University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Football Enjoys First Day of Fall Practice, Friday
8/3/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 3, 2007
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Southern Miss began its football preparations for the 2007 season, Friday afternoon, as the team went through a split practice with newcomers first, followed by returning players, at the Joe P. Park Practice Facility.
With the temperature well into the high-90s, the first-year players kicked things off at 2 p.m., spending an hour and a half familiarizing themselves with position workouts and fundamental drills, before overlapping with the returning players for kicking operations and special teams.
"It was a good first day," Golden Eagle football coach Jeff Bower said. "It was a typical first day for the freshmen - learning and teaching. They'll look so different after five practices, and you won't believe what you saw the first day. That's part of them getting accustomed to what we're doing."
The returning players hit the field at 3:30 p.m., practicing for 2:20, before ending the day with a conditioning period.
"We have some guys that need to do some conditioning work, but overall as a team, I think we are in pretty good shape," Bower added. "You can tell who was here over the summer and who wasn't, because it's tougher to do it on your own."
Redshirt sophomore offensive lineman, Ryan Hebert, who sprained a ligament in his knee, sat out for today's activities and isn't expected to return for three more weeks.
The Golden Eagles return to the practice field, Saturday morning, with the newcomers beginning at 8 a.m., followed by the returners at 9:10 a.m.
Also on the opening day of fall practice, Southern Miss received national recognition with the release of the USA Today Coaches Preseason Poll. The team received a total of 14 voter points, which places them No. 41 overall and the highest ranking team of three Conference USA schools to receive votes. The Golden Eagles were followed by Memphis (No. 44) and Houston (No. 45) in the poll.
Southern Miss opens the season, Sept. 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.
