MOBILE, Ala. – University of South Alabama football wide receiver Lamontis Gardner recently sat down with USA Athletic Media Relations to discuss the season as well as life off the field.

Describe the emotions as you are preparing for your final collegiate game.
“I try not to think about it too much, but it is coming up so it is kind of getting to me now. I’m thinking about if this will be the last football game I ever play or if I will have an opportunity to go play somewhere else.”

What has the experience of getting to come back and play in your hometown been like?
“I love it. People that saw me play when I was coming up, from park ball to high school, they see what I’m doing now and they congratulate me. They see that I am doing good, and they love to see that. And I love playing in front of my family; they come to all of the games. It’s like an adrenaline rush when your mother and cousins are sitting there watching.”

What are some memorable moments you will take with you?
“One of the most memorable moments was the first time that we came together as a team and did conditioning, back when we first decided to have a football program. I remember being on the track (for conditioning), and we started (lifting weights) in the weight room in the HPELS building. But just watching the program grow, when I leave I am going to love watching the program grow.”

How important is it for this group of seniors to finish undefeated at home?
“It’s very important to me, because most players can’t say that they never lost a game at home when they are finished playing. We’ve never experienced a loss at home, and I think that is something that, hopefully, I can tell my children and grandchildren. That would be a great accomplishment.”

How did the team grow from the program’s first-ever loss?
“I’m not going to say that I am happy that we lost, but I think it was somewhat of a good thing. We know what it feels like to lose now, and nobody likes to lose so you will do everything in your power to prevent from having that feeling again. So I think we learned from it and we started working even harder. We may have gotten a little complacent from winning so much, so that loss will probably be good for us in the long run.”

How would you describe this corps of receivers?
“I think we are a diverse group. Every one of us has some quality or attribute that we bring to the table that is different from the others. I think we are a great, diverse group and it will continue to grow.”

How has coach (Ron) Antoine helped you improve?
“Coach Antoine is a great coach; he knows what he is talking about. If he tells you something, then you should listen. And he teaches you about not only football, but life in general. I always talk to him about what I want to do after I am through playing football as far as graduate school, and he gives me good advice. I didn’t grow up with a father, so I look up to him as a father-figure. I go and talk to him about football, life and what I need to do in order to accomplish certain things that I want to accomplish.”

What effect does his demeanor have on the receivers during a game?
“Even if we’re losing, he keeps his composure. That rubs off on a player. If you see a coach keeping his composure, you won’t panic and you believe in yourself and what you are doing. He is pretty straightforward, so you know what he is expecting from you and you know what and what not to do.”

What are some of the challenges of playing receiver at the collegiate level?
“In college, everything you do is helping the team. Even if you have just a decoy route and are running someone off, you are helping someone else get open. Everything you do counts, because it is helping a teammate.”

How do you feel you have progressed in your downfield blocking?
“I think that is one of my best attributes as a receiver. It’s just as important as the offensive line blocking. You never know when the ball carrier will come running behind you, so you have to be ready to make your block every time.”

What are some things you like about playing in (offensive coordinator) coach (Greg) Gregory’s offense?
“What I like about coach (Gregory) is that each week there is something different. He puts plays in based on the opponent’s weaknesses. In high school, we just did what we did no matter who we were playing. But I like coach Gregory because he changes it up; you never know what to expect. We can run the ball, and if the opponent has a weak pass defense then we can throw it. I like the offensive balance.”

What are some strengths of the offense?
“We are a balanced offense, and we don’t have to stick to just one thing. We have good running backs, linemen, receivers and a good quarterback so I think at any given time we can do something different. It’s good being a balanced team. Your opponent never knows what to expect from you.”

What effect(s) has the offseason conditioning program had on you in your time with the program?
“When I first got here, I was probably 160 pounds and ran a 4.7 in my first 40. (Strength and conditioning) Coach (Justin) Schwind’s program is a great program. I have gained 25 pounds since I have been here, and I ran a 4.4 in my last 40.”

Who has had the biggest influence on your career?
“My mother has had the biggest influence on me, because she is a single parent and I am the first person in my family to ever go to college. I feel like when I graduate, it will be a great accomplishment for me and I just want to succeed to be able to help my mother. If I hadn’t gotten a scholarship, I probably would not have been fortunate enough to go to college. But I wanted to play football so when I graduated, I could just help her out with the bills and stuff like that.

When did you start playing football?
“I started playing when I was five years old at Peters Park near midtown on Catherine Street. I started out playing running back.”

What do you want to professionally once you finish playing football?
“I am majoring in interdisciplinary studies. After I am done playing here, I want to either continue playing somewhere or go to graduate school and be a graduate assistant so I can become a coach.”

What do you like to do in your spare time?
“I like to watch all sports. My favorite team is the (New Orleans) Saints, and my favorite basketball team is the (Los Angeles) Lakers. And we (receivers) play video games, mostly NCAA Football. We have tournaments and play for bragging rights.”

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).