University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Eagles Will End Week With 6 a.m., Friday Practice
8/22/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Eagles Will End Week With 6 a.m., Friday Practice
Hattiesburg, Miss. - Southern Miss' football Golden Eagles will get in a quick, hour-long 6 a.m., Friday workout to end their third week of fall football workouts.
Following that workout, the players will attend Friday classes and then have off until late afternoon Sunday when the team returns to campus for meetings. Full scale Jackson State practice starts Monday afternoon.
"We took a little more time to watch tape today, after yesterday's 'mock' scrimmage," Head Coach Jeff Bower said. "We didn't go as long today as we normally would, but I thought it was a good workout, that we got a lot accomplished."
Junior linebacker Rod Davis missed today's workout. "He has a slight shoulder problem," Bower said. "We're just going to keep him out of contact until Monday. They don't want him taking any licks on it. He'll be fine, ready to go Monday. Also, (junior defensive lineman) George Brice had surgery today to repair cartilage damage, and will be six to eight weeks."
Monday, coaches and players alike will turn their full attention to the Jackson State game and what Bower calls an explosive offense. "They make big plays, they're explosive," Bower said. "Their receivers' yardage-per-catch is way up there, and they averaged 33 points a game or so last year. They're explosive."
Bower also says that, with the exception of the quarterback spot, where a decision on a starter should come sometime early next week, the other positions are set. "There could be changes between now the first game, based on performance, but that's the case with any position. We just need to get some of our injured players ready to go."
The Golden Eagles open the season, Aug. 31, in Roberts Stadium against Jackson State. Single game ticket sales for that game were suspended last week, and any tickets remaining after season ticket sales have ended, will go on sale next week. Southern Miss follows that with two more home games, against Illinois, Sept. 7, and Memphis, Sept. 14, before hitting the road for the first time, Sept. 21, at Alabama.
