University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Football Practice Report: August 17
8/17/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
Venue: Carlisle-Faulkner Field at M.M. Roberts Stadium
Format: Full Pads
Upcoming: Practice 15 (8:15 p.m., Monday, Aug. 17)
Report: Southern Miss football was forced to move practice on Monday morning to the game field with light rain in the Hattiesburg area. The team worked out at The Rock in full pads after having Sunday off and a closed scrimmage on Saturday night. The rain cleared the area and the sun came out making the final hour of practice hot and steamy. The team continued to improve and prepare for the upcoming season, which starts in less than 20 days.
Head Coach Todd Monken
Impressions on Saturday night's scrimmage...
"I thought our energy was tremendous. I thought our guys want to and toughness was excellent. I thought it was great for the offense that we didn't turn it over. When you go against each other though it's kind of odd because you want turnovers created by your defense so you're fired up in one sense and disappointed in another because you know how important that is in terms of winning games. I really like our guys. I like the way they work and I like the way their mindset was Saturday night. That was the most impressive thing. I thought it looked like what you want it to look like. That's what I always talk about in terms of effort, in terms of alignment, assignment and energy. You want it to look like that. I thought our guys did a great job of preparing for Saturday night."
Did Saturday answer any questions?
"It answered questions in terms of some of the guys that I thought played particularly well. I think Jalen Richard is really coming into his own. I saw it today and I saw it Saturday night. I really think that the competition in bringing Justice (Hayes) here has helped. This is what I always thought Jalen could be; an every-down back. He never redshirted then last year he got hurt at the beginning of the year so I'm happy for him. He's earned it. He's dug himself out of a hole and he has really had a good camp."
On Devonta Foster being back...
"It's good. We were excited that it was just a minor shoulder sprain. Getting him back there gives us even more depth. I think our safety play has been really good and only getting better."
Wide Receiver Marquise Ricard
How are you feeling going into the season?
"I'm feeling really good. Game time is getting close. The students came back on campus so it has that feeling. We have been doing some good things and the offense looks a lot better. We have hired new strength coach and my body is feeling wonderful. I'm just ready to play."
Defensive Back Devonta Foster
What is it like playing with D'Nerius Antoine?
"The big thing is our communication together. We are always on the same level of communication. We both have loud voices so it is easy to play together. We just fit in very well."
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.
