University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Bigger, Stronger, Faster
8/7/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Bigger, Stronger, Faster
Hattiesburg, Miss. - Southern Miss players used today for strength and conditioning testing before starting two-a-day workouts on Thursday, and the results from the morning running/afternoon lifting tests were impressive.
"We had more people here during the summer who put in voluntary early morning and late afternoon conditioning workouts than we've ever had before," Head Strength and Conditioning Coach Charlie Dudley said, following today's testing sessions. "We had a lot of players who got bigger, faster and stronger during the summer, and the results showed today. I also think that by having as many players as we had during the summer, that the sense of togetherness and camaraderie that you otherwise don't have."
Wednesday was devoted to a series of timed 110-yard runs in the morning, and vertical jump and bench press reps in the afternoon.
Linebacker Joe Henley (6-0, 225, Sr.) had the top vertical jump at 40-inches. Defensive end Terrell Paul (6-3, 240, r-Jr.) and defensive back Corey Hosey (6-1, 195, r-Jr.) tied at 39.5-inches and defensive back Seth Cumbie (5-11, 181, r-So.), linebacker Chris McNair (6-3, 212, r-Fr.), and defensive backs Alex Ray (5-11, 205, r-Jr.) and Corey Yates (5-10, 177, r-Sr.) all tied at 38-inches.
Weight testing was done by position groups and consisted of bench press repetitions with a 225-pound weight. Offensive lineman Jeremy Bridges (6-4, 300, r-Sr.), defensive lineman Carlos Crusoe (6-3, 285, r-Sr.), linebacker Chris Langston (6-2, 225, r-Sr.), and defensive linemen Chad Ruffin (6-0, 263, r-So.) and Eric Scott (6-0, 270, So.) all completed 25 reps with the 225-pound weight.
"Results from our conditioning tests today are a good indication of just how dedicated our athletes are," said Head Coach Jeff Bower. "Coach Dudley and his strength and conditioning staff are to be commended for the work they did with our athletes during the summer, and the players for being dedicated enough to use the summer productively, when they could have been doing other things. I think the results will show on the field."
Aug. 11 will be devoted to Media Day/Meet the Eagles activities that start at 2 p.m., in Roberts Stadium. Fans are invited to meet their favorite players as well as hear Bower talk about the upcoming season.
Two-A-Day workouts also will continue Aug. 12-17 with practices scheduled for 7:35 a.m., and 3:55 p.m., each day. Classes start Aug. 19, and the Golden Eagles open the 2002 season Aug. 31, at home, against Jackson State. 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.
