Jags Final Practice In The Books For Western Kentucky

September 13, 2013 · By · Filed Under Football 

Coach_Jones_Scrimmage

Thursday morning was the final practice preparing for Saturday’s game against Western Kentucky.

The two hour practice saw the Jaguars defense preparing for a variety of things they believe the Hilltoppers will attack them with. The offense worked on their up tempo play and gameplan to attack the Hilltopper defense. The offense has worked all week to continue the progress they made last week and to correct the turnovers early in the second half of the game against Tulane.

Western Kentucky know how crucial turnovers can be. They had five turnovers in the span of six plays leading to a 24 point first quarter for Tennessee last weekend in their 52-20 loss to the Volunteers. Western Kentucky head coach Bobby Petrino told the media that they have focused on ball security this week. He also opened up lots of positions and will have lineup changes against the Jaguars. He indicated that for them to win, they need to run the ball and make plays down field. They understand that Ross Metheny is a dual threat quarterback and they understand that they need to get pressure on him using a four man rush, which he has not been happy with this season.

South Alabama is a 9.5-point underdog in this first meeting between the two schools and the first conference game of the season for both schools.

After a tough day of practice earlier this week where there were dropped passes, head coach Joey Jones was pleased with Thursday’s practice. He told AL.com that he thought the team was sharper that they were on Thursday and that both sides of the ball were in tune with what they need to do. But he said that the challenge is taking that from the practice field out to the stadium on Saturday.

Jones was pleased with how the team responded after the Tulane win. They got back into work mode and continue to try to make improvements and to push themselves to get better.

They should not have a problem getting up for this game as it is their conference opener against a team that could challenge for the conference championship. One of the goals year in and year out is to win conference games and win a conference championship. They know that they cannot win a conference championship without winning conference games. If they approach it with that mentality, then their next goal of going to a bowl game will take care of itself.

South Alabama will have a short walk-through practice on Friday. The Jags and the Hilltoppers are scheduled to kick off at 6:30pm at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.

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