University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Football Goes Through Friday Morning Workout
8/10/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 10, 2007
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - The Southern Miss football team tried to escape some of the blistering heat, Friday, holding a morning practice that started at the Joe P. Park Practice Facility and ended at M.M. Roberts Stadium.
Despite the high temperatures that the Golden Eagles have experienced this week, Coach Jeff Bower has little worries about the toll of the extreme temperatures on his players.
"If you do what you're supposed to do during the summer months and get acclimated to the heat, you'll be alright -- as long as you're smart," Bower said. "I think it is an issue that if you have a young man who hasn't done anything all summer, then there has to be a different program for that person."
Following practice, Bower also spoke on junior Calvin Wilson (Hattiesburg, Miss.), who was declared eligible this fall by the NCAA, waiving the residence requirement allowing him to play in 2007 after transferring from Mississippi State last fall.
"That's a blessing for us that they granted his eligibility," Bower said. "We're thin at that spot, as we have one left camp and two that are hurt. We're moving him to guard, because he has a chance to be one of our five-best players on the offensive line. We will see how he competes with the other guards. He gives us another body, now that we know he is eligible to play. He has a lot of ability and has some work ahead of him to be what he's capable of being."
One injury reported by Bower after practice was that senior wide receiver Chris Johnson (Rosedale, Miss.) hurt his shoulder in practice but was unsure of the severity as he did not see when it happened.
Bower's final comment to the media after his team's two hour, 30 minute workout was to say good-bye to Southern Miss Associate Athletic Director for Media Relations, Mike Montoro, who guided the public relations for the team for the last seven years and was putting in his last day with the University, before starting a position as Sports Information Director for Football at West Virginia University.
"We're going to miss the dog," Bower said, referring to his nickname of "Red Dog" that he used for Montoro. "He's done a tremendous job here, and I'm going to miss having him around."
The Golden Eagles return to practice, Saturday, with a pair of workouts. The morning session starts at 7:35 a.m., while the afternoon practice begins at 3:55 p.m.
Southern Miss opens the season on September 1, hosting Tennessee-Martin in a 6 p.m., contest at M.M. Roberts Stadium. For tickets, call the Southern Miss Athletic Ticket Office at 1-800-844-TICK (8425) or via the internet at www.SouthernMiss.com.
