University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Football Practice Report: August 11
8/11/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
Venue: Joe P. Park Practice Facility
Format: Helmet, Shoulder Pads, Shorts
Upcoming: Practice 9 (9:30 a.m., Wednesday, Aug. 12)
Report: Southern Miss football returned to the practice field on Tuesday morning for a two and a half hour workout. The team benefited from overcast skies and some light rain to keep the sweltering temperatures down for the first time during fall camp. The team completed 12 periods during the practice, including team drills, individual work, 7-on-7 drills and route running in preparation for their second two-a-day practice tomorrow.
Head Coach Todd Monken
On three practices in just over one day...
"They worked hard. It's just a matter of having a sense of urgency, a purpose to your practice. Everyone has the same amount of time. Everyone goes through double days. You get 29 practices so you say, `Alright. What are we going to get out of it?' We've got some guys that continue to get better and we need to continue to get better as a team."
Since last year, how far has the team come mentally and physically?
"We've come a long way, a really long way. We are a lot more talented. We have the right kind of guys. We have had the best summer academically with not having to worry about guys going to class and doing things right. I think it's a byproduct of that. We have guys not missing workouts. In a week and a half, I haven't heard guys complain about the heat or working too hard. We just had guys come out and go to work. That's a great sign that started in the offseason and has carried over."
On team's identity...
"It's about scoring points. It doesn't matter how you do it. There are a number of ways to do it. It's about scoring points everything else doesn't matter. Yards don't matter. It's about scoring points. What allows you to score points are explosive plays, not turning the ball over, third down conversions, red zone score zone and lost-yardage plays. Whether we have tight ends out there or not, we have to find ways to score."
Linebacker Anthony Swain
On fitting in with the team...
"I'm just trying to work. There are a lot of guys out here working. I got in late so I'm trying to work hard and fit in where I can. I'm trying to step into a leadership role for the simple fact that I'm a fifth year (senior). I have been playing ball for four years now so I'm just trying to step in and fill the void that this team needed while trying to be a leader."
Wide Receiver Casey Martin
On the offense...
"I'd say we are a lot more confident that we are going to put up numbers this year. Everybody is on the same page with the quarterbacks and everyone knows everyone so there is a lot more chemistry."
Next Game: vs. Mississippi State (9 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 5, Fox Sports 1)
Tickets: Season tickets for the 2015 Southern Miss home season can be purchased by going online at SouthernMissTickets.com, or by calling the Athletic Ticket Office at 1-800-844-TICK (8425) as well as visiting the Pat Ferlise Ticket Center on weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
