University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Football Reports Thursday for Start of Camp
8/4/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Checking into the dorms and team meetings highlighted the official reporting day for the Southern Miss football Thursday on the Golden Eagle campus.
The Golden Eagles spent most of the morning settling into their living accommodations before going through a pair of team meetings in the afternoon to prepare for Friday's first practice.
Under first-year coach Jay Hopson, the Golden Eagles look to improve upon a 9-5 record and a Conference USA West Division crown a year ago. It also marked the first bowl berth for the program in four seasons.
For Hopson, the start of camp is a long time coming and looks forward to seeing the continuing strong work habits exhibited by his team this summer.
"You're looking forward to it. It's that time, now," said Hopson. "Everybody's been working hard and we've got good kids."
Southern Miss returns 16 starters from last year's team, including seven on offense, six on defense and three specialist positions.
Last month, a panel of media members picked the Golden Eagles to repeat as C-USA West Division champions this season and senior quarterback Nick Mullens helps highlight the league's preseason award winners by being named the Offensive Player of the Year, while five other Golden Eagles joined him on the preseason team in a vote taken by the league's 13 head coaches.
Along with Mullens on the offensive side of the football was running back Ito Smith and offensive lineman Cameron Tom, while defensive lineman Dylan Bradley, linebacker D'Nerius Antoine and defensive back Picasso Nelson, Jr., earned accolades for the defensive side.
The first practice puts the team in motion towards its season-opening contest at Kentucky, Saturday, Sept. 3, at 6:30 p.m.
The first workout is set to take place in the morning at the Joe P. Park Practice Facility on the Southern Miss campus.
