University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Football Practice Report: April 9
4/9/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
Venue: Carlisle-Faulkner Field at M.M. Roberts Stadium
Format: Full Pads
Upcoming: Practice (3 p.m., Tuesday, April 12)
Report: The Southern Miss football team completed day 10 of spring football drills by holding its third control scrimmage of the spring, at Carlisle-Faulkner Field at Roberts Stadium.
The team worked from a scripted scrimmage in different situations. Senior Nick Mullins and junior Kwadra Griggs combined for five touchdowns on the day. Mullins threw for four touchdowns that included an 89-yard pass to junior wide receiver Isaiah Jones and later connected with junior running back Ito Smith on a screen pass. Griggs hit Korey Robertson for a 34-yard score.
The defense turned in a stellar performance throughout the scrimmage including dominating during the goal line stand. The defense was able to come up with several sacks, pass breakups and one interception.
Head Coach Jay Hopson
Thoughts on today's scrimmage...
"Today was a good scrimmage. I would say the offense won the first scrimmage last week but the defense came out and had the better day. There were good plays on both sides. Overall it was a very physical and tough scrimmage so I was pleased with that."
When asked about how the line-backing core is coming together...
"They are coming along great. I had Rod Davis who is one of our legends here at Southern Miss come up and talk to me before the scrimmage. I think guys like CJ, (Perry) Elijah, (Parker) and (Sherrod) Ruff have all had really good springs so far. Then you look at our hybrid outside guys like (Darian) Yancey have done well so far. Plus Jeremy Sangster has had a really good spring. There are some young guys who have had a really good spring as well. So we have some really good players at that position."
When asked about some of the offense's big plays...
"Isaiah Jones had a really big play to start the scrimmage and I felt like he had a really good day today. He had some good catches so that's always great to see. I felt like we had some really big catches throughout the scrimmage Korey (Robertson) had a long touchdown there at the end so there were definitely big plays by the offense."
CJ Perry
Senior Linebacker
Do you feel like the defense is coming along well as a whole?
"I think we still have some room to get better. It is only the third week of spring so we are still getting going but I really think everyone is getting more comfortable. You can tell the difference even between week one and right now. Once a defense starts talking before, during and after the play you know they are settling down and getting more comfortable. We are starting to do that right now and it will only get better from here"
Tickets: Season tickets for the 2016 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.
