USA Baseball Releases 2014 Schedule
The University of South Alabama baseball head coach Mark Calvi released their 2014 schedule on Thursday. The schedule includes six NCAA Regional and two College World Series participants from last season. They also include last year’s national runner up.
The Jags will open the season with a three game series against Tennessee Tech at Eddie Stanky Field on February 14-16. They will then host Alabama State on February 18 in a mid-week series. They then travel to New Orleans to face former conference foe New Orleans in a three game series on February 21-23.
They return back to Eddie Stanky Field to host Jacksonville State for a two game mid-week series on February 25 and 26. They then begin a five game road trip when they travel to Fayeteville, Arkansas to face the University of Arkansas for a three game series from February 28 – March 2 who finished runner-up at the NCAA Manhattan (Kansas) Regional last season. The Jags then face Jackson State on March 4 in Mississippi then they end the road trip with a game at Mississippi State on March 5 for a rematch of last year’s NCAA Starkville (Mississippi) Regional winner’s bracket game that the Bulldogs won on their way to a runner-up finish at the College World Series.
The Jags will then host a three game series against Southern Illinois University March 7-9, followed by a mid-week trip to Hattiesburg to face Southern Miss before returning home for a Conference opener against Troy on March 14-16.
Throughout the conference season the Jags will have games against LSU (March 19 in Baton Rouge), Nicholls State (March 25), Southeastern Louisiana (April 1, Hammond, Louisiana), Southern Miss (April 2), Nicholls State (April 9, Thibodaux, Louisiana), Southeastern Louisiana (April 15), Auburn (April 22, Auburn, Alabama), Alabama State (April 30, Montgomery, Alabama).
The Sun Belt Conference Championship will be held in Mobile at Eddie Stanky Field from May 21 through May 25.
“It’s a good schedule,” coach Calvi said. “With our league being as tough as it is, you want to get your guys ready for that type of competition. To be ready for the postseason and get to where we want to go, you have to get used to playing high-quality teams. It’s a great experience for our guys. They come to South Alabama for the tradition and the fact that we’ll play anybody on the road or at home.”
“As we continue to improve and get the program back to where it was, it’s a drawing card as well,” Calvi continued. “We’re excited about this schedule. We definitely have our hands full. There’s no doubt about it, good competition allows you to see what you have and don’t have. It’s a great measuring stick to play a tough schedule.”
The full schedule can be found here.
Go Jags!
Jags Final Practice In The Books For Western Kentucky
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.
Quick Look At Western Kentucky
First year defensive coordinator Kevin Sherrer talks with the defense on the sidelines at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in the Jaguars season opener against Southern Utah.
The Jaguars continue to prepare for Western Kentucky as they hone their gameplan and continue to focus on execution.
WKU will bring is a solid running game but also a potent passing game in their multiple attack offense. In the backfield, they are led by Antonio Andrews, a 6′ 220-pound running back, that Coach Bobby Petrino likes to pound opponents with and rarely goes down on the first hit. They run inside, they run off tackle and they run outside. Petrino is known for his affinity for crossing routes and stretching the field deep.
Western Kentucky is averaging 27.5 points per game, 193.5 rushing yards per game and 246.5 yards passing per game for an offensive total of 440 yards per game. That is also against a pair of SEC teams in Kentucky and Tennessee.
Head coach Joey Jones and defensive coordinator Kevin Sherrer are concerned about getting the defense lined up correctly and playing aggressively. When they bring pressure on the quarterback, they must get to the quarterback.
Defensively they have good size on both the line and linebackers, but they lost the entire defensive line from the 2012 team leaving them a bit inexperienced coming into this season. The linebackers Xavius Boyd and Andrew Jackson rank are probably the top linebacker duos in the conference.
WKU’s rushing defense has been pretty weak through the first two games, however they did face SEC talent in Kentucky and Tennessee and gave up big plays on the ground to both of them. Looks for the Jaguars to go deep and try to make more big plays and stretch the defense themselves. The Hilltopper secondary are all upperclassmen with plenty of experience.
Western Kentucky’s beatwriter picks the Hilltoppers to win 43-16. Last season the Jaguars played four SBC teams within 10 points last season when they went 2-11. In a number of games the Jaguars had a late rally that came up short. These Jaguars can play and I don’t see it going down like the WKU beatwriter thinks.
But to do so, we need the fans to help give the Jaguars an edge. See yesterday’s article where I challenges Jaguar Nation to make Ladd-Peebles Stadium one of the most feared places to play in the Sun Belt.
Coach Joey Jones Show Recap 09-10-2013
Head coach Joey Jones, Lee Shirvanian were joined by assistant coach Brian Turner at Baumhower’s Restaurant on Airport Boulevard in Mobile.
They were quickly talking about how good the Jags win over Tulane was for the team. The Jags came out quick and finished the game. Coach Jones was very proud of the team and mentioned that most of the plays went our way and we were able to get the win.
Ross is the first Jaguar to be the Offensive Player of the Week. He was ready to play, prepared well and knew where to go with the ball.
Lee asked about the blocked punt the Jags had against Tulane. He asked if that was schemed. Coach Jones said it was. They saw on film how they protected on punts and saw a gap between their wing and their tackle. He also mentioned that their personal protector moved up to the line to change the protection but the center snapped the ball before they could change it and they were wide open to block the punt.
Injury report by Coach Jones noted that Randon Carnathan is going to miss the remainder of the season with an Achilles heel injury. Late in the season last year he tore his ACL and spent the offseason rehabbing and earning his spot back and then this happens to him in the second game of his final season.
Jerome McClain, who went out of the Tulane game with a concussion, was cleared to rejoin the team on the practice field on Wednesday. That is a bright spot for the defensive line since they lost Will Thompson in the preseason because of ankle surgery and now Carnathan.
Lee turned to Coach Turner, who coaches the defensive line, and asked how Carnathan’s injury affects them. Turner said that it’s tough losing a player, especially a senior with the experience and leadership they bring and Randon bring personally. They are deeper at that position and they rotate lots of players so they should be okay.
Romelle Jones was named the defensive lineman of the week by the coaches for his performance against Tulane with seven tackles, two tackles-for-loss and a sack with four quarterback pressures.
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A Challenge To #JagNation
Jaguar Nation, I have a challenge for you.
I challenge you to send this to your friends and family. Tell them to read this and take it to heart. I also want you to be an example at home games. Encourage those around you to stand up, make noise and help make Ladd-Peebles Stadium one of the most feared stadiums in the Sun Belt.
If you went to the game last Saturday in New Orleans at the Superdome, you were part of something very special. You may have noticed how loud we were during the game. This was not the first time the Jaguar Nation “road crew” was impressive on the road.
Back in 2010 when South Alabama traveled to Lamar, we got loud. Really loud. Lamar fans knew where we were and that we were excited. Then the following week in Davis, California the fans were loud and well known again when the Jags came from behind to defeat UC Davis.
During the 2011 season when the Jags faced their first FBS school, in a game I refer to as USA vs NC State 1, the Jaguar fans who made that trip really let them know that we were there and proud of our team. In a stadium with a capacity of 60,000 our small group gave their rabid fans an impression. Way up in the pressbox, the broadcasters could hear Jag Nation getting rowdy and letting everyone know about it.
Read more
Always remember 9/11
Remember the innocent that perished this day 12 years ago. Remember those who selflessly went into those buildings to help evacuate and save so many lives. Remember those who gave their lives to serve and protect us.
Today is a day of remembrance and reflection.
USA Men’s Basketball 2013-2014 Schedule Released
The South Alabama men’s basketball team released their 2013-2014 schedule on Monday. First year head coach Matthew Graves, his staff and team will face some challenges this season.
The Jags will be led by returning Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year Augustine Rubit and Junior Mychal Ammons. Four of their road games will be against Gonzaga, Arkansas, New Mexico State and Middle Tennessee State with a total of nine opponents who won at least 19 games last season.
They will begin the season with an exhibition game against the University of Mobile on November 5 at the Mitchell Center. They will have their season opener at home against Detroit on November 8.
Graves’ first road game will be at Texas on November 12. They will return to the Mitch to face William Carey before hosting the round-robin tournament the CBE Classic with Wright State, Southern Miss and Houston Baptist coming to the Mitchell Center to participate on November 22-24.
On November 30, the Jags will travel to Murfreesboro, Tennessee to face former SBC rival Middle Tennessee State. December 2 the Jags will face Spring Hill College before traveling to Houston, Texas to face Rice on December 7.
The Jags will travel to Seattle, Washington fo face Gonzaga on December 14. THey then return to Mobile to face Dillard on December 17 then have back-to-back road games against Arkansas on December 21 and New Mexico State on December 28.
This season, the Sun Belt will not be split into divisions, so they will play an 18-game home-and-home schedule against each team in the conference. The Sun Belt Conference schedule begins for South Alabama on January 2 at home against Western Kentucky.
Wright State was chosen to win the Horizon League this year and won 23 games last season. They return their top 10 players. Gonzaga is a perineal challenge and NCAA Tournament threat.
Coach Graves wanted to put together a challenging non-conference schedule to prepare the Jags for their conference schedule and it seems he has done just that. They have lots of work ahead of them but Graves and the team are up to the challenge.
Click here to see the full schedule.
Go Jags!
Non-AQ Top 10
The Non-AQ Top 10 poll is out. The Sun Belt is represented in the top 10 with four other SBC schools also receiving votes.
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Non-AQ Top 10
|
|||
|
RK
|
TEAM
|
RECORD
|
PTS
|
|
1
|
Fresno
State (2) |
2-0
|
68
|
|
2
|
Northern
Illinois (4) |
1-0
|
62
|
|
3
|
Brigham
Young (1) |
1-1
|
50
|
|
4
|
Bowling
Green |
2-0
|
44
|
|
5
|
East
Carolina |
2-0
|
39
|
|
6
|
Utah
State (1) |
1-1
|
38
|
|
7
|
Ball
State (1) |
2-0
|
36
|
|
8
|
Marshall
|
2-0
|
27
|
|
9
|
San
Jose State |
1-1
|
20
|
|
T-10
|
Troy
|
2-0
|
18
|
|
T-10
|
Navy
|
1-0
|
18
|
Others receiving votes: Boise State 17,
Western Kentucky 17, Texas State 12, Rice 9,
Tulsa 9, Arkansas State 5, Kent State 3,
Louisiana 2, Wyoming 1.
Ross Metheny Named Sun Belt Offensive Player Of The Week
Ross Metheny leads the Jaguar offense to the line of scrimmage to kneel on the ball one final time to run out the clock against Tulane on Saturday, September 7, 2013.
South Alabama quarterback Ross Metheny was named the Sun Belt Conference Offensive Player of the Week on Monday. Metheny, the 6’3″ 203-pound senior from Stephens City, Virginia, transferred to South Alabama from the University of Virginia. He was responsible for four of the Jaguars touchdowns in it’s 41-39 victory over Tulane in the Superdome in New Orleans on Saturday.
Metheny was the Jaguars’ leading rusher with 75 yards and two touchdowns while throwing for 290 yards onf 19-of-30 passing and two more touchdowns and two interceptions enroute to ending South Alabama’s seven game losing streak dating back to the 2012 season. He also set two game records and led the Jags to the highest yardage total against an FBS opponent.
Through two games Metheny ranks third in the conference in passing efficiency (157.38), third in total offense (239.5 yards per game), and fifth in passing yards per game (201 yards per game).
Troy’s Jadarius Garner was named the Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Week with seven total tackles, three tackles for loss and two sacks in their 66-3 win over Savannah State.
The Jags will host Western Kentucky at Ladd-Peebles Stadium on Saturday with a 6:30pm kickoff.
Jags Get Back To Business Sunday Night Preparing For Western Kentucky
No rest for the Jaguars as they have one of the top teams in the Sun Belt coming to Mobile this Saturday in Western Kentucky. The Jags hit the practice field Sunday night in shorts and helmets to begin preparation for the Hilltoppers.
The Jags ended their seven game losing skid when they defeated Tulane in the Superdome. Coach Jones told his team that they have to approach every game just like they did last week. That means intense practices and methodical preparation.
The coaching staff saw some good things in the film from Saturday, but they found some bad as well. The second half began with three costly turnovers by the Jaguars. Two interceptions and a fumble that would eventually give the Green Wave the lead. Coach Jones wants them to close out the game earlier since the Jags were up by 21 points at one point.
The Jags suffered two injuries on Saturday. Jerome McClain suffered a concussion and will be required to pass medical tests before returning to practice or game play this week. Randon Carnathan suffered an Achilles’ heel injury. Coach Jones said that Carnathan’s injury does not look good right now and is feared to be lost for the season due to the injury. Carnathan missed the remainder of the season last year with an ACL injury.
Carnathan could join Melvin Meggs and Will Thompson who will both miss the season with injuries. Meggs tore his ACL in summer workouts while Will Thompson had ankle surgery prior to the first game of the season.
The Jags will host Western Kentucky Saturday at Ladd-Peebles Stadium for a 6:30pm kickoff.