University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Twin Perspectives With Kevis and Trevis Coley
11/10/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 10, 2005
November 10, 2005: 15th Entry - On the overtime win against Marshall, what the win did for the season, the new rivalry between Southern Miss and Marshall, and wrapping up the final regular season road game against Houston this Sunday:
*Notes from the game: Trevis recorded a season-high 18 tackles (eight solo; 10 assists) against Marshall. For the season, he has recorded 70 total tackles (43 solo; 27 assists), two interceptions and one pass break-up. Kevis made 14 tackles (eight solo; six assists), two sacks and had 2.5 tackles for loss against The Thundering Herd. For the season, he has recorded 95 total tackles (53 solo; 42 assists), six sacks, nine tackles for loss, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
Kevis: Once we got into overtime against Marshall, I knew that we were going to put up a good fight. After the blocked field goal, we had the momentum going into overtime. Coach Bower gave us a pre-game speech about how much you had to want the win, and we wanted it bad enough to get the win and did it."
Trevis: For our first overtime game of the season, I think we handled the pressure well. Champions always find a way to win, and we're a championship caliber-team that found a way to win against Marshall in overtime.
Kevis: There's a big difference being 5-3 (4-1 in C-USA), instead of 4-4. With this win, we can still reach our goal of winning a conference championship and hosting it at The Rock, if we win these last three games. We want the championship game here, and being 5-3 is much better at doing that then 4-4.
Trevis: I was proud of the defense and special teams in blocking two field goals, especially the last one. We knew we had to block it, and the game came down to it. We sent everyone against the kick and were able to get the job done.
Kevis: The attitude changed a lot with all of the players before we blocked the kick, and after we did it. Before the kick, most of the guys on the sideline were hoping and praying that we blocked it. After the blocked kick, everyone rejoiced and was excited. We were scared and nervous, but we kept the faith and were confident that we could do it.
Trevis: We were disappointed that Marshall got back into the game after we started off with the lead. We've been playing like that for the last three or four games, where we get a team down, and then all of a sudden, they start putting points back on the board. That's always frustrating to hold a team down the first half, and then they come back in the second half and put up yards and points on us. I said this last week, but we have to get better at that before it comes back and bites us.
Kevis: Marshall is a good team that gave us a run for their money. It's going to be a good rivalry between Southern Miss and Marshall for years to come. They're a team used to winning. They play hard all four quarters, but especially in the fourth quarter because it is their best quarter of football. There is a great amount of respect between Southern Miss and Marshall, because they play just as hard as we do.
Trevis: It's hard and frustrating to get an emotional win like this, board a plane late at night, get in early in the morning, get up and go to class and be at practice without a day off, getting ready to do it all again in four days against Houston. We have a lot of practice and games ahead of us. We don't have any choice in the challenge before us, so we have to make the best of it. It does feel funny to be at practice without a day off, especially with some of us who have bumps and bruises. You have to be able to play through the pain.
Kevis: Only having to wait a few days until we play Houston has its advantages and disadvantages. It's a quicker turnaround for a game, but we have less time to prepare. Game time is coming quick, but that's the advantage in getting ready to play instead of waiting around all week. I'm very excited to play Sunday, and hopefully get the win.
Trevis: I'm excited to have these last two games at home (Nov. 19 vs. Memphis and Nov. 26 vs. Tulane). Having the chance to win out and be Conference USA Champions is a great opportunity for us.
