University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Separate Practices Over, Full Team Hits Field Friday
8/7/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Separate Practices Over, Full Team Hits Field Friday
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - The Southern Miss Golden Eagles wrapped up the final day of separate practices and will take the field for the first time as a full squad on Friday.
This year, the first week of practices were divided with the first-year players in the morning session and the varsity squad in the afternoon.
The new format is one that Head Coach Jeff Bower has liked, as both the varsity and first-year players have had more individualized attention.
"This has been real good with the four days of practicing the players separately," Bower said. "We have been able to teach the new players a lot and give them more attention. And with the varsity, it has been good. I like our routine and what we did. Everyone has gotten repetition, and that has helped from a conditioning standpoint."
Bower also was pleased with the final morning practice for the first-year players, as the new group has been progressing through the practice routine over the first four days.
"We are just progressing and adding to our scheme each day," Bower said. "We are introducing the players to a couple of different things with our practice routine so they know what to do tomorrow."
While signee Jeremy Young worked with the varsity on Wednesday, it was signee Damien Carter's turn to work with the veterans today. And like Young, Bower saw good things from the first-year quarterback.
"He has a good throwing arm, and he did well," Bower said. "It was similar to yesterday's practice (with Young), Carter is a poised guy, too."
Friday's full-squad practice is scheduled for 1 p.m.
