University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
First Day Of Football Practice In The Books
8/4/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 4, 2006
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - The Golden Eagle football newcomers and returners practiced for the first time in preparation for the 2006 season today, as both practiced separately, in-between a 25-minute together period at the Joe P. Park Practice Facility.
The newcomers began practice at 2 p.m., in M.M. Roberts Stadium, learning the warm-up drills, before being timed in the 40-yard dash. The group then went to the Joe P. Park Practice Facility to begin learning the team's system.
"It was a typical first day for first-year players," Southern Miss Head Coach Jeff Bower said. "They were tight and nervous. This group will be no different than any other. Tomorrow will be better, the third day will be better and they'll look like a different group after five days. They did a good job and worked hard. It was a good first day for us."
Bower said the separate session for the newcomers is mostly about learning more about the players, and where they might fit position wise.
"We're trying to find out what we can about newcomers and teach them as much as we can," Bower said. "Some of those guys are going to have to help us. We're trying to figure out who, and make sure we set them in the right positions."
For the returning players, along with the newcomers, Bower and the coaching staff are setting a hard-work tone early.
"We're trying to build relentless work ethic on the field," Bower said. "If we do that and make our practices harder than the games, things can be good."
Bower said the most positive thing of the day, other than making it through the first day fully healthy, was being able to see the results of the off-season workouts.
"You could tell that the players worked a lot this summer," Bower said. "They worked a lot on their own and together. It was obvious that there was carry over."
The Golden Eagles return to the practice field at 8 a.m., on Saturday, with the newcomers practicing for about two hours, before the returning players join them for a special teams period for about 30 minutes. The returning players then practice for two hours on their own, to close the second day of preseason drills.
Southern Miss opens the season on Sept. 2, with a 5 p.m., contest at Florida.
