University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Golden Eagles Set for Saturday Scrimmage
8/17/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
Golden Eagles Set for Saturday Scrimmage
Hattiesburg, Miss. - With two practices on Friday, the Southern Miss football team completed its last week of two-a-day practices. The Golden Eagles will continue to prepare for a Sept. 1 season-opener at home against Oklahoma State with a 11 a.m., scrimmage, Saturday morning, Aug. 18, at M.M. Roberts Stadium. The scrimmage is closed to the public but is open to Eagle Club members.
"The players and coaches are glad two-a-days are finished, and now we get to see our families more," Southern Miss Head Football Coach Jeff Bower said. "Tomorrow's scrimmage is critical. It will give the coaches a good idea of whose going to play and give a chance for us to evaluate special teams players.
"When we make our decision whose going to play, we have to keep in mind about the 66 travel squad limit. We have some tough decisions to make sometimes, and the special teams play can make the difference in who goes and who doesn't. We are trying to solidify our personnel, and that is never in stone and can always change. We're looking to put the best players on the field. We'll critique them real close."
Bower also commented on the difference between last year and this year at the close of two-a-days, having to make changes to solidify the offensive line last year. "We're deeper in the offensive line with the numbers than we were. However, We are pretty thin on the defensive line with the loss of Carlos (Crusoe). But we're not where we were last year, even though one or two injuries could change that."
Travares Comegys, who has been out with a minor tear in his meniscus, was back practicing on a limited basis. Derrick Ducksworth had an MRI on his shoulder, and he might have to have surgery on it. The offensive side is in pretty good shape with a few of the players that were hampered by injuries are now back practicing.
