MOBILE, Ala. – The University of South Alabama football program, under the direction of second-year head coach Kane Wommack, went through a nearly two-hour practice Monday morning at the James A. and Frances H. Yance Football Practice Facility.

South Alabama is scheduled to practice Wednesday morning from 9-10:45 a.m. All practices will be closed to the general public. The Spring Game will be held on Saturday at 10 a.m. and is opened to all fans. 

Below are highlights from post practice interviews with the media.

Head Coach Kane Wommack
- Opening Statement: "As far as today, I think it's hard coming off a scrimmage, 48 hours later and you are back out here. It's hot outside, its humid, yet we had a really physical and high energy practice. We tried to build a lot of competition into it. I think something we need to continue to build into our team is competitive greatness. The more we can build this competition into our team it is going to pay dividends as we get into the season."

- On the running backs: "I tell you what, Terrion Avery has taken the next step in his game. He has become a very consistent back. Certainly, in his run game he has taken a step forward. I think his vision is better, I think his timing and patience is better. But also, from a protection standpoint these backers are coming in hot so that has been really good to see. Damean Bivins continues to show up which has been exciting to see a big back like that who can do some things and create extra yardages. When you add La'Damian Webb to that mix you have a pretty good room going into the season."

- On the quarterbacks: "I would like to see some of the timing of the routes between receivers and quarterbacks improve as we go through spring ball. To me that is something you see the biggest difference in between the spring and fall is the timing of those routes. It's exciting to see Carter [Bradley] take more ownership and directive of the guys who are on the field with him. Desmond [Trotter] has done that pretty consistently this spring which has been encouraging as well. So from an overall execution standpoint the completion numbers might not be as great as they will be in fall camp but I am seeing some pretty good things right now."

Offensive Coordinator Major Applewhite
- On the running backs: "I thought those guys showed improvement, they're putting the ball in the right place. That's what's so critical, it's so hard to block these athletic defensive lineman and linebackers and as much as we do on defense—moving, stunting and pressuring—when you get them covered up and you blocked it for four or five [yards], you need to get four or five. They're putting their eyes in the right place, they're putting their pads square, getting downhill and finishing runs. I saw some really good things from some backs in the run game. Then I saw our backs stepping up a few times and being physical in pass protection and that's critical. When you're wanting to be explosive and hold on to the ball so guys can get down the field, you need backs that can step in there and do that. I see us trending in the right direction in that position."

- On the quarterbacks: "I thought that in terms of taking care of the football, we did a really good job. [The quarterbacks] didn't put the ball in jeopardy. We need to improve on some of the things in terms of our run-pass option game, finding our answers, being a little bit more anticipators instead of reactors. We did some good things today, kind of took our meeting room to the grass and showed improvement."

Defensive Coordinator Corey Batoon
- On how the defense has progressed over the spring: "I think the thing that we've learned over spring camp is that we had a really good winter. The student-athletes have gotten bigger, faster and stronger. I think they're playing more physical, because they're not thinking as much, they're able to play the game the way it's meant to be played, and from that standpoint we've improved."

- On goals going into the last week of spring practice: "A lot of situational football, putting the ball down in playing situations. Offense is mixing in their tempos and a lot of their scheme is like a mike and when it's not scripted, you get a chance to see guys play in and play out and what they can and can't do in game-like situations. As coaches, we've kind of pulled ourselves back the last five or six practice, tried to see if those guys can survive on their own, communicating and making the checks and that's what the last four days are like. [We're] trying to put in as many game situations as possible and continue to knock the top off this thing for the spring."   

Running back Terrion Avery
- On learning from Coach Bradford: "It's been so good having him. You learn different things from different coaches. I have been really focusing on my pass blocking and learning different techniques from him."

- On preparing for the spring game: "I feel good. I have just been working on running hard and running low. Of course, pass blocking as well, being able to catch the ball, just doing everything a running back needs to do so I don't have to come off the field."

- On reaching his goals: "I think last year has really prepared me for this one. Just coming in and learning the system, now I feel more comfortable. It's been good to have a coach for two years so that I can learn his system. Now when I try to help one of the other guys I know what I'm talking about. I know exactly what I'm saying. The same way if someone tells me to work on something I know exactly what to do."  

Cornerback Jalen Jordan
- On the spring so far: "I think the spring is going pretty well. I am learning the defense pretty fast and catching on quick. The scrimmages have gone well for the team. I think as a defense we are getting better and as an offense we are getting more physical so overall, we are making more explosive plays happen. As a team we are just getting faster and better."

- On the importance of physicality: "As a player it means that every play something should be happening. Passes happening, being more physical helps us in the run game as well. Then filling gaps, being in the right space to make plays."

- On his goals: "My goal here is to be the best I can be. I want to be a team player and a leader."

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