University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
College Football Calls A Halt
9/13/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
College Football Calls A Halt
Hattiesburg, Miss. - Events that unfolded today led to the postponement of most if not all of the coming weekend's football schedule, forcing Southern Miss' Golden Eagles into a hasty change of schedule that wasn't finalized until mid-afternoon.
Head Coach Jeff Bower's team was scheduled to play at Alabama Saturday afternoon. Instead, the Golden Eagles got the news on the postponement from Bower, put in a brief stretching and conditioning practice, and now will take off Friday and Saturday, before heading into practice for the Louisiana-Lafayette game with a Sunday afternoon workout.
Bower agrees with the national show of support for the victims of the northeast terrorist tragedy earlier in the week, saying, "Conference USA joined other conferences in a show of support for the victims of this tragedy, and in respect for the massive efforts that are underway to get this country back on its feet and to make this a safer country and a safer world. I agree with the decision. This is a lot of adversity for a lot of people, but this is a great country and these events will unify this country even more. We'll all come together, and be better because of it."
Bower also says this continues to be an unusual season. "Postponing the game means we will go three weeks without playing a game and that's a first in the 25 years I've been associated with the program." Depending on when the Alabama game is rescheduled, it also could mean the Eagles would have an amazing seven, non-game Saturdays during the course of the season.
While looking forward to playing the game, Golden Eagle players also were in agreement with today's decision. "When you look at what has happened this week, you realize that football is not that important," said Golden Eagle quarterback Jeff Kelly. "Our thoughts and concerns go out to all the people who have been involved with the tragedy.
"With back-to-back off weeks, I do think when we play next we will be a hungry team, ready to play. We worked hard this week, and I think we'll carry that over into next week's workouts."
Defensive back Chad Williams agrees. "I think all the players wanted to play the game, but I also think we all agree with the decision not to play," he said. "It was for the best, and it is important that we show our support for those people who continue to deal with an awful tragedy."
Several Golden Eagle players, even an administrator, had personal connections with the tragedy. Junior offensive lineman Jason Jimenez's uncle, who works in the World Trade Center, actually stopped on his way to work to vote, got to work just about the time the first tower was struck, and immediately returned home. John Miller's (Assistant Athletic Director for Football Operations) brother works in New York, senior running back Dawayne Woods' sister works in the Pentagon and sophomore defensive end Terrell Paul has a sister that lives in New York.
The Eagles will take off Friday and Saturday and work Sunday afternoon as they get ready for the Sept. 22 game at Louisiana-Lafayette.
