University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Saturday Game Will End Spring Football
4/11/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Saturday Game Will End Spring Football
Hattiesburg, Miss. - Southern Miss will end spring football work with the annual Black & Gold Spring Game Saturday at 1 p.m., in Roberts Stadium, after working around afternoon rain Thursday and getting in the final pre-spring game workout.
Head Coach Jeff Bower says the squad made the progress that was needed in the spring. "I really think we've made solid progress this spring," he said. "We've worked a lot on the various phases of the kicking game, because we were not a very good return team last year and we really need to improve there."
Bower says he's not sure how much, if any, defensive end Terrell Paul will play in the spring game. He has a sprained knee. Defensive lineman Skylor Magee also will not play after an injury earlier in the spring, but everyone else should be ready to play.
For the second straight year, the Golden Eagles will wrap up the spring with a spring game that will be as close to actual game conditions as possible. "We probably do more than most schools toward having a real game," he said. "I told the players after practice today that every day in the spring is important, but the spring game is the most important day because it's game day, and we, as coaches, want to see who is ready to play, to make plays when we need them.
"From a fan's standpoint, the game should be fun. We'll be going one against one, so you'll be seeing good competition, the best competition we can put against each other. I hope we have a great crowd for the game. It's important for the kids. A big crowd makes the game mean more to the players and they play harder."
Former Golden Eagle greats Sammy Winder and Bobby Hamilton will serve as honorary coaches for the spring game. Winder enjoyed a standout NFL career with the Denver Broncos and Hamilton was a starter last season with the Super Bowl champion New England Patriots.
Southern Miss opens the 2002 season Aug. 31, at home, against Jackson State.
