University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Football Continues Tulane Preparations
11/23/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 23, 2005
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - The Southern Miss football team continued preparations for Saturday's regular-season finale today, with a two-hour practice at the Joe P. Park Practice Facility.
Tomorrow, Thanksgiving Day, the team will eat dinner together and practice like a regular Thursday.
Sitting at 5-5 overall, 4-3 in Conference USA, Southern Miss looks to extend a non-losing season streak to 12, with a win over Tulane on Saturday. Head Coach Jeff Bower said the team has a lot to play for.
"We've got a lot to play for on Saturday," Bower said. "The week has gone well thus far. We've had a good week, but we need to finish it up strong, be good with our assignments and take care of our mental preparation after tomorrow's practice till game time."
Saturday's game also marks the final time 14 Golden Eagle seniors, Dustin Almond, Terrance Ford, Tom Johnson, Antwon Courington,Bradly Worthington, John Eubanks, Trevis Coley, Kevis Coley, Luke Johnson, Akeem Lockett, Kendel Wheeler, Neal Mead, Ricardo Clark and Pedi Causey step onto the field.
"The senior class has said all season that they don't want to be the one to break the winning season streak," Bower said. "I know it is important to them. I'm very proud of our seniors. They've done well for us, helping us win a championship in 2003 and go to bowl games. It's a quality group."
The two teams were originally scheduled to meet in the season opener on Sept. 4, but Hurricane Katrina forced the game to be moved. Both Southern Miss and Tulane have been affected by Katrina, as Tulane has been displaced from its school.
The Green Wave has spent the semester at Louisiana Tech in Ruston, La., and have played `home' games in Monroe, La., Shreveport, La., Mobile, Ala., Ruston, La., Baton Rouge, La., and Lafayette, La. Tulane has played 10 games in 10 different stadiums, with Saturday's game, will match an NCAA record first set by Southern Miss in 1975, as the Golden Eagles, with Head Coach Jeff Bower at quarterback, played all 11 games in different stadiums due to the renovations of M.M. Roberts Stadium. Southern Miss spent eight days on the campus of the University of Memphis, after food, water and basic necessities were in limited supply.
Saturday's game will be the 27th meeting between the two schools, with Southern Miss holding a 19-7 series advantage. The team has won the past two meetings, including the last meeting in Hattiesburg, 28-14 in 2003. Southern Miss has won the past five meetings in Hattiesburg, and own a 10-3 advantage in Hattiesburg. Tulane's (2-8 overall, 1-6 in Conference USA) last win in Hattiesburg came in the 1993 season, a 17-15 victory.
Bower said despite everything, Tulane is a dangerous team.
"They've got nothing to lose, and it's their last game for their seniors," Bower said. "We know how tough its been on them. We'll get their best shot. We've gotten everyone's best shot all year long. Tulane has a senior laden group and a lot of experience. We have to bring our `A' game and play our very best."
Game time on Saturday is set for 2 p.m.
