University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Eagles Continue Houston Preps
10/23/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
Eagles Continue Houston Preps
Hattiesburg, Miss. - Southern Miss Tuesday continued to prepare for Homecoming 2001 and a visit from Conference USA opponent Houston and Head Coach Jeff Bower says the Cougars are not a team to be taken lightly.
"Houston has a lot of big play guys on the offense," he said. "The quarterback is playing well, the running back is a good player, and they have two receivers, who can make the big play. They also changed their defense some for the Cincinnati game, apparently in an effort to stop the run, so we've had to prepare for a lot of different looks in that regard."
Bower says it's important for his team to get a win. "We're not doing anything different," he said. "We just have to practice hard, be accountable for what we do every single day, and if we'll come out here as a team, work hard and concentrate and do it hard every single snap of every single day, then that will determine how we play on Saturday. We really haven't changed very much this week. We do have to concentrate harder on taking care of the ball and getting better.
"We're disappointed that we haven't won the last two games, but our attitude has remained good. We've been positive in that regard, and I'm pleased with that. We have an opportunity to win a game, Saturday, and that's the most important thing we have to work with. We'll finish with good practices Wednesday and Thursday, go out and play the game with confidence and we'll be fine."
Even though it is homecoming week, Bower says he's been busy enough with game preparations that he has had little time to enjoy it. "We'll have a lot of people coming back to campus, it'll be exciting, and I hope we'll have another crowd like the UAB crowd earlier in the year," he said. "All the people, all the noise, that was a memorable crowd and a memorable game."
A variety of homecoming activities is planned in conjunction with homecoming weekend. Tickets for the game itself remain on sale at the athletic ticket office located in the Ferlise Center or by calling 601/266-5418 or 1-800-844-TICK.
