University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Bower Pleased With Newcomers In First Preseason Practice
11/14/2005 12:00:00 AM | General
Bower Pleased With Newcomers In First Preseason Practice
Head Football Coach Jeff Bower said the day was what he expected.
?It was a typical first day of practice,? Bower said. ?We had a lot of nervousness from some of our players. We got a lot of teaching done and we got a chance to test their abilities. I think we have an athletic group and they did a good job.?
Bower said that there is going to be a lot of competition between players for positions, because of the versatile nature of the newcomers.
?We have some players that can play on both sides of the ball, but we?re going to do what?s best for our football team,? Bower said. ?We?re going to put guys where we have immediate needs and place them where they can help this team the quickest.
?I got a good look at all of our positions today, especially our linebackers, wide receivers and defensive backs. I was also impressed with our offensive linemen. I think we?ve got five good prospects and they look good. They all ran and moved their feet well.?
Bower said that no injuries were sustained, but that CJ Barrows (knee) will be held out of practice for another week. He also said that Octavious Everett is expected to join the team in the next few days.
The newcomers will return to the practice field on Sunday, at 9 a.m. The remainder of the team reports to campus on Monday, with the first full team practice on Tuesday.
Southern Miss finished 7-5 in 2004, including a 5-3 mark in Conference
The team opens its season Sunday, Sept. 4, in a 3 p.m., nationally televised ESPN2 contest, in the annual ?
