MOBILE, Ala. – University of South Alabama football head coach Steve Campbell, offensive coordinator Kenny Edenfield, defensive coordinator Greg Stewart, along with quarterback Desmond Trotter, wide receiver Jalen Tolbert, defensive lineman Charles Coleman III and linebacker Nick Mobley met with the media Monday to review the Coastal Carolina game and preview Saturday's game at Louisiana.

Head coach Steve Campbell
- On his thoughts on the Coastal Carolina game:
"After the first two series, I thought defensively we really settled in and played well against a team that was averaging 40 points per game. The defense gave us an opportunity to stay in the game and opportunity to win the game. We were able to create a couple of turnovers and got the ball in good field position. We were able to get some stops, but what we've got to be able to do is score touchdowns when we get in the red zone. We were able to move the ball between the 20s and the 10s. We just weren't able to punch it in, and whenever you play the 15th-ranked team in the country, you've got to score touchdowns.

"We knew Coastal was good on defense; they had shut out Georgia State the previous week and had held Georgia Southern to one offensive touchdown the week before that. I thought we were able to do some things in the green zone, but when we get it in the red zone, we have to be able to stick in in the end zone and score. This week, we're going to work on finishing those drives."

- On this week's game:
"Our guys know what's at stake. This is a very important game because it's the next game, but also because Louisiana sits just ahead of us on our side of the division with one loss. We know where we're at from the standpoint of the conference standings heading into this game. We play a west rival and it's a huge game with a lot of implications. There's a lot riding on this game."

- On the team being 'right there':
"I feel we are a couple of plays away. We didn't get back until about four o'clock Sunday morning so we'll watch the film with them today and start on our preparation for Louisiana. They'll see in the Coastal game, just as they did in the Georgia Southern game, there's one or two plays that can determine the outcome of the game. They know how close we are. Now, we have to move from being close to where you win those games. We're in that position right now. If we can understand what we need to as a team to make those one or two plays, you can go from a team that's close to a team that is sitting where you want to be sitting.

"It's one thing to say that and later figure it out when it's too late. We still control our own destiny and this week is huge for us. If we can make those two or three more plays that it takes to get over that hump, we'll be in good shape. Our emphasis this week is to not be close, but rather get over that hill."

- On the lack of scoring in the fourth quarter in the four losses:
"Some of it is the same deal in all four games and some of it is a mistake here and a mistake there. We definitely need to look at what we're doing. If it's the same mistakes, then we need to look at what we're doing. That's definitely something that we're looking at. We need to find a way to score some points in the fourth quarter, because obviously what we've been doing hasn't been getting it done. Thankfully we're in position where if we're able to figure that out this week and get the win, we'll be in good shape."

Offensive coordinator Kenny Edenfield
- On the Coastal Carolina game:
"We have to get it in when we get it 4th-and-goal from the one (yard line); that one was pretty painful. We got down there in the red zone and just sputtered out a couple of times, and we have to do a better job of finishing those [drives]. We felt really good about our [game] plan going in there. They had only had 11 red zone opportunities against them, but most everybody had scored. We'll go back to work and get a good plan together. We had been doing really well in the red zone, and I think we'll do great in the red zone this week."

- On distribution to multiple offensive players:
"Teams are definitely trying to avoid the explosive plays. The games that we haven't played our best in, we've had to try to come back at the end and win and we have not had enough explosive plays. That could be from the fact that opponents are playing really deep on us, and we have to be able to do some other things to make that happen. I like the fact that other guys are stepping up when their opportunity comes, and that's really what you want; you want to have enough guys and weapons to where if the opposition is taking away something that somebody else can hurt them. That has been really surprising, I think, to a lot of people, but we knew it because we see it in practice."

- On Louisiana's defense:
"They are really sound. They like to bring a little bit of pressure here and there, but it's a real sound, structured defense. They are going to make you go the long haul; they're not going to give you a lot of deep balls down the field. The one thing that will be interesting to see is if they press us like they have. Some games they press a little bit more on the corners than they do other games, so that will be interesting because if you do get them pressed then you have some opportunities to hit some shots down the field. When they play deep and off, it's a lot harder to make those things happen. It will be interesting to see how they mix that up. Last year they did a little bit of both and changed it out, and that is what I suspect they will do this year."

Defensive coordinator Greg Stewart
- On the defense's performance against Coastal Carolina:
"It was good, but on the first two series you can't let the number 15 team in the country score. They ran what we call a 'push play' the first play of the game and we made the tackle for no gain. They ran the same play next play, we did not make the tackle and he ran it for like 50 yards [46]. That kind of got us whirling early. In the second series, we needed to tackle. They threw a route to Jaivon Heiligh and we have to do a good job tackling. We stressed red zone all week and after those two drives we did pretty good in the red zone. When you play really good teams like that, they are going to get it down there but you have got to find ways to make them kick field goals. I thought they played hard, we got a couple turnovers and I was proud of that."

- On the improved defense:
"Better, much better. We were able to force a couple turnovers; we stress running to the ball and the ones that we did have, they were full tilt running to the ball. That gives you an opportunity to prove a point on film to where if you do that, this is what happens. Hopefully we will keep getting better on that every week."

- On Louisiana:
"They're a good team. [They] Run the zone really well. Levi Lewis seems like he has been around forever. Trey Ragas and Elijah Mitchell are big backs. They got most of their offensive line back. It will be a challenge, because what they do they do it really good. They don't run many plays, but they run a lot of formations and run the same plays [out of different looks]. We have to do a good job of staying in our gaps, setting edges and tackling. We are looking forward to the challenge. It's something that we can get done. We are fired up about going to play them. We know what's at stake."

Quarterback Desmond Trotter
- On the Coastal Carolina game:
"We did not complete the drives. We knew what we wanted as a team once we got in the red zone, but we have to get more than just three points. The offensive made strides, but we have to finish our jobs and finish the game.

- On having multiple weapons at receiver:
 "It was huge to be able to throw to almost every one on the field. It helps soften up the defense on [Jalen] Tolbert and Kawaan [Baker], and it's good to have those two to rely on. It gives them confidence, and it also gives me confidence."

- On the offense:  
"We still have confidence, and we are going to continue being positive. Coach Campbell has always told us that we are this close to being the better team. I feel that we are the better team, but we have to execute what we do."

Wide receiver Jalen Tolbert
- On the Coastal Carolina game:
 "There were multiple moments where we were close to the goal line and came out with field goals, but we did not push through to the end. Our goal is to turn those moments into touchdowns. We have to play better offensively. Our defense did what they were supposed to do, so we need to match their energy and complete our drives offensively."

- On moving forward:
"We are pushing and working harder every day. We are confident that we are going to finish strong, and we are going to play a full game as a team. We are going to continue coming back harder and limiting our mistakes.

"We know that Louisiana is a good team, so we know that we have to come in strong this weekend. We know that our mistakes can hurt us, so we have to limit our mistakes going in. We have to be ready and come out strong. We need the defense to keep doing what they did last week and the offense to pick up the same energy so we can play a complete game."

Linebacker Nick Mobley
- On the defense's performance against Coastal Carolina:
"We executed the game plan; we gave up a few runs and great passes early on. After we settled in, we played how we always play. Our confidence is continuing to build up, and we are coming in stronger and harder each game."

- On the key to success against Louisiana:
"We have to control the line of scrimmage and limit the passing game, and we're going to execute that plan on Saturday. This is our next opportunity to prove ourselves and show what we are made of."

Defensive lineman Charles Coleman III
- On what the defense did well this past week against Coastal Carolina:
"We were able to catch them up the middle and force them to spread out more."

- On what the increase in playing time meant to him:
"It meant a lot to be able to play and show what I can do. My team encouraged me throughout practice and told me that I'm going to need to step up with me being young. It felt great for me to do as well as I did. I had a lot of faith in myself, and my team had my back. The coaches prepared me all week for it, and I went out there and did what I needed to do."

- On the plan for this weekend:
"We are going to come out this weekend and do what we have been doing all season. We are going to keep working hard in practice, making plays and staying focused so that we can have a strong finish on Saturday.

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