University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Football Holds Second Major Scrimmage
8/19/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 19, 2006
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - With a 112 degree heat index on the field in M.M. Roberts Stadium today, the Golden Eagle football team went through its second major scrimmage, after which over 3,000 fans and youth football participants were able to "Meet The Eagles," with autograph and photograph opportunities with the players and coaching staff.
"The scrimmage was good and bad, just like it is when you go against each other," Head Coach Jeff Bower said. "I think we were improved offensively. It wasn't as good defensively. We gave up a lot of yards running the football, but we did a good job of running the ball. We'll evaluate the tape and go from there."
Bower assessed where the team stands, with two weeks to go before the first game of the 2006 season.
"I'm never happy," Bower said. "We've got a lot to do in the next two weeks. We really do. This was a game rehearsal. We had some communication problems and substitution breakdowns. We'll be better because of it."
Offensively, Stephen Reaves led the quarterbacks, completing 6-14 passes for 114 yards and a 53-yard touchdown pass to Chris Johnson. Jeremy Young completed 6-17 passes for 74 yards and a touchdown and an interception. Young had a 19-yard touchdown pass to Joe Singleton.
"Both quarterbacks did some good things," Bower said. "We missed some throws, including one for a score that was picked off. The other interception wasn't the quarterback's fault. They made some good throws. We dropped some good throws that were right on the money too."
Cody Hull led the running backs with 91 rushing yards on 12 carries, including a 21-yard touchdown run. Hull also had a long run of 40 yards. Damion Fletcher had 11 carries for 70 yards, including a 14-yard touchdown run. Larry Thomas finished with seven carries for 34 yards, including a 10-yard touchdown run. Conrad Chanove posted 18 rushing yards on six carries, including a three-yard touchdown run.
"We wanted to get a lot of looks at Damion," Bower said. "He did well. It all starts up front. We blocked people today. We had a chance to make some big plays running the football. It was good to see us run the football. It was totally opposite from Monday's scrimmage."
Johnson led the receivers with two catches for 59 yards, including a 55-yard touchdown. Joe Singleton caught two passes for 25 yards, including a 19-yard touchdown. Damion Carter had two catches for 27 yards, including along catch of 14 yards. Shawn Nelson added a catch for 10 yards, while Josh Barnes had a 14-yard reception.
Defensively, Gerald McRath, Vontre Mason and Howard Overby each finished with six tackles. Mason posted two sacks and two tackles for loss, McRath had a tackle for loss, while Overby finished with an interception, tackle for loss and a fumble recovery. Mam Nyang finished with five tackles, including two sacks and two tackles for loss, while Ladarius Webb also posted five tackles, including three pass breakups and a fumble recovery. Marcus Raines finished with four and a half tackles, while Caleb Hendrix added four. Jerome Lyons and James McDevitt each forced fumbles, while Ken Griffith also recovered a fumble. Brandon Sumrall also added an interception, while Wayne Hardy had a sack.
Britt Barefoot had five punts for 222 yards, for a 44.4 yard average, including a long punt of 49 yards. Barefoot was also 1-2 on field goals, connecting on a 48-yard attempt. Brett Hicks had eight punts for 245 yards, averaging 43.1 yards, including a long punt of 72 yards.
Jasper Faulk had two punt returns for 70 yards, including a 60-yard touchdown run.
The team will take Sunday off, before holding a single practice on Monday. The Golden Eagles will then have their final two-a-day practice on Tuesday, before school starts on Wednesday. Starting Wednesday, the team will then begin preparations for Florida, in addition to getting on the normal school practice routine.
Golden Eagle fans are also reminded that season tickets are now on sale. Additional information on tickets is available by contacting the Southern Miss Ticket Office at 1-800-844-TICK, 601-266-5418, or online at www.southernmiss.com.
Southern Miss opens the season on Sept. 2, with a 5 p.m., contest at Florida.
