University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Head Football Coach Jeff Bower' Weekly News Conference
11/29/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
Head Football Coach Jeff Bower?s Weekly News Conference
Opening Statement:
?It was a good performance from our players in the game. We played well defensively the whole game. I thought we did a good job of defending the pass. It was probably Darrell Hackney?s lowest completion percentage all year long. We did a good job of putting pressure on the quarterback. Offensively, the second half was a lot different. Dustin Almond was a big spark for us. He really played well. With the exception of the fumbled snap, I thought we were good on special teams. We did a good job on our coverage units. It was a good game for us, and it?s good to get a winning season and another bowl bid. We?ll be excited to go to
Players Of The Week:
?On offense, we had co-players-of-the-week, Dustin Almond and Anthony Perine. Almond played 40 snaps and was 10-of-14 for 129 yards and two touchdowns. He had two or three balls dropped. He was sharp for us, and he played really well, after coming into the game in the second half. Perine played 27 snaps and graded 88 percent. He had six catches for 69 yards and did a good job. We also had co-players-of-the-week on defense, Michael Boley and Caleb Hendrix. Michael Boley played 60 snaps and graded 88 percent. He had four tackles, four assists, a tackle for loss, two sacks and two forced fumbles. He?s a great ball player. Hendrix played 62 snaps and graded 90 percent. He had five tackles, one assist and one pass breakup. He played really well. On special teams, it was Darren McCaleb. He was three-of-three on extra-point attempts and two-of-two on field goals. His 45-yarder was a big field goal. He hit it well.?
On Injuries:
?We came out of the game in good shape. We don?t have any serious injuries. We had several guys who played hurt in the game, and did a good job.?
On
?
On If He Will Talk To The Team About Not Being Intimidated Against
?No. We?re just getting ready to go play. We?ve got a lot of respect for their football team. They?ve had a great year and are a good football team. I like our football team too. We need to come out and play with a lot of enthusiasm and emotion like we did last week, and have a great week of practice. It?s going to take a good effort, in all three phases.?
On If The Cal Game Is Winnable:
?Yes it is.?
On The Team?s Playing With Emotion:
?It was there the whole game, even though we struggled offensively in the first half. Jeremy Young had a rough time against UAB in the first half. We played with emotion the entire game. It was good.?
On What Happened To The Emotion In The Last Three Games:
?Our emotion wasn?t bad against
On If
?Pretty much. They?re doing everything. They?re running well, and throw it with the play action pass. They?re a sound football team. They give you a lot of different formations, shifts and movements, and do a good job.?
On If There Is Still Hard Feelings Because Of How The Game Was Postponed:
?No, not with me. I just didn?t agree with how the decision was made.?
On How Wednesday?s Conerly Trophy Presentation Will Affect Michael Boley?s Practice Schedule:
?I don?t know yet. I can?t afford to let him miss a lot of practice. He might have to leave a little early, but we?re trying to work that out. We want him to be a part of the ceremony, but at the same time, it?s a heavy practice day.?
On What Michael Boley Means To The Defense:
?He?s had another great game against UAB. He?s a playmaker. He?s a good football player. As I?ve said so often, when you?ve got guys like him, he?s got to step up and play well for us to be what we want to be. He has done that. He?s been real consistent and has made a lot of plays.?
On If Last Year?s Game Stays In The Mind Of The Players:
?I don?t know if it does. We didn?t play very well out there last year. I know our players want to play well and win.?
On If Messing Up The BCS Is Motivation For The Team This Week:
?No. We?re just getting ready to win a game. That?s enough motivation right there. Just to win a ballgame and beat one of the best teams in the nation. They?re deserving of their ranking.?
On The Senior Class:
?It?s been a great group. A lot of them have already graduated. It?s another quality class. They had a lot to do with our performance last week. They did a good job with the leadership last week. I really like this class. They?ve had a lot of success here, won a championship, bowl games and all winning seasons. They?ve done extremely well.?
On If He?s Surprised That The Bowl Bids Went Out Early:
?Yes. I didn?t even know there was going to be a deal last night, until I got the call.?
On If The Team Is In A Better Position To Win The Game Now Than In September:
?I don?t know if you can say that. As I said back then, we were coming off the
