MOBILE, Ala. – University of South Alabama football head coach Steve Campbell, offensive coordinator Kenny Edenfield, defensive coordinator Greg Stewart, along with wide receiver Jalen Tolbert and linebacker Nick Mobley met with the media Monday to recap the Georgia State game and preview Saturday's game at Arkansas State.

Head coach Steve Campbell
- On what he saw after reviewing film on the Georgia State game:
"I saw missed opportunities. Georgia State turned the ball over to us and we took advantage of the first one and was able to put the ball in the end zone. We had the early lead and was able to move the football for the better part of the first half, but we took a sack in a third-and-5 situation. From there, we would have one little thing here or there [that would happen to stall us]. That goes back to explosive plays; we have to find a way to create some. We're relying too much on the deep ball to get those explosive plays and we have to find a way to manufacture them without doing that because our opponents are taking away the deep shot, and we haven't been able to do that the past couple of weeks.

"Run-game wise, I believe we rushed for 160 [yards] before you take away the sack yardage. We've been able to run the ball decently the past couple of weeks. Not eight or nine yards a pop, but around the four-yard threshold, which is where you need to be. We have to find a way to manufacture some explosive plays in the run game as well, to make defense want to put more people in the box.

"Defensively, [Georgia State] was gaining yards in the first half, but we were to stop them and have our guys make plays. We were getting off the field and creating some turnovers. In the second half, Georgia State made more plays and did a better job of protecting the football. That's where the separation came."

- On three-and-outs after an opponent scores:
"It does put us in a bad position. We need to answer after a team scores. In the games that we've been in pretty good shape where we've had a lead, our not answering scores has cost us. We scored to go up 14-7 and I thought we had the momentum but they took it down and tied it up. We then went three-and-out, and they scored again. We were forced into passing on offense then, and we're probably not best suited to do right now, but it's what we felt like we needed to do in order to score points. We've got to be able to answer when our opponent answers us. We have to be able to hold serve.

"This game to me reminded me of the Tulane game. Jared [Wilson] had some big runs [on the last touchdown drive] and we were kind of imposing our will at that point. Right after that, Georgia State answered quickly and we came out and did not answer. That's were it got away from us. We'll make adjustments."

- On running back Jared Wilson getting more playing time:
"I think he has earned more playing time. Jared has practiced really well all year, and hasn't really had that many opportunities this year. We've told him to just keep working and that his time would come. He played really well the other night and every time we gave him the ball, he made something happen. He's earned an opportunity to get more playing time. Carlos [Davis] has been battling through some stuff, and to me has shown his toughness over the last couple of weeks. It's good that Jared has stepped up. Terrion [Avery] has also stepped up back there."

- On the approach heading into these last two games:
"We're blessed to have an opportunity to play, and we've still got a chance to get to five FBS wins, which is as many as we've had in a while. We need to get to that mark. We beat Arkansas State last season and they're going to want some payback, but we want to win two in a row against Arkansas State. There are five teams in our division and we've been able to beat two of them so far this season. With a win in this game, we'll have beaten three of the four on our side of the league. That's what's on the line for this week. There are a lot of reasons to play. We want to win this one in order to better our standing in our half of the league. It would put us out-right in second place in our division, which would be a jump from a year ago.

"Our players have played tremendously hard and are giving us great effort. We have to put them in better position to make some of those plays in order to get over that hump. We're close. They're tired of hearing us say that we're close and I'm tired of saying it. Where not were we want to eventually get to, but with a victory this weekend, we will have closed the gap in our half of the league."

Offensive coordinator Kenny Edenfield
- On answering opponent's touchdowns:
"We probably have to look at what we've been successful at and try to hit some of those plays – maybe plays we have been successful with in earlier drives. Just trying to make something happen on that series so that our guys can get some more confidence, because I think that's really what it is. I think once they (Georgia State) scored it took a little wind out of us as a team, and if we can respond right there then I think we gain some confidence. We were able to do that some last year, and have been able to do it some in the games we have won this year. I think that's what we have to keep striving for – maybe using some plays that we have great success with early in the game, and come back to those plays instead of maybe the situation."

- On quarterback Desmond Trotter's play against Georgia State:
"During the game I didn't think he was playing as good as he had been, but after watching the film he played pretty solid. I thought he played pretty well. When he had the opportunity to throw the ball he threw it well, he tried to get away from some scrambles at times and create some things and he made really good decisions in our RPO game. That is where we had our best success Saturday night, and he did a nice job of that."

- On the Arkansas State defense:
"They have a really big nose guard; he's huge and does a really nice job. Their linebackers run around pretty good. They are very similar to what they were last year, in that they are a 3-4 structure but they play a little different in the secondary kind of like Texas State. They have guys coming downhill really hard. We're going to have to get them to come down to stop the run. If they can stop the run then we should have some opportunities to throw the ball."

Defensive coordinator Greg Stewart
- On Georgia State:
"I think when they threw that little dig to Sam Pinckney early in the third, we had a chance to get that down and you have to get that ball down. That was one play and I think there were three plays in the second half [That hurt the defense]. Tucker Gregg got out of a gap and hit for a long run, and then a post to Pinckney going toward the scoreboard. Those three plays in the second half are the plays we have got to make. First half, we make four plays, second half, they make those three plays for touchdowns and that was the difference in the game."

- On the turnovers:
"Some days offense plays good, some days defense plays good but it doesn't matter, you have got to do what you have got to do to win the game. In the second half, we needed to step it up, and get that guy down on that first crossing route, we have got to get that post down and we have got to do a good job of staying in our gap on the run. I was proud that we wanted to come out and start fast. [Christian] Bell had a pick on the second play. We need to continue that into the second half. We have talked about it and we have to inspire [the players]. That's what good coaching is, we have to inspire. We need to do a better job of that. Our student-athletes play extremely hard. There were a couple plays in the second half we needed to make and some in the first half that we did make. I was proud of them about the first half"

- On Arkansas State:
 "They have a couple good quarterbacks and a really good receiver. They are all good looking. Corey Rucker is their guy. I think they do a good job with both aspects, they make you honor the run and they try to pop you for a big one. We are going to have to make some plays in the run game without using the safeties, which is good. It'll be a good challenge for us, I am excited about it and I know our players are too."

Linebacker Nick Mobley
- On the Georgia State game:
"We had a few plays that led to touch downs, but we need to do more of that moving forward."

- On moving forward:
"Arkansas State has a good team, and we are prepared to rise to the challenge. Our attitude is that we have another game, and it is time to show what we are here to do. We have to be prepared, focused and ready to play on Saturday."

Wide receiver Jalen Tolbert
- On the offense's performance against Georgia State:
"We have to make more explosive plays because we progress together as a team when we do that. We have to continue to play hard and find a way to put in all of our efforts as a team and win."

- On what game made you notice that the focus was starting to get away from you?
"Honestly, it was after the ULM game. They weren't allowing us to rise to the level, so we had to hit harder and try to keep up with what we could. They were playing full coverage, and it's hard to run down the field when they're playing that type of coverage. We have to get past that and face the adversity to pull off a win."

- On his game against Arkansas State last season:
"It was a great team win and a great way to end the season. We made some explosive plays, and that's what we have to do as an offense. We have to find a way to make those plays, whether it's myself or someone else on offense, to lead us and help us in these next two weeks."

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