University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Golden Eagles Go Through First Two-A-Day Workouts
8/9/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 9, 2007
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - The Southern Miss football team completed its first day of two-a-day practices, Thursday, with an early morning session at the Joe P. Park Practice Facility, followed by a late afternoon workout that ended at M.M. Roberts Stadium.
The Golden Eagles went in full pads during the early practice that last 2 hours, 30 minutes. That final stage of the workout was finished with a registered 111-degree heat index.
The afternoon session began on the practice fields as well, before the Golden Eagles utilized their final hour of preparation time over at "The Rock," where the temperatures rose into the high 90s. The two-hour afternoon workout consisted of shoulder pads and shorts.
In the afternoon session, sophomore running back Damion Fletcher (Biloxi, Miss.) wore a green jersey, limiting his action on the field during the practice.
"It's nothing bad," Head Coach Jeff Bower said. "It has something to do with his lower hamstring, but we wanted to not do a lot with him today."
Bower also announced that one player, freshman offensive lineman Jake Thames (Monticello, Miss.), had left the team and that another member, junior offensive lineman Julius Gray (Poplarville, Miss.), has been absent from practice for a couple of days to deal with personal issues.
The 17th-year head coach also praised incoming freshman Micah Pellerin (Madison, Miss.), who has been working both as a wide receiver and defensive back during the early days of camp.
"We moved him over to defense," Bower said. "He had a heck of a day for a first day. He was physical and made some plays and showed me a little something today."
Another true freshman making an impression during the early portion of preseason camp is running back V.J. Floyd (Orlando, Fla.), who has also caught Bower's eye.
He's doing well," Bower added. "We're pleased with him."
The Golden Eagles will take to the field only once on Friday, beginning at 8:30 a.m., before resuming two-a-days on Saturday.
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.
