University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Football Practice Report: August 18
8/18/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
Venue: Joe P. Park Practice Facility
Format: Helmet, Shoulder Pads, Shorts
Upcoming: Practice (4:15 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 20)
Report: Southern Miss football completed the last day of preseason camp on Tuesday morning at the Joe P. Park Practice Facility. The team worked out for two and a half hours in shoulder pads, helmets and shorts. The practice was lively as the Golden Eagles did a number of individual, 7-on-7 and team periods in the practice. The team will have Wednesday off for the first day of classes. Practice will resume on Thursday afternoon, which will be the regularly scheduled time for in-season practices.
Head Coach Todd Monken
On fall camp ending and school starting Wednesday...
"We ended last week on a real high. We have started this week and there are a lot of distractions. The scrimmage is over and you get complemented. Everyone likes to get their ego stroked; then all of a sudden everything is a little bit different. There is school. There are students (on campus). I have to get my books and we are eating in a different spot. It's just, `How do I handle everything around me and still stay focused?' It's only going to get more difficult for guys that don't do a great job of managing their time. When we are around them all day it's one thing for every minute to say hydrate, eat, sleep and do it the right way. You're not around them all day long now so it falls back on them to manage their time and be able to come out and still be at their best every day."
How have the transfers adjusted to the Southern Miss lifestyle?
"They've done fine. I don't see that being an issue. We have to do a great job of them understanding time management. Our coaches have to do a great job of making sure they're (in class). We need to continue to work and do the things we do to be great student-athletes, great students and great football players."
Defensive Lineman Andrew Bolton
How does it feel to finish your career close to home?
"It feels really good to be back close to home with my family. I know everyone on the team is happy to have me too. They are like brothers to me. Now that I'm closer, my father and family are able to come see me."
Quarterback Tyler Matthews
How have the transfer students come in and helped the offense?
"As far as a maturity, leadership standpoint and athletic ability, Justice (Hayes), Taylor (Marini) and Julian (Allen) have done a great job. Defensively, D'Nerius Antoine and some of the guys up front on the d-line have been working their tails off. The mindset is just great. Coach (Zac) Woodfin and his staff have done a great job of changing the mindset. We're grinding and doing a great job. Offensive guys have done a great job picking up the offense and rolling with it. Overall, they have done a great job so it's going really 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.
