Tag: South Alabama Jaguars

10 takeaways from American team Senior Bowl practice day 3

The American team had their final practice from the Reese’s Senior Bowl on Thursday. Tyler Forness gave his 10 takeaways from the afternoon

Day three of the 2024 Reese’s Senior Bowl is here, signifying the final practice before the two teams face off on Saturday.

Senior Bowl week is one of the first premier stops on the road to the NFL draft, and this year’s version has not disappointed. We have seen everything from the usual suspects securing their spots in round one to the virtually unknown prospects becoming household names.

Tyler Forness, Managing Editor for Vikings Wire, has had his finger on the pulse in Mobile from the first snaps of practice. He gives us his ten takeaways from the American team’s final chance to compete before the game and what it could mean for the prospects as their pre-draft process begins.

5 Oklahoma State Cowboys to know before Oklahoma’s final Bedlam matchup

Oklahoma is set to take on in-state rivals Oklahoma State on Saturday. Here’s a look at five Cowboys to know ahead of Bedlam.

Bragging rights for the state of Oklahoma are on the line Saturday afternoon with a rowdy Stillwater crowd. The Oklahoma Sooners and Oklahoma State Cowboys matchup in Bedlam one final time as Big 12 rivals. The two schools haven’t come to an agreement to continue playing in the future.

The game also has massive implications for this year’s Big 12 title race. The winner will put itself in a prime position to book a trip to Arlington to start the final month of the season.

The Cowboys started this season 2-0 before losing 33-7 at home to South Alabama from the Sun Belt. They followed that up with a loss to Iowa State before righting the ship and reeling off wins in their last four games, including wins over Kansas and Kansas State. The makeup of this team is different than Oklahoma State teams of the past.

Mike Gundy is doing an terrific job coaching this team. As the Sooners get ready for one final Bedlam battle, here are five Oklahoma State Cowboys to know ahead of the matchup.

‘I’ve came a long way’: Da’Jon Terry reminisces on his time with the Kansas Jayhawks

Sooners defensive tackle Da’Jon Terry returns this weekend to the place where his college football journey started.

[autotag]Da’Jon Terry[/autotag] was a late bloomer to the recruiting scene. In fact, he didn’t play football until his senior year of high school. That season, he received six offers.

Those offers were from Jackson State Tigers, Colorado Buffaloes, Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils, South Alabama Jaguars, North Alabama Lions, and the [autotag]Kansas Jayhawks[/autotag]. Ultimately, Terry decided to commit to the Jayhawks. He spent two seasons in Lawrence, racking up 16 tackles, two tackles for loss, and two sacks before transferring to Tennessee.

He’s now made his home in Norman, Okla., playing for the Sooners. But on Saturday, he’ll return to the place where his football journey began.

He shared with reporters about his time as a Jayhawk.

“I feel like I’ve came a long way,” Terry said. “With my fundamentals and just knowledge of the game because when I went to Kansas, I had only played one year of high school football. So, I really didn’t know that much about football. Through my years, I’ve learned a lot.”

When he committed to the Sooners out of the transfer portal, he provided Todd Bates something he didn’t have at the time, a defensive tackle over 300 pounds. And that size has made a big difference in the middle of the Sooners defense. Though he may not always be the one making the play, you can see his impact on Oklahoma’s efforts in short-yardage situations. On the goal line against Texas, Terry was lined up over the center and giving the Longhorns center everything he could handle. Terry has learned a lot and has become one of the better defensive linemen for the Sooners.

On first down, Terry worked the A-gap to the right of the center before crossing the Texas player’s face to take away the left A-gap, which is where running back Jonathan Brooks was headed. Then on second down, as Texas tried to work off tackle to the right, Terry beat his block and took away any cutback lane to the middle that Brooks might have considered after Dasan McCullough set the edge. On that play, you could see him pulling on a Longhorns blocker that was attempting to push Brooks into the end zone.

He has 11 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and one sack on the season. But he’s a guy who eats up blocks, allowing the linebackers to flow to the ball to make the play.

A year ago, the Oklahoma Sooners couldn’t hold up against interior offensive lines in the running game. In 2023, Da’Jon Terry has been a big part of the Sooners defensive transformation.

As they get set to take on a Kansas Jayhawks team that features one of the best rushing attacks in the nation, Terry will have to bring his A-game for the Sooners to keep their undefeated season alive.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Jaron on Twitter @JaronSpor.

Groves brothers, Grant Sherfield come up big in Sooners win over South Alabama

The Oklahoma Sooners shot just 17% from three but rallied to pick up a win over South Alabama with some heroics from Jacob Groves. From @john9williams

The Oklahoma Sooners moved to 3-1 on the season with a 64-60 win over South Alabama. It wasn’t the best shooting night for the Sooners, but they found their stride down the stretch to pull out the win over the Jaguars.

Oklahoma trailed 60-56 with just over five minutes to play. Then the Sooners went on an 8-0 run to close out the game, including a three by [autotag]Grant Sherfield[/autotag], cut the lead to one with just over four minutes remaining.

The Sooners took a 62-60 on a three-pointer from [autotag]Jacob Groves[/autotag] on an assist from Sherfield. Groves then played hero again when with less than 30 seconds remaining, South Alabama’s Judah Brown stole the ball from Jalen Hill before tossing it down the court to Owen White, who had a chance at a game-tying dunk on the break.

Jacob Groves had other plans as he raced down the court and blocked White from behind to preserve the two-point lead.

Sherfield sealed the win with a couple of free throws as he and the Groves brothers led Oklahoma to their third win of the season.

Sherfield had 17 points and eight assists in the win, while [autotag]Tanner Groves[/autotag] chipped in 15 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists. In addition to the go-ahead three and the game-saving block, Jacob Groves chipped in nine points.

It was a nice win on an off night from the field for the Oklahoma Sooners, who shot 43.6% from the field, but just 17.6% from three-point range. The difference in the contest was Oklahoma’s ability to get to the line. They shot eight more free throws than the Jaguars and scored six more from the free-throw line.

Oklahoma continues its long home stand to begin the season on Nov. 24 against Nebraska before their first road game of the season to take on Villanova on Dec. 3.

Here’s a look at the best photos from Friday night’s win.

Botched fake field goal ruins South Alabama’s chance for Sun Belt upset at UCLA

South Alabama got tricky against UCLA and it cost the Jaguars

South Alabama was up two points in front of a near-empty Rose Bowl on Saturday against UCLA.

The Jaguars had a chance to kick a field goal that would have forced the Bruins to score a touchdown late in the fourth quarter.

Instead, South Alabama went with the fake field goal, which saw the kicker actually move into formation as an eligible receiver while holder Tanner McGee readied for the snap.

McGee took his time surveying his option.

Bruins LB Carl Jones Jr. took off, sacked McGee and the Bruins had the ball with a chance to win.

The Bruins made good on their chance, driving into field-goal range, where Nicholas Barr-Mira hit a 24-yard field goal to win the game, 32-31, as time expired.

The Bruins are 3-0 but they shouldn’t be overconfident after struggling to beat a Group of Five teams.

Former UCLA QB and current ESPN broadcaster Troy Aikman was displeased.

South Alabama Jaguars Preview 2022: Season Prediction, Breakdown, Key Games, Players

South Alabama College Football Preview 2022: Team breakdown, season prediction, keys to the campaign, and what you need to know

South Alabama Jaguars Preview 2022: Previewing, predicting, and looking ahead to the South Alabama season with what you need to know and keys to the season.

– Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

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South Alabama Jaguars Preview
Head Coach: Kane Wommack, 5-7, 2nd year at USA
2021 Preview: Overall: 5-7, Conference: 2-6
Keys To The Season
Season Prediction, What Will Happen
South Alabama Top 10 Players | USA Schedule

South Alabama Jaguars Preview 2022

It’s not really fair or right to tag any Sun Belt team with being the next Coastal Carolina, but there’s chance South Alabama might just be this year’s out-of-the-blue team in the conference.

The program hasn’t had a winning season since getting up to the big level and the Sun Belt in 2012 – although it has been to two bowl games – and it’s had a a few near misses, like last year’s team that had several chances to go bowling but couldn’t get that sixth win.

Head coach Kane Wommack is only 35, he’s known for his talent as a defensive coach both as a coordinator at South Alabama and then Indiana, and he’s got the guys in place to do big things in a year when all of the Sun Belt focus is on the new additions and the expected big things out of the established stars.

He’s been fantastic in the transfer portal, he’s got a good coaching staff, and this team is loaded with as much starting experience as any team in the Sun Belt.

No, this might not be a dominant force like Coastal Carolina became, but in the winnable Sun Belt West – in a year of transition for Louisiana – just coming up with a breakthrough winning season in Year Two under the rising young head coach would be more than good enough.

South Alabama Jaguars Preview 2022: Offense

The Jaguar offense might have died down the stretch when the team just needed one win in the final four games to go bowling, but it’s a LOADED group coming back full of experience and help from the transfer portal for offensive coordinator Major Applewhite to work with.

The passing attack should be fine, but the scoring has to be there after averaging under 25 points per game. The improvement has to come from …

The running attack has to take over at times. The offensive line has lots of size and plenty of experience, but it struggled in pass protection and it generated a push for just 111 yards per game on the ground.

Four starters are back up front, and now it needs to work for leading rusher Terrion Avery – who ran for just 508 yards and a score – and a ground game that averaged just three yards per carry.

The main backs behind Avery are there, and the help is coming in from the transfer portal with Marco Lee from Virginia Tech and Omni Wells from Mississippi State looking to make a push.

The star of the passing game is gone. Jalen Tolbert caught 82 passes averaging 18 yards per pop with eight scores, and now he’s a Dallas Cowboy. However, the rest of the main receivers are back led by 53-catch Jalen Wayne and speedy Caullin Lacy. All-star TE Lincoln Sefcik caught 32 passes and five scores as a short-range receiver.

Can Desmond Trotter take his game up a few notches? The veteran quarterback was good in 2020, and he’s strong at limiting the mistakes, but he only played late last year in a rough three-game road stretch and now he has to make the O sing. If he can’t, Toledo transfer Carter Bradley will get his shot.

South Alabama Jaguars Preview 2022: Defense

The defense is getting even more help from the transfer portal than the offensive side. The Jaguars get back eight starters, but the Power Five new guys are going to at least build up the depth for a defense that wasn’t bad.

The Jaguars allowed 355 yards and 26 points per game. They need a better pass rush, but the pass defense should be fine. Speaking of the pass rusher …

The Jaguars got production from a variety of spots – mostly outside linebacker – but the line has to find more from the ends. DT Charles Coleman led the team with 4.5 sacks, and the rest of the starters are back.

On the way is Nathan Rawlins-Kibonge from Oklahoma and James Miller from Indiana to try bringing some heat from the edge – if 6-7 Brock Higdon doesn’t turn out to be a star a the Bandit position.

AJ DeShazor led the team with 64 tackles, but he’s hardly alone among the inside linebacker to use in a good rotation. That includes 245-pound Quentin Wilfawn – a thumper in the middle who made 45 tackles.

The secondary has the playmakers to work around, but more of a steady pass rush would be a big help. Darrell Luter was a First Team All-Sun Belt star with a team-high four interceptions and ten broken up passes at one corner spot, and the safety combination of Keith Gallmon and Yam Banks should combine for around 100 tackles.

Keys To The Season
Season Prediction, What Will Happen
South Alabama Top 10 Players | USA Schedule

South Alabama Jaguars: Keys To The Season, Top Game, Top Transfer, Fun Stats NEXT

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South Alabama Jaguars Top 10 Players: College Football Preview 2022

Who are the top 10 South Alabama players going into the 2022 college football season?

South Alabama Jaguars Preview 2022: Who are the top 10 players going into the season?

– Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

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South Alabama Jaguars Preview 
Offense, Defense Breakdown | Keys To The Season
Season Prediction, What Will Happen
South Alabama Schedule 

2022 NFL draft: Jalen Tolbert scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about South Alabama wide receiver Jalen Tolbert

A small-school stud who stood out most in big games, South Alabama’s Jalen Tolbert enters the 2022 NFL draft as one of the more underrated prospects in this year’s loaded wide receiver class.

Here’s everything you need to know about this under-the-radar pass-catcher:

2022 Senior Bowl: 4 potential Chargers DB/WR who stood out on Day 3

A look at some standout wide receivers and defensive backs on Day 3 of the Senior Bowl that could’ve caught the Chargers’ attention.

With poor weather threatening hazardous conditions on the third day of Senior Bowl practices, the event was moved inside in the interest of player safety and comfort. 

Unfortunately, the indoor facility was much smaller than Hancock-Whitney stadium and space was limited. Only media partnered with the Senior Bowl were allowed access indoors for in-person viewing as a result. Nevertheless, we were still able to view the television broadcast and watch the post-practice film for a comprehensive insight into how the players performed.

Here are four potential targets for the Chargers at the wide receiver and defensive back positions that stood out from the rest of the competition on Thursday.

WR – Khalil Shakir, Boise State

The shifty Shakir garnered praise throughout the day as the best receiver in the indoor showing. Shakir found himself open on two looks during work in the red zone, converting both touchdowns with strong catches. On the first touchdown, he shook free from extended press contact on a deep route before extending low in the back of the end zone for the ball. His second touchdown displayed toughness through contact, taking a big shot over the middle that sat him down but failed to dislodge the ball. 

The size and length (191 pounds, 29’ arms) may concern some NFL teams, but Shakir has improved every day he has spent in Mobile. Shakir consistently separated off the line with his sharp releases, fast foot-fire, and twitchy lower body. He exercised good burst to pull away from defenders in short areas. A solid outing in the game Saturday would be the perfect way to cap off Shakir’s ascension.

WR – Jalen Tolbert, South Alabama

The Mobile native was a solid performer through the first two days of practice, but Tolbert’s game was on another level on Thursday. Tolbert was crafty as a route runner, constantly winning off the line of scrimmage and finding ways to separate late in his route. He shook defenders out of his breaks and demonstrated exceptional timing when locating the ball. This rep against Nebraska cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt was a prime example of Tolbert’s ability to pluck the ball at its high point and protect the football on his return to the ground.

S – Jalen Pitre, Baylor

A hybrid defender that suited up in a variety of roles at Baylor, Pitre is another prospect who struggled initially during one-on-ones but elevated his play as the week went on. Pitre was aggressive in coverage on day three, blanketing Trey McBride in the red zone on one snap while diving for a pass breakup on Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder on another. 

Pitre spoke to the media after practice on Wednesday and voiced his thoughts on how NFL defenses are evolving into having more positionless roles.

“I think that the game is translating into that,” Pitre said. “There are more guys that are versatile that can cover but also bring the hit. Just help their teammates out as much as possible.”

Pitre went on to explain his role as a “star” defender and how it maximized his range and instincts. Pitre mentioned the pro safeties he models his game after are Tyrann Mathieu of the Kansas City Chiefs and Budda Baker of the Arizona Cardinals. He plays bigger than his size and holds a ton of untapped potential. 

CB – Roger McCreary, Auburn

One of my favorite prospects coming into the Senior Bowl, McCreary soured on a few evaluators after posting 29-inch arms on measurement day. The lack of length was surprising considering McCreary’s wealth of production, notching six interceptions and 30 pass breakups in 39 games for Auburn. When asked about his length, McCreary brushed the number off and said it does not faze him.

“It’s not frustrating, it’s just that a lot of people want to talk about my measurements when they didn’t say anything my whole college career,” McCreary told John Crumpler of The Texans Wire. “That’s their opinion, so I really don’t care. I’m just going to play how I play and not let that get to my head because I know what type of player I am.”

McCreary dominated the hip pockets of receivers all week while spending time in both the nickel and outside cornerback spots. He recorded a pass breakup on the goal line covering an out route, flashing his sound instincts. A well-rounded cornerback that traverses the field smoothly with clean footwork, McCreary definitely proved why he’s receiving first-round consideration.

Penn State’s all-time record against every member of the Sun Belt Conference

Penn State has never lost a football game to a team currently in the Sun Belt, but Appalachian State came close.

Of all of the FBS conferences in college football, Penn State has the least head-to-head contact with the Sun Belt Conference. The Nittany Lions have played a member of the Sun Belt Conference just three times in program history, and one of those meetings took place before one of those current Sun Belt members was even playing FBS football.

And although Penn State has won all three of their meetings against the Sun Belt Conference, the last one nearly shook the entire program to start the season.

Here is a look at how Penn State fares all-time against schools currently in the Sun Belt Conference.

All data referenced is credited to College Football Reference. Rankings referenced are AP Top 25 where available.

If you want more, check out Penn State’s all-time records against current members of the Big Ten, ACC, Big 12, Pac-12, and SEC. We are also adding all-time records against non-power conferences. Here is Penn State’s all-time record against the American Athletic Conference, MAC , and Mountain West Conference membership.

Note: Penn State has never faced Arkansas State, Georgia Southern, Louisiana, South Alabama, Texas State, Troy, or ULM.