University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Preseason Practice Ends at Southern Miss
8/29/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Preseason Practice Ends at Southern Miss
Hattiesburg, Miss. - Southern Miss' football Golden Eagles put the finishing touches on preparations for Saturday's season-opening game, against Jackson State. That 6 p.m., game will be just the second meeting between the two teams. Southern Miss won the first one, 17-7, in 1987.
"We used today as a polish day," said Head Coach Jeff Bower. "It's time to play. I think we need to play. I know the players feel that way, and I'm sure the coaches do as well."
Bower announced earlier in the week that sophomore wide receiver Chris Johnson would miss the Jackson State game for "a violation of team rules," and today Bower announced that sophomore defensive lineman DeMarcus Barner had been suspended for the game, for "violating team academic policies."
The Golden Eagles will attend classes on Friday and spend the night away from the campus, before opening the much-anticipated 2002 season. Saturday's game will be a sellout, could set an all-time Roberts Stadium attendance record, and, marks the first of three straight home games to open a season for the first time since 1920.
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.
