University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Twin Perspectives With Kevis and Trevis Coley
11/17/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 17, 2005
November 17, 2005: 16th Entry - On the loss against Houston, bowl eligibility, the future of their positions after they leave and the 56th "Black and Blue Game" against Memphis on Saturday:
*Notes from the Houston game: Kevis made 17 tackles (three solo; 14 assists) and recorded one fumble recovery. For the season, he has recorded 113 total tackles (57 solo; 56 assists), five sacks, nine tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. Trevis posted nine tackles (four solo; five assists) and one pass break up. For the season, he has recorded 79 total tackles (47 solo; 32 assists), two interceptions and two pass break-ups.
Trevis: We had a lot of opportunities against Houston, but we couldn't capitalize on them. They made a couple of big plays, but we still had opportunities to win the game, but we couldn't pull it off.
Kevis: This loss is heartbreaking and disappointing. We started off well in the first half, like all of the other games this season, but we couldn't finish the game. It's getting closer to the end of the season, but we still have to learn how to finish the game.
Trevis: We only have two games left to win in order to become bowl eligible. Like Coach Hopson says, we only have two choices: we can fight, or we can quit. We're still playing for a lot of things, so we're going to fight to become bowl eligible and have a winning season.
Kevis: We still have a mathematical chance of playing in the Conference USA Championship game if Rice beats UCF and we win these next two games. You definitely think about that because no one knows what the future holds and anybody is liable to lose any given day. We're still hoping to play in the championship game, but all you can do is play hard and fight, and hopefully the best thing will happen.
Trevis: Regardless of what happens these next few games, when it's all over it's going to be up to the younger guys to keep everything going for Southern Miss after we're gone. The guys in the secondary are young, but they've gained experience of playing together this season and knowing what the other is thinking. Based on what they've learned this season, they should be fine going into next season.
Kevis: The linebackers are going to be okay after I leave. We are young at linebacker, but they've learned a lot from me and other guys this season. I hope that they are going to be ready to step up next season. They have to get in the study room and learn as much as possible, while getting in as many reps as they can in practice to become the best player that they can be.
Trevis: Southern Miss has an 11-year tradition of winning seasons and they're going to continue that after we're gone. Southern Miss always finds a way to win, so next year's team is going to be ok.
Kevis: The defense is going to be good without the Coley boys. I felt like we brought a toughness to the defense, but they're going to continue to have that mental and physical toughness after us.
Trevis: This weekend's "Black and Blue Game" against Memphis is a great rivalry. We lost a heartbreaker to them up there last year, but it's a new game this Saturday. Regardless of the rivalry, we are appreciative of everything that they did for us by hosting us after Hurricane Katrina. They took us in, fed us and took care of us, but we still have a football game to play, a win on the line and a rivalry to renew.
Kevis: The "Black and Blue Game" is a great rivalry. It's a good name for the rivalry, because it's going to be physical. The toughest team is going to be the one that comes out of this game with the win. It means a lot to have the fans behind us in this rivalry, by creating a great atmosphere by "blacking out" the game. It's going to be a great game and we're looking forward to playing back at The Rock.
