MOBILE, Ala. – After a few days off due to an open week last weekend, University of South Alabama football head coach Joey Jones, safety B.J. Scott and running back Demetre Baker sat down with the media Monday to preview this weekend’s matchup against Texas at San Antonio.

A few highlights from Monday’s press conference are below.

Head coach Joey Jones
On the open week and this week’s contest at Texas at San Antonio:
“I think it was a good time for our players to have an off week – it came at a good time for them mentally and physically. As far as Texas at San Antonio goes, they are a very hungry football team. They remind me of us a couple of years ago, the way we came out that first year with a lot of hunger and excitement. They have some really good players. Offensively, they do a lot so we’re really working hard defensively this week to get prepared for all that they do. They are a really sound football team defensively; they’re very well-coached and have some real tough, hard-nosed guys inside. It’s not as multiple as their offense is, but they are very sound defensively. They are very similar to their offense in special teams; they do a lot of things with different return games and kickoffs. Their whole team is making us prepare for a lot of different things.”

On the key to preparing for a team with multiple sets:
“You have to prepare for all of it, and that takes away from some of your time during the week. We have to be prepared for all of it. The key to their offense is the quarterback; he does a very good job. He can run and throw, and with that they can be multiple so we have to work on all of it because we don’t know what they are going to do.”

On the bye week following two consecutive losses:
“I talked to the team today about how the little things matter. When you do the little things right, the big things seem to work out. We have to work on us, and if we work on that this week and really concentrate on getting better then we’ll let the chips fall. But our kids are excited. They are excited about being back and playing games again, but that two-to-three day break helped us out.”

Safety B.J. Scott
On the open week and preparing for Texas at San Antonio:
“The week off was a chance to let us get our legs back under us and get some rest to get ready for this week’s game. Coach talked a lot about Texas at San Antonio being hungry, but I really feel like we as a team are really hungry. I just want to see how we come back and compete this game after losing two straight. I think the way we come out will say a lot about our team.”

On facing a multiple offense:
“My mindset right now is to watch as much film as possible to be ready for this game. This team [Texas at San Antonio] has the most formations I have seen since I started playing football. It’s going to take a lot of focus. From a defensive standpoint, we just have to dissect the small things and improve on that side of the ball.”

On improving individually:
“I’m never comfortable, no matter how much success I may or may not have. I’m always looking for something to make me play a little harder. I don’t ever feel like my work is done – I’m just hungry. I have to find a way to get that through to my teammates, and I want them to follow the way I play on the field.”

Running back Demetre Baker
On the open week:
“I think the off week was better for most of the players who needed to recover, and it allowed us to refocus and figure out what we’re doing wrong and what needs to be fixed. I think the two losses affected us – it helped us refocus and reminded us to stay hungry. But the break we got was the break we needed to allow us to refocus and recover.”

On the open week following two losses:
“I’m eager to get back on the field, and I think the guys are too. That’s the point of football – you’re going to win some and lose some. When you do lose, it’s all about how you respond. When you win, it’s all about what you learn from it. I don’t think any game is going to be perfect, and it is going to be a battle every game. The ones who fight the most are the ones who come out with the win.”

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