Jacksonville, AL – Jacksonville State football is gearing up for its upcoming non-conference game against Southern Miss, with a focus on making strides defensively. Coming off a tough stretch, head coach Rich Rodriguez has acknowledged improvements but is looking for more from his team as they face a tough opponent at home.
Reflecting on the team’s recent performance, Coach Rodriguez was pleased with how the defense played in the second half of their previous game. “Finally played a good half of defense,” he noted. The Gamecocks were able to better control the run on first downs and make critical stops. However, he emphasized the need to create more turnovers, as this remains an area where the team must improve.
Rodriguez, who is working with seven or eight new defensive starters and a new system, is seeing incremental progress each week. “I’m the worst guy to have patience, but every week I see a little bit of improvement,” he said, expressing his expectations that these advancements will continue to build momentum, especially as they head into their eight conference games.
Southern Miss presents a formidable challenge with its blend of size and athleticism. Rodriguez pointed out the traditional strengths of their defensive line, calling them “really big defensive linemen up front,” while also praising their skill players on offense. He spoke highly of Southern Miss head coach Will Hall and his staff, noting their wealth of experience. Rodriguez anticipates a competitive game and hopes for a strong home crowd to support the team.
Southern Miss has rotated through multiple quarterbacks this season, giving Rodriguez and his defensive staff plenty to consider. He mentioned Roderick Baker, a big and strong transfer quarterback, as well as another option who brings elite athleticism. The Gamecocks will prepare for both, knowing that Southern Miss could mix in quarterback runs or different offensive looks depending on who is under center.
“You can’t really have two different game plans. You got to kind of do what you do and then adjust to certain plays,” Rodriguez explained, emphasizing the importance of being ready for both the passing game and quarterback runs.
One area where Jacksonville State is still finding its footing is the loss of veteran leadership from last season. Rodriguez admitted that some of the early season struggles stem from the turnover in personnel, particularly the departure of several key seniors. He noted how teams like Eastern Michigan and Southern Miss, with their veteran-laden defenses, have benefitted from experience, something the Gamecocks are still developing.
“We’ve got a lot of seniors, but some of them are like freshmen ’cause they’re first year in the system,” he explained. Despite these challenges, Rodriguez expressed confidence in his players, stating that even those without much experience are expected to perform at a high level.
One of the bright spots for the Gamecocks this season has been the play of quarterback Tyler Johnston. Despite being new to the system, Johnston has quickly adapted and impressed Rodriguez with his command of the offense. The coach highlighted Johnston’s ability to make all the throws and surprise opponents with his running ability. Rodriguez recounted how Johnston’s physical play during their recent game at Louisville, where he ran over defenders and fought for first downs, was “inspiring.”
The Gamecocks will continue to lean on Johnston as they look to improve offensively and capitalize on their opportunities in the red zone, aiming to score more touchdowns instead of settling for field goals.
As the team prepares for Southern Miss, Rodriguez stressed the importance of continuing to grow and learn from each game. While it’s frustrating when improvements don’t always translate to wins, he remains optimistic about the team’s potential, especially with the upcoming conference schedule.
“We’ve got the players that can do it,” Rodriguez said, noting that while the team has had its share of close games, they are still in a good position to turn things around. “It’s set up for us to get right.”
Jacksonville State will look to bounce back and showcase their progress against a talented Southern Miss team at home, hoping to deliver a strong performance in front of their fans.
