Post by Trojan Warrior on Aug 18, 2014 9:50:02 GMT -6
Sports Network
11:18 a.m. EDT, August 18, 2014
2013 SEASON IN REVIEW: The South Alabama Jaguars struggled through their first season in the FBS in 2012 (2-11), but they emerged in 2013 to become one of the most pleasant surprises in the Sun Belt Conference.
The Jaguars were in solid position in late October after winning three of their first five games -- a pair of strong non-conference wins overs Tulane (41-39) and Kent State (38-21) as well as a 31-24 triumph versus Western Kentucky in the Sun Belt opener -- but things came apart over the next few weeks with three straight losses.
South Alabama salvaged its season with three consecutive wins to close things out, including a 30-8 victory over Louisiana on Dec. 7 to spoil the Ragin' Cajuns' bid for an outright league championship. The squad finished 6-6 and in a four-way tie for third place in the conference with a 4-3 league record, but it was not invited to a bowl game despite reaching the six-win threshold.
2014 ANALYSIS:
OFFENSE: South Alabama's offense took a big leap forward in 2013, as it ranked in the upper half of the league in both scoring (29.4 ppg) and yardage (425.5 ypg), but even with the departure of quarterback Ross Metheny (2,622 passing yards, 604 rushing yards, 25 TDs), the team welcomes back plenty of experience with eight returning starters.
Filling Metheny's shoes under center will be Brandon Bridge, a senior who has paid his dues over the years. He was underwhelming in limited action last season (29-of-66, 398 yards, TD, two INTs) but the 6-foot-5, 235-pound physical specimen was a strong rusher (170 yards, TD) and has the confidence to thrive as the starter.
"I've been waiting for this a very long time," Bridge said. "I'm not going to let this opportunity slip by."
Bridge is fortunate enough to be surrounded by plenty of returning talent and will be protected by four experienced starters on the offensive line. With receivers Shavarez Smith (50 receptions, 940 yards, six TDs) and Jereme Jones (40 receptions, 457 yards, three TDs) as well as tight end Wes Saxton (50 receptions, 635 yards), all three of the team's leading pass-catchers return.
Jay Jones was limited by Metheny's rushing stats but still put together a strong campaign with 737 yards and five scores on 143 carries (5.2 ypc), and he's expected to take another step forward in running behind the strong line.
DEFENSE: The Jaguars' defense thrived a season ago, as they ranked first in the Sun Belt in both points (25.2 ppg) and yards (384.2 ypg) allowed, although the unit retains less than half its starters in 2014...
(Full Article)
11:18 a.m. EDT, August 18, 2014
2013 SEASON IN REVIEW: The South Alabama Jaguars struggled through their first season in the FBS in 2012 (2-11), but they emerged in 2013 to become one of the most pleasant surprises in the Sun Belt Conference.
The Jaguars were in solid position in late October after winning three of their first five games -- a pair of strong non-conference wins overs Tulane (41-39) and Kent State (38-21) as well as a 31-24 triumph versus Western Kentucky in the Sun Belt opener -- but things came apart over the next few weeks with three straight losses.
South Alabama salvaged its season with three consecutive wins to close things out, including a 30-8 victory over Louisiana on Dec. 7 to spoil the Ragin' Cajuns' bid for an outright league championship. The squad finished 6-6 and in a four-way tie for third place in the conference with a 4-3 league record, but it was not invited to a bowl game despite reaching the six-win threshold.
2014 ANALYSIS:
OFFENSE: South Alabama's offense took a big leap forward in 2013, as it ranked in the upper half of the league in both scoring (29.4 ppg) and yardage (425.5 ypg), but even with the departure of quarterback Ross Metheny (2,622 passing yards, 604 rushing yards, 25 TDs), the team welcomes back plenty of experience with eight returning starters.
Filling Metheny's shoes under center will be Brandon Bridge, a senior who has paid his dues over the years. He was underwhelming in limited action last season (29-of-66, 398 yards, TD, two INTs) but the 6-foot-5, 235-pound physical specimen was a strong rusher (170 yards, TD) and has the confidence to thrive as the starter.
"I've been waiting for this a very long time," Bridge said. "I'm not going to let this opportunity slip by."
Bridge is fortunate enough to be surrounded by plenty of returning talent and will be protected by four experienced starters on the offensive line. With receivers Shavarez Smith (50 receptions, 940 yards, six TDs) and Jereme Jones (40 receptions, 457 yards, three TDs) as well as tight end Wes Saxton (50 receptions, 635 yards), all three of the team's leading pass-catchers return.
Jay Jones was limited by Metheny's rushing stats but still put together a strong campaign with 737 yards and five scores on 143 carries (5.2 ypc), and he's expected to take another step forward in running behind the strong line.
DEFENSE: The Jaguars' defense thrived a season ago, as they ranked first in the Sun Belt in both points (25.2 ppg) and yards (384.2 ypg) allowed, although the unit retains less than half its starters in 2014...
(Full Article)