University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Southern Miss Continues Full Padded Practices on Thursday
9/6/2012 12:00:00 AM | Football
Season Ticket Information | Single Game Ticket Information
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Southern Miss continued to enjoy their off-week practices on Thursday with a full pads practice at high intensity at the Joe P. Park Practice Facility.
The session, which last roughly two-hours, was the third consecutive day of intense work and fundamental drills for the Golden Eagles who have their bye week this weekend.
"Physically, we have gotten a lot better with a lot more competition, toughness and showing the ability to work through things," said coach Ellis Johnson. "We worked a lot in the red zone today, a lot of third-down situations and then we had a couple of periods where just went as fast as we could go - almost illegal - just putting the ball back on the ground and going and going. We got a lot out of it and the last three days overall were exceptional."
Following the practice, Johnson also announced that true freshman quarterback Anthony Alford will be the team's starting quarterback heading into next weekend's Conference USA tilt with East division rival East Carolina.
"We looked at the tape and practice and so forth, the thing that gives us the best chance to move the sticks and to stay ahead of the down and distance right now and Anthony (Alford) is going to get the lead reps," Johnson announced. "I don't want him looking over his shoulder, second-guessing himself every other play, but he has go to play well, or we are going right to the next guy. Chris (Campbell) is getting the second-most number of reps right now and Ricky (Lloyd) is still getting some reps. We can't keep it on an even split anymore. We are into the season. The guy has got to get the job and he has to do the job. If he doesn't do the job, it is going to be the next guy's job."
Alford, who saw action against Nebraska, led the team in rushing with 84 yards on 15 carries and led the offense for the majority of the second half.
Tickets for the 2012 Southern Miss football season can be purchased either online at SouthernMissTickets.com, by calling 1-800-844-TICK (8425) or visiting the Pat Ferlise Ticket Center from 8 a.m., until 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
