Football Continues New Orleans Bowl Preparations
12/13/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 13, 2005
HATTTIESBURG, Miss. - The Southern Miss football team continued its preparations for Arkansas State in the Wyndham New Orleans Bowl at Lafayette today, with a two-hour practice at the Joe P. Park practice facility.
Head Coach Jeff Bower was not pleased with Monday's practice, which he called `sluggish,' most of which he attributed to exams. Bower was pleased with the team's practice session today.
"We had a better day today," Bower said. "We had good work and got some things done. We've got to practice better than yesterday. Today was a lot better."
The coaching staff has hosted recruits in practice this week, as signing day approaches. Bower said it is important for potential signees to see what a Southern Miss football practice is like.
"The kids get to come out, watch us practice and evaluate at our personnel," Bower said. "It gives them an opportunity to see how our practices are structured and gives them an idea of our routine."
Following practice, Bower updated the status of several injured Golden Eagles. Junior wide receiver Anthony Perine (hamstring) is "doing fine," while junior center Robby D'Angelo (knee) "has not done much." Bower added that senior offensive lineman Ricardo Clark, who started at left guard in the final two games of the season in place of Travis Cooley (torn patella tendon) "broke a bone in his wrist." Bower said he has been held out of practice, but will play against Arkansas State with a big cast on his wrist.
The team will take Wednesday off, before returning to the practice field on Thursday. Friday's practice will be at night, before the team departs on Saturday afternoon.
Southern Miss finished 6-5 overall and 5-3 in Conference USA this season. The team will meet Arkansas State in New Orleans Bowl on Tuesday, Dec. 20 at 7 p.m., CT. It will be the Southern Miss' eighth bowl game in the past nine years, and will be the fourth consecutive bowl appearance. The 6-5 record also is the 12th straight winning season for the Golden Eagles, who is one of only seven schools that have achieved the mark.
Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets from the Southern Miss Ticket Office. Premium sideline tickets are $40 each, Goal line tickets are $20 each and Southern Miss student tickets are $20 each. Priority ticket deadline is Fri., Dec. 9 at 1 p.m., and for ticket information call 1-800-844-TICK, 601-266-5418 or visit www.southernmiss.com.