University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Football Practice Report: Sept. 6
9/6/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
Venue: Joe P. Park Practice Facility
Format: Full Pads
Upcoming: Wednesday, 3:15 p.m.
Report: Southern Miss continued to work on its game plan for its next opponent, Savannah State, with a 2 ½ hour practice Tuesday afternoon at the Joe P. Park Practice Facility. The Golden Eagles are putting behind their 44-35 comeback victory at Kentucky and first-year coach Jay Hopson is focused on the task ahead this weekend as the squad opens its home season at Carlisle-Faulkner Field at M.M. Roberts Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m., Saturday.
Southern Miss Coach Jay Hopson
On practicing through the elements today...
"It was a hot, humid day today. We definitely battled. As a coach I thought we battled through the day and we're looking for a better day tomorrow. We finished strong."
On the mindset going into practice after a big win like that...
"That has to be forgotten. Everything about that game needs to be forgotten. I thought we had a good Monday night (practice) and it was OK today. We need to have a good practice tomorrow."
On his Impression of the offensive progression on Saturday...
"I thought they played excellent the whole second half. They just did a tremendous job. We ran the ball well, had some big third down throws and Nick had a couple of big passes; one for Isaiah (Jones) and one for Julian (Allen). It was an overall really good performance."
On the rushing game and its new position coach...
"Lytrel (Pollard) is an excellent football coach. I knew he would do a good job there and that's something that when you're piecing the puzzle together I just felt that would be a great fit. I knew he would bring a lot to the running backs. Those guys played tremendous. He did a tremendous job. Hats off to the running backs. They played hard, ran the ball hard."
On how much it helps being a former defensive player (Lytrel Pollard) now as a coach...
"It helps. You gain that tough edge. That's something those guys really played with - a hard edge on Saturday. They just have to continue to go. It's still a long season ahead of us. It's a great start. We have to ready for this week now. We're moving on. Savannah State is the biggest game of the season. We have to be ready."
Senior QB Nick Mullens
On what he is looking forward to the most about senior year...
"One thing I'm looking forward to the most is just being around the Black and Gold. We had a ton of Black and Gold there in Kentucky. I heard them out in the fourth quarter when the stadium was silent. There was a lot of blue, but being around the Black and Gold and feeling that home atmosphere at The Rock and really excited to play well, play smart and play fast. I want to make the fans really proud of what this team is going to be and what they are doing this year."
On new position guys and their performances...
"The coaches said it best, they all deserve to play. It almost creates a competition within practice. We go against the scouts everyday, but who is going to give the most effort. They're all willing and deserving and that's what makes you pumped up. All those guys are good enough to play. You don't have to have five; you can have as many as you need. I think that system worked last year and you can see it also worked out on Saturday. It's going to work out."
On how good it was seeing George Payne play...
"His freshman and sophomore year he ran hard. The bruiser tore his ACL but his commitment to have that injury and get back from it is awesome for him. Can't be any more proud. It's just a lot of guys. Kelsey Douglas found a way on the field after a torn ACL. A lot of guys have earned their spots back: T-Man (Holmes) and Marquise (Ricard). Seeing guys work hard and get back to where they should be and where they deserve to be is awesome and couldn't be more proud as a teammate."
Tickets: Season tickets for the 2016 Southern Miss home season as well as the home opener this Saturday against the Tigers 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. The Pat Ferlise Ticket Office will also be open this Saturday from 10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., and will then reopen at the Roberts Stadium Box Office at 3 p.m., until halftime of the game.
