University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
D'Angelo Gets Nod At QB
8/26/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
D'Angelo Gets Nod At QB
Hattiesburg, Miss. - After three weeks of spirited competition, Head Coach Jeff Bower Monday named redshirt sophomore Micky D'Angelo (6-3, 215, Gulfport, Miss.) as the starting Golden Eagle quarterback, when Southern Miss opens the 2002 season Saturday night against Jackson State.
That will leave redshirt freshman Dustin Almond (6-2, 211, Orange Park, Fla.) as the backup after Bower also announced that junior Zac White (6-5, 242, Gardendale, Ala.) would miss the game, as he continues to recuperate from mononucleosis. He has been unable to practice since early last week.
We really don't know what Zac's situation is going to be over the next few days, and it would be unfair to him to try to play after missing this much practice," Bower said. "All three of the quarterbacks graded really close to each other throughout the fall. There hasn't been a lot of separation, but Micky has consistently graded just a little higher. It has been a close situation throughout the fall, as close as any since I've been here."
D'Angelo says any of the three quarterbacks could have gotten the nod. "I didn't find out myself, until today, and it's certainly something I've always dreamed about," he said. "But the coaches could have named any of the three of us and none of us would have had any reason to question the decision. I'll just go out and play the very best that I can, try to move the offense, with the understanding that if I don't get the job done, someone else will get the opportunity."
The Eagles also were late getting on the practice field today after heavy rains swept through the area just prior to the start of practice. However, the recently-renovated fields drained well and the sun was out for most of the workout.
Ticket officials also announced that some tickets that had been held in reserve for late season ticket sales, had been released and would be sold on a first-come, first-served basis. The Ferlise Center Ticket Office is open daily from 8 a.m., until 5 p.m., or tickets can be ordered by calling 601/266-5418 or 1-800-844-TICK.
Following the Jackson State game, Southern Miss stays at home for games against Illinois, Sept. 7, and Memphis, Sept. 14, before hitting the road for the first time, Sept. 21, at Alabama.
