University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Eagles Continue To Prepare For 'Bama
9/11/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
Eagles Continue To Prepare For 'Bama
Hattiesburg, Miss. - With the fate of Saturday's college football schedule nationally in question, The University of Southern Mississippi football team today continued to prepare for Saturday's game at Alabama under the assumption that it would be played.
"I don't have any control over whether or not games will be played this weekend," Head Coach Jeff Bower said. "All we can do is prepare as if the game will be played. I certainly will understand if the decision is made not to play. We're probably in better shape than most teams from a travel standpoint in that we only have to bus to Birmingham (Ala.).
"Many other teams around the country, and their fans, would have a far tougher time traveling. Today's events are tragic, horrific, and we had a team meeting on this situation. I know the thoughts of our coaches and players are with those who are suffering tonight. Again, I know we will understand if the decision is made not to play."
The Eagles practiced again today with only limited duty from starting running back Dawayne Woods (Sr., Slidell, La.), who injured a knee in a weekend workout. "He has a medial collateral ligament sprain," Bower said. "He ran around some today, didn't do any practicing, but I just don't know what his situation will be for the game this weekend."
If Woods isn't able to play, Bower says others will have to fill that void. "Kenny Johnson (WR, Gramercy, La.) is a guy who is ready to step up for us," Bower said. "He's had a good week of practice. We have held him out of some drills in an effort to get that knee well. We'll see a lot of 'man' coverage against Alabama, and we need him, LeRoy Handy (WR, Beaumont, Miss.), Dannye Fowler (WR, Hueytown, Ala.) and Rocky Harrison (WR, Tampa, Fla.) all to play well.
The Eagles are scheduled to depart Hattiesburg late morning Friday, work out at Legion Field in Birmingham, Ala., on Friday afternoon. The 4:45 p.m., Saturday game will be televised nationally by ESPN2.
