University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Football Practice Report: August 6
8/6/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
Venue: Joe P. Park Practice Facility
Format: Helmet, Shoulder Pads, Shorts
Upcoming: Practice 4 (9:30 a.m., Friday, Aug. 7)
Report: Southern Miss football got a little more physical with Thursday morning's practice as the Golden Eagles strapped on the shoulder pads for the first time during camp. The Black and Gold once again had a workout for two and a half hours in the summer heat and humidity with a little bit of cloud cover. The practice included 12 periods that included team sessions, group sessions and game-day situations.
Head Coach Todd Monken:
What is the deepest position on the team?
"It's the linebackers and D-Line. We have 16 scholarship defensive linemen and we have 12 scholarship linebackers. That's as many options as we have ever had here on the defensive side. Now, offensively we're deeper at O-Line but we are still short one or two and we are short at wide out. Outside of that, it's the defensive front seven that are the deepest."
On the running back competition...
"It's been great. Ito (Smith), Jalen (Richard) and Justice (Hayes) have been great. I anticipate that all three will play and be major contributors."
With the addition of tight end and the depth at running back, is this the offense that you envisioned coming in?
"I envision being able to score and not turning the ball over. I would agree having tight ends here help. You've got to be able to run the ball better. Julian (Allen) is still progressing after missing all spring. Taylor (Marini) is fighting his butt off. We have to find a way to run it better, control it better, score when we get the ball and not turn it over."
Wide Receiver Jordan Mitchell:
On early camp success...
"(The coaches) kind of anticipated me coming in and starting but they said I'd have to earn it. So I'm in there working everyday as hard as I can. Watching film and seeing what the defense is doing. It's just an everyday thing."
Linebacker Darian Yancey:
On his development over the last year...
"I'm a lot more mature than I was last year. I was young and still had that high school mindset. It's more than just a game now. You're playing for other guys to keep a job, to get back on top and stay on top. At Southern Miss, we are trying to get back on top. I'm just trying to do everything I can to make my team better."
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.
Coming Up: Southern Miss football coach Todd Monken will speak at the ADP First Friday Lunch this week, Aug. 7, which runs from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m., at Southern Oaks House and Gardens. The event is sponsored by Pearl River Valley Electric Power Association and TheFirst. Monken will speak on the progress of fall camp as well as the 2015 season.
