JACKSONVILLE — The Jacksonville State football team topped the heat and humidity as it returned to the practice field Monday, following an off day Sunday. Just 12 days stand between the Gameocks and their season-opener against Chattanooga in Montgomery.

"I thought we handled the heat pretty well," head coach John Grass said. "We had our up's-and-down's, for the most part, but we had good competition. Guys wanted to fix things from the scrimmage and get better.

"We've worked some Chattanooga stuff already during fall camp. This week you really start to zone in on them, so we'll have two weeks to prepare for them. But we don't know what to expect from them with that new coaching staff."

While the Mocs' new coaching staff may present a few question marks for the Gamecocks, one position that is ready to take on a Chattanooga attack is the JSU offensive line, where Justin Lea calls home.

"We have good leadership in guys like Justin Lea, Dylan Cline and Tyler Scozzaro. They have played a lot of snaps for us. There are also guys like Darius Anderson and Branqavious Bussey, who are battling for a spot this fall camp." Grass said. "We feel like we are deeper up there than we have ever been."

Lea, a three-time All-American, has started every game three-straight seasons. Cline, a redshirt senior and two-time Preseason All-OVC selection, has started 26 games during his playing career, while Scozzaro has appeared in 17 games entering his redshirt-senior season. Darius Anderson, who transferred to JSU from Eastern Carolina prior to the start of last season, and Nuka Yobo, a redshirt freshman, are expected to round out the offensive line starters. Freshman Ye'Majesty Sanders, redshirt senior David Neece, senior Spencer Watley, redshirt sophomore Bussey and freshman Tyrese Slocomb are slated as back-ups from right to left.

"I think we'll go into the year with eight or nine guys that can contribute," Grass said. "And we have freshmen who are making a name for themselves as we get closer to the start of the season."

JSU is prepping for the 2017 season, which opens on Aug. 26 in the Guardian Credit Union FCS Kickoff in Montgomery's Cramton Bowl. The Gamecocks will face Chattanooga in a 5:30 p.m. game that will be televised on ESPN. Season tickets for JSU's five-game home schedule, as well as tickets to the opener in Montgomery and the second game of the season at Georgia Tech in Atlanta are available now in the JSU Ticket Office. For more information or to purchase tickets, call (256) 782-8499 or visit www.JSUGamecockSports.com/Tickets.