University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Eagles-'Bama Game Is A Go
9/12/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
Eagles-'Bama Game Is A Go
Hattiesburg, Miss. - With a decision to play the game made, Southern Miss' football Golden Eagles turned their full attention today to getting ready for Saturday afternoon's game with Alabama, a 4:45 p.m., start at Legion Field in Birmingham, Ala.
Toward that end, the Eagles got in their final heavy work day of the week Wednesday, a workout that pleased Head Coach Jeff Bower. "I thought we had a third-straight good workout," Bower said. "Thursday's another important day for us. We'll cut back some, but there's still a lot that we need to get done, some things we've got to do better."
Bower also feels the decision to play the game is a good one. "I feel we need to heed President (George) Bush's request that we try to get back to normal as quickly as possible," said Bower. "We have a national day of mourning on Friday and that's important as part of the nation's healing process. We have the greatest sympathy for those who continue to suffer from Tuesday's events in New York, Washington and elsewhere. At the same time, I think the players agree with the decision to play the game. We had an off week last week and have worked hard this week."
Bower also says starting running back Dawayne Woods (Sr., Slidell, La.) will miss the game after having arthroscopic surgery on his injured knee Wednesday morning. "There was a slight cartilage tear there," said Bower. "We just felt like we needed to go ahead and get it done. He had not practiced and his chances of playing were slim, so we decided to go ahead and get it done and get him well. There's a chance he'll be ready for the Louisiana-Lafayette game."
In addition, Bower says wide receiver LeRoy Handy (Jr., Beaumont, Miss.) is a little better than in recent days, while offensive lineman Kendrick Key (Sr., Batesville, Miss.) did not practice much and his status for the game remains uncertain.
The Eagles are scheduled to depart Hattiesburg late morning Friday by charter bus.
