The Beatings Continue: South Alabama 52, Kentucky Wesleyan 3

Joey Jones may have said it best during Monday’s press conference before Saturday’s game against Kentucky Wesleyan.

“We challenge ourselves each week in practice to be the best we can be, regardless who we’re playing.”

That ominous omen came on the heels of a question about how his South Alabama Jaguars stay motivated week in and week out against teams that have no business being on the same field.

He also said: “We keep trying to improve each week so when we do play a team that challenges us, we’ll be ready.”

Saturday’s latest lack of challenge was provided by Kentucky Wesleyn at Ladd-Peebles Stadium.

This time the game was over just one play after it started when Brandon Ross sprinted 62 yards to the Panthers’ 2 on the first play from scrimmage.

Kendall Houston scored two plays later and Jordan Means tacked on the PAT for a 7-0 lead with just one minute gone.

From there ushers in the stands started circulating calculators throughout the crowd as a total of 45 points were scored in the first half.

Only three belonged to the Panthers as unbeaten USA stepped off the gas in a 52-3 beat down.

The numbers were, again, ugly as the Jags rolled up 419 yards of total offense.

Kendall Houston had two short TD’s on the ground, quarterback Myles Gibbon was 4-of-7, but for 139 yards and a TD, while wide receiver Courtney Smith continued his quest to become USA’s first-ever player in the Senior Bowl with 3 catches for 91 yards and a TD.

Paul Bennett and Lamontis Gardner also added TD receptions, and Santuan McGee chipped in with a short scoring run.

Meanwhile, the defense forced five turnovers and stifled the Panthers at every turn.

But what, again, can they take from another scrimmage against an opponent that simply wasn’t worthy?

“You can’t look at it through rose colored glasses,” said Jones afterwards. “But we can’t get complacent.”

And how does he motivate them when all his players know they issued another ass whipping to an inferior foe?

“You have to be honest with them,” said Jones. “The tape doesn’t lie.”

No it doesn’t.

And what his players will see on tape Sunday and Monday is a good effort on their part against a team that put up minimal resistance.

Next victim:  Missouri S&T next Saturday at Ladd.

The beatings continue.