University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Bower Says Cougars Present Problems
11/4/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Bower Says Cougars Present Problems
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Southern Miss' football Golden Eagles Tuesday continued to prepare for a return to Conference USA action this weekend when Head Coach Jeff Bower and his team visits Houston, getting in what Bower termed a "productive practice."
"I thought we got some things done, even though we slid a little at the end of practice," Bower said. "We have to keep our intensity level up throughout the week, if we're going to be ready for a team that can score and score quickly. "They really move the ball well. They score a lot of points and do a lot of things offensively. You have to prepare for so much when getting ready for them. I also think they're really athletic and fast on defense. They're a good team, and we have to be ready to play well." Southern Miss goes into the game with a 5-3 record, but undefeated in league play at 4-0. Houston is an identical 5-3, but is 2-2 in C-USA action, putting the Cougars in a near must-win situation. "We're undefeated in the league, but that still doesn't give us room for mistakes," Bower said. "When you're in our position, and as important as the game is for us, we want our players and coaches to approach the game as a 'must-win' game for us, it's that important. The game will send a Golden Eagle defense that has not allowed a touchdown in the past eight quarters and only one in the last 11 periods against a Houston team that averages 436.6 yards of offense a game. Southern Miss will work Wednesday and Thursday before departing for Houston Friday. Following this trip, the Eagles return home for two final home games, against Tulane (Nov. 15) and TCU (Nov. 20) before closing the regular season at East Carolina (Nov. 29). Game time for the Houston game is set for 4 p.m., CT.
