University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Golden Eagles Arrive in New Orleans
12/16/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 16, 2009
NEW ORLEANS - After going through a late morning practice on campus, the Southern Miss football team boarded buses for the Big Easy and arrived at the team hotel just before 5 p.m., Wednesday afternoon.
For Southern Miss coach Larry Fedora and the players, it is a return trip to the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl, in which the Golden Eagles defeated Troy, 30-27, in overtime and capped off a string of five consecutive victories to end last season.
"We are excited to get back to New Orleans," Southern Miss coach Larry Fedora said on his arrival. "We had a good practice at home this morning and they were excited to get on the buses and come down here."
A brass band was awaiting the Golden Eagles at the team hotel and a couple of the players who call the area home enjoyed the nice welcome for the team's Sunday night game against Middle Tennessee.
"It feels great coming back to close to where I am from and just hearing the music getting off the bus gets everybody excited about the game," said senior Ryan Hebert of Shriever, La., which is approximately 50 miles southwest of New Orleans.
For fellow senior Gerald Baptiste of New Orleans, it is chance to come home for his final collegiate game.
"Pulling into the hotel and hearing all he music just reminds where I am from," Baptiste said.
Along with the victory a year ago, the team enjoyed a wonderful four days in the city and Fedora expects that to be the case again this December.
"They do a tremendous job (with the bowl), not only with our players but also with our fans," Fedora added. "We are looking forward to it this week."
The Golden Eagles return to the practice field tomorrow with a late morning workout at Tulane and will enjoy a bowling outing during the evening.
