University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Football Completes Memphis Preparations
11/17/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 17, 2005
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - The Southern Miss football team completed its preparations for Saturday's Memphis game, with a two-hour workout inside M.M. Roberts Stadium today.
Head Coach Jeff Bower said the team is ready to play.
"We had a good week of practice," Bower said.
Saturday's game will be the 56th meeting between the two schools. Southern Miss (5-4 overall, 4-2 in Conference USA) holds a 36-18-1 series advantage, winning the past 13 meetings in Hattiesburg. In the series history, the two schools have met 19 times in Hattiesburg, with Southern Miss winning 18 times. Memphis' lone victory in Hattiesburg came in 1960, a 7-6 win. The Golden Eagles have won nine of the last 11 meetings in the series.
Following practice, Bower said that junior defensive back Caleb Hendrix (mild concussion) will not play on Saturday. In addition, Bower said redshirt junior offensive lineman Travis Cooley tore his patella tendon in Wednesday's practice, and is will be out for at least four weeks. Bower said senior Ricardo Clark will start at left guard in Cooley's spot, while senior John Eubanks will start at cornerback.
Bower said he hopes a good crowd will attend Saturday's "Black and Blue" game, following the team's four game road stretch. The team split four games, but Bower said he was proud of the way the team handled the stretch.
"I thought they handled it well," Bower said. "I'm disappointed we didn't win a few of them. I thought our guys fought and we got ready to play. It's great to be back at home. It seems like it's been forever. I hope it will be a great atmosphere. I want to encourage the fans to come out and support this team."
At Saturday's game, fans are encouraged to wear a black shirt, to "Black Out The Rock." On game day, a t-shirt reading "Black Out 2005 Southern Miss Golden Eagles Nov. 19th," and will cost $10 each, with all proceeds benefiting the USM Hurricane Relief Fund, which aids students affected by Hurricane Katrina.
For those wanting to purchase a shirt before kickoff on game day, booths will be set up at Gate 6 (the student entrance) of M.M. Roberts Stadium, The District, Alumni House and the Hub Plaza. The shirts will also be sold during Southern Miss' Second Annual Eagle Palooza to be held in downtown Hattiesburg on Friday, Nov. 18.
Tickets, including a special Rivalry Ticket Package, two for $20, are available for purchase at the Southern Miss Ticket Office, located in the Ferlise Center on West Fourth Street, by calling 1-800-844-TICK or by visiting SouthernMiss.com.
