University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Football 430 + 619 = "Stuff the Stands"
11/18/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Football 430 + 619 = "Stuff the Stands" HATTIESBURG, Miss. - That 430 is actually 4:30 p.m. And, the 619 is actually 6:19 p.m., and they actually represent the final two times Southern Miss fans will have to honor the 13 senior members of the 2003 Golden Eagle football team, and cheer the team on to a victory over TCU and into the Liberty Bowl. Eagle Walk starts at 4:30 and Golden Eagle seniors will be honored in ceremonies that start at 6:19. The game is scheduled for a 6:45p.m., kickoff and will be carried nationally on ESPN, the second Thursday night home game Southern Miss has enjoyed this season. Eagle Walk starts in the central part of campus, proceeds underneath East Stadium and ends at the Athletic Facility. The route is lined by fans taking part in what continues to grow as a pregame staple for Golden Eagle fans. That senior group and their family members then will be recognized for their outstanding contributions in ceremonies that will start at 6:19. Because of the magnitude of the game, athletic and university officials are making every effort to put a capacity crowd into Roberts Stadium for the showdown game with the Horned Frogs. "I'm just not sure that our fans realize just how important a large and vocal crowd is to our players," said Head Coach Jeff Bower. "It really makes more difference than I'm able to explain. All I can do is assure our fans that it is important and challenge them to help us make the game a hostile atmosphere for TCU." The Eagles will be saying a "home" goodbye to a group of 13 seniors who have helped not only maintain but also enhance a Southern Miss football tradition that enjoys a national reputation. "Our seniors are an integral part of our program," Bower said. "We look to them each year to provide the leadership and to maintain the traditions for which this program is so well known. It's important that everyone, teammates, coaches and especially the fans, make sure these seniors are aware of how much their contributions are recognized and appreciated. That's especially true when that senior group gets to its final home game of the season." The list of accomplishments the senior group has amassed is an impressive one. Some of those follow: Southern Miss 2003 Senior Class Accomplishments ? Combined record of 28-18 (.609) beginning with the 2000 season ? Conference USA Record of 19-9 (.679) ? Four-straight winning seasons, which helped keep alive a string of 10-straight winning seasons ? one of just 10 schools in the country to do so ? Four-straight winning seasons in C-USA play. Southern Miss is the only program to have a winning league mark in every year of C-USA?s existence. ? 14-5 record in home games (.737) ? 2000 GMAC Bowl Champions, 2002 Houston Bowl Participants ? Features members of the 1999 Conference USA Championship Season ? Featured in the national Top 25 polls 13 weeks ? 27 appearances on national television (57 percent of all games played during that time). ? Was part of the 2000 team that achieved the highest ranking in the USA Today/ESPN Coaches Poll (11
? The senior class has been a part of a Southern Miss defense that: o Leads nation in fewest defensive touchdowns allowed o Rates among the top 15 in interceptions over the past four seasons o Rates among the top 12 in sacks over the past four seasons o Finished in top 15 in scoring defense three times and top 40 in total defense three times ? Class features seven (7) first or second team All-Conference USA selections in 2001 or 2002, as well as five all-freshman honorees in 2000 ? Members Rod Davis and Etric Pruitt were named to a combined eight different All-American teams in the last two seasons ? Rod Davis was a Butkus Award Semifinalist twice and Etric Pruitt was named a Thorpe Award Semifinalist ? Etric Pruitt is the Southern Miss all-time tackle leader among defensive backs ? Etric Pruitt is the all-time kick block leader with six blocked kicks ? Rod Davis is the Conference USA all-time leader in total tackles (473). o He also is the school?s all-time leaders in unassisted tackles (328) and is second in overall tackles (473). o He is second in career tackles for loss (55.5), tied for second in fumble recoveries (8) and fifth in C-USA all-time tackles for loss. o A two-time All-American ? one of three players in school history to do so. o Also selected to the 2003 Playboy Preseason All-American team ? one of just two players in school history to do so. o Southern Miss? first Conerly Trophy (Mississippi?s Heisman) winner. ? Greg Brooks is all-time leader in pass breakups (45).
