University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Southern Miss Scrimmages Wednesday; Bower Concerned About Injuries
8/18/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
Southern Miss Scrimmages Wednesday; Bower Concerned About Injuries HATTIESBURG, Miss.
The team went through nearly a two-hour scrimmage in which the first, second and third-string offensive players competed against their defensive counterparts in a variety of situations, including third-down, goal line and an overtime period. The team also went through all phases of special teams in the evening period.
Southern Miss Head Coach Jeff Bower was pleased with the team's performance in the second scrimmage, but also saw some areas in which the team needs to improve.
"I thought some of the scrimmage went well," Bower said. "We made some big plays, but also some bad ones. At times we weren?t consistent -- with a good play, then a bad play."
Wednesday's performance was a good one for the offensive unit, led by quarterback Dustin Almond's 152 yards and three touchdowns on 7-of-12 passing. Almond connected with Anthony Perine on a 50-yard scoring combination early on and then had two touchdowns in the overtime period, a 32-yarder to Antwon Courington and an 18-yard score to Otho Graves. Damion Carter followed with 57 yards and one interception on 2-of-7 passing, while Jeremy Young, Travis Clark and Mitch Craft combined for 53 yards on five completions.
Anthony Harris paced the running backs with 66 yards on eight carries, with Larry Thomas and Cody Hull each adding 43 yards on 11 carries. Thomas also had a 5-yard scoring run, and Wayne Hardy finished the night with 14 yards on four carries and a 1-yard overtime score.
Courington finished with a team-best 60 yards on three catches with a touchdown. Marvin Young and Chris Rhoden each had two catches, for 24 yards and five yards, respectively. Bobby Weakley had the long-catch of the night, a 52-yarder from Carter.
Defensively, Trevis Coley led all players with five and a half tackles, and a half sack. Carsha Stromas, Nate Young, Jasper Faulk, and Antoine Cash each had three and a half tackles. Martavious Prince and Pierre Hutchins added three tackles apiece.
James Nelson, Michael Boley, Tom Johnson, and Hutchins each recorded sacks, while Nelson, DeMarcus Barner, Stromas, and Matthew Chatelain had a half sack each.
Naton Stewart, Darrell Benett, Akeem Lockett, Chatelain, and Eric Scott each recorded a pass breakup.
Howard Overby and Chatelain each recorded interceptions, while Tyler Patterson recovered a fumble.
"We gave up too many big plays on defense," Bower said. "I thought our offense really looked sharp in the overtime session. We also ran the ball extremely well."
Bower also said the defensive line is an area of concern.
"They have to learn how to play when they?re tired," Bower said. "We?re thin there right now. We need them to play longer and harder, and we need to get a few of them in better shape. They need to step it up."
Punters Luke Johnson and Britt Barefoot both had good days kicking the ball, averaging 48.3 and 44.6 yards, respectively. Darren McCaleb was a perfect 4-for-4 in extra points and made a 22-yard field goal. John Eubanks had the longest return of the night, a 99-yard scamper for a touchdown.
While some strides have been made on the playing field, injuries continue to plague the Golden Eagle football team, another concern for Bower.
"We?ve got a lot of people hurt," Bower said. "Some of them are key guys for us."
Freshman C.J. Barrows (broken finger), sophomore defensive back Caleb Hendrix (hamstring), redshirt sophomore offensive lineman Robby D?Angelo (knee), senior running back Sherron Moore (bruised shoulder), senior defensive lineman Chad Ruffin (hamstring), redshirt freshman defensive back Marcus Anderson (leg), continue to battle injury.
Bower also said that redshirt sophomore Greg Casnave will no longer play football due to a neck injury, but will remain with the team as a student coach. Bower added that results from an MRI on senior wide receiver DaRon Lawrence's knee revealed a torn ACL, but that there was no swelling and he could still play. Bower also announced that freshman linebacker Gerald McRath (shoulder surgery) will be out for the year, and that redshirt junior wide receiver Jason Morgan has left the team.
The Golden Eagles return to the practice field on Thursday for a single session at 7 p.m. The team then has two practices on the schedule for Friday, the first at 7:35 a.m., and the second at 3:55 p.m.
Saturday's slate includes the annual "Meet The Eagles" event, another opportunity to meet Bower and the 2004 Golden Eagle football team, who will be available to sign autographs following the team?s practice, from 12 p.m. ? 1 p.m., at M.M. Roberts Stadium.
