University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Tennessee Preparations Continue on Campus Tuesday
9/4/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 4, 2007
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - After experiencing rainy weather for much of last week prior to its season-opening game, Southern Miss enjoyed nice weather for the second consecutive day as they continue preparations to face No. 24 Tennessee in Knoxville, Saturday. Game time is set for 6 p.m., central time, at Neyland Stadium.
The Golden Eagles went through a two-hour practice in full pads at the Joe P. Park Practice Facility and Southern Miss coach Jeff Bower described the practice as a physical workout.
Bower also added that freshman running back Antwain Easterling (Miami, Fla.), who had missed the last two weeks of practice, was given his initial eligibility waiver making the Golden Eagle fully eligible and available for this weekend's game at Tennessee. Easterling's ruling came on from the NCAA on appeal from Southern Miss.
"We knew it was just a matter of time," Bower said of receiving the word today.
Bower, though, did not say if Easterling would make his debut Saturday.
"I don't know," Bower added. "It depends on how he practices. He's missed some time and so we are catching him back up this week."
The Golden Eagles make their fifth trip to Knoxville this weekend as the Volunteers hold a 4-0 overall advantage in the series. All four previous games have been played at Neyland Stadium. The last visit from the Golden Eagles there came in 2000 and a Southern Miss fourth-quarter rally fell short with the Vols haning on for a 19-16 decision.
This week's game will be televised on a pay-per-view basis by VideoSeat in the state of Tennessee and on ESPN Game Plan throughout the remainder of the country. Please check your local cable or satellite company for availability in your area. The contest will also be shown on a tape-delayed basis by CSS.
