Homecoming game against Tennessee-Martin.

A few highlights from Monday’s press conference are below.

Head coach Joey Jones
Opening statement:
 “Texas-San Antonio had a really good football team, very well-coached.  They really gave us some fits on both sides of the ball, they saved a lot of things for our game that they didn’t show until game time that we had to make some adjustments to — our hats are off to them for having their team ready to play.
 “I was really happy with the way our kids played in the game.  The crowd was a big factor, that dome was extremely loud with 32,000 people in it — it was almost deafening at times, we couldn’t communicate trying to call plays.  But our kids held their composure; we got in at halftime down 17-10 and I told them all we have to do is go out and play our football and don’t panic; do what you do best.  And they did that, came back and scored to tie it up — when we pinned them on the one [yard line] with about six minutes left I thought we would get the ball back on the 40 and maybe have a chance to score.
 “That didn’t happen, but we got into overtime and won the ball game.  It was an environment that was certainly in their favor and our kids’ third road game [in a row], so I thought they responded really well.”

On the nature of winning in double overtime:
 “It always helps to win; I don’t care how you do it.  But to win in that fashion late in the game when you were down at halftime, you had to go in and regroup, keep your composure and play well in the second half, which we did.  I felt good throughout the whole game until they were lining up for the kick, and I said ‘Oh my gosh, who knows if he’s going to make it or not.’  Our guys did a great job blocking it to get to overtime, I felt like it was our game at that point.  We found some holes running the ball, so I felt like we could score every time — I just hoped our defense could stop them, which they did holding them to a field goal in the second overtime.
 “It was a great win for us, our kids really appreciated the fans that came.  It was a great environment to win in, they overcame some great odds so I was real proud of them.”

On Tennessee-Martin:
 “They are the best team that’s come into Ladd Stadium in my opinion.  They are very well-coached and very good on offense, averaging 45 points and 511 yards per game.  Defensively, they are very athletic, and they have a lot of seniors on the team; they have been building this team for the last three years.  It’s going to take all we got this week to get ready, but our kids are looking forward to the challenge.”

Comparing UT-Martin’s offense to Texas-San Antonio:
 “They are different.  UTSA ran the triple option a good bit, and that gave us some fits in the game.  This team looks a little more like us offensively, a tailback-oriented team that will throw the ball.  They have two great tailbacks that are as good as any we have faced, they can really make people miss so we are going to have to be sure tacklers on the defensive side of the ball.  They throw the ball really well also, they’ve thrown for more than they’ve run for yardage-wise.  They take what the defense gives them, so we are going to have to be smart and play a really good football game.”

On playing three games in four weeks, all away from home:
 “I’m just ready to be home.  This has been a long, long four weeks on the road, we haven’t been home in a month; like the players were saying earlier, it does take a toll on you when you are on airplanes and in hotels getting back at midnight on Saturday and getting ready for practice on Sunday.  But our kids are really resilient, they understand that the football season is tough and you have to be able to fight through some tough times; you’re going to have little injuries, you’re going to be tired at times, but that’s not an excuse and our kids know that.”

On the effect of a good crowd:
 “The crowd can make a difference in any ball game, not just football.  Basketball, baseball, whatever, it can make a difference.  Our people who have been coming to the games have been really loud, and we’ll need them this week.  We really need a loud, hostile environment for the opposing team to come into and create that as an advantage for us.”

On his assessment of the team now:
 “I don’t know where I thought we would be. One thing I know is that we have achieved a lot in the last couple of years.  I like to evaluate when the season is over, but if you just go from game five backwards I feel real good about it.  I don’t like losing to Kent State or N.C. State, but our kids have done a lot of good things.  We have a lot of redshirt freshmen starting out there, so the future is pretty bright with one senior on defense, five on offense and one kicker.  We’re still a young team, so I’m pleased with where we are; we just have to continue to get better.
 “That win [Saturday at UTSA] was a big win for us, I think it really matured our kids.  The losses haven’t taught us anything, but the experience did, and the experience taught us something the other night as well.”

Defensive lineman Andy Dalgleish
On his forced fumble at UTSA:
“I don’t like to take too much credit for the forced fumble, it was just an excellent defensive play call and I was where I was supposed to be. Luckily I was able to get my hand on the ball and force the fumble that we were able to recover. It took a nice bounce – I wish we would have scooped and scored right there. But it was just a good play call and I was where I was supposed to be, and we were able to get the turnover.”

On the defense’s performance:
“They were very well-coached and multiple with their formations. The two touchdowns they scored on were trick plays, and the option hurt us a little but we really bowed our next in the second half. We had some excellent defensive play calls, and we were able to hold them from scoring until overtime. I’m really proud of our defense. We just have a refuse-to-lose attitude, no matter how much we are down. Coach wants 11 guys who not only love to win, but hate to lose and that’s ultimately what it boiled down to.”

On the momentum from the UTSA win:
“It feels good to win again. We’re not used to losing. It gave us a huge emotional lift heading into this week’s game. And it gave us that confidence back that we needed to play our kind of football.”

On UT-Martin:
“They have an excellent offense – they like to run the ball. But we pride ourselves as a defense on stopping the run. We’ll have our work cut out for us but I’m confident going into this game. We have a great defensive coaching staff that will have us prepared.”

Running back Demetre Baker
On the UTSA win:
“I have to thank the offensive line. They worked their tails off the whole game, and I appreciate them for all the work that they do down there in the trenches. It was a big victory for the team; we were excited and pumped up. I knew we would fight, and we fought together and came out with a victory.”

On his game-winning touchdown in double overtime:
“It was an amazing feeling. It was a great call by the offensive coordinator, and the offense did a great job executing it. Once I scored, it was a great feeling; that’s Jaguar football right there. They had one safety back expecting the inside run, and we just beat them to the outside.”

On his preparation for the UTSA game:
“I was ready emotionally, physically and mentally. I studied my plays as well as the opponent, and went out with a lot of energy and excitement. I let my teammates know that I wasn’t going to let them down, and that I was going to make big plays all day.”

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).