University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Southern Miss Spring Football Report: Day 6
4/1/2017 12:00:00 AM | Football
HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- The first spring scrimmage is in the books for the Southern Miss football team after cool early temperatures paved the way for a balmy day.
The squad practiced for the first hour in team drill settings before shifting into full game mode, focusing on redzone, midfield and two-minute drill situations. Jordan Mitchell got free for a long touchdown catch, and Ito Smith showcased more of his familiar shifty moves. The defense was also able to make some key stops in the two-minute setting.
Head coach Jay Hopson
On how he viewed the practice
"I thought it went well. The offense won the day today and made some good plays. Ito made some and Tez Parks had some good runs, but Keon Howard and Kwadra Griggs did some good things and so did Quez Watkins. Jordan also had some good catches."
On the wide receiver depth
"You're probably looking at 6-8 guys and travel 8-10. We will find out through the spring who becomes the starting three or four, but there were some guys that made some big plays. Jordan Mitchell had a good day today and good spring overall. It's been a pleasant surprise."
On if he's concerned about the defense and thoughts on Jacques Turner
"I think it's just one of those days. I want it to go back and forth and that defense can do more next Saturday. I thought the offense won in midfield and redzone, and that the defense got it in the two-minute drill. Jacques Turner has had a good spring and some tough competition. he's young and we are pleased with what he's done so far. He's a good football player."
Sophomore quarterback Keon Howard
On how where he attributes the offensive success of the day
"We all put in the extra work when there are no cameras or coaches around. The offensive line goes in to watch extra film the day after practice and I'll do the same thing. It really helps us out on the field like it did today."
On how he handles new receivers
"You just gotta do the extra reps and film in and build a relationship with them. Overall it pays off in the end, and you teach them how you want the route to be and the timing too. Quez is good and Trevor Terry is real good. Chase Whitehead is dependable. You can tie a blindfold around your eyes and will know where he is every time."
Offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson
On the offensive execution
"I thought we protected the ball overall. We may have had a pick or dropped a few, but our emphasis was no turning the ball over, and that was an issue last year.For the most part I thought we did that. Not going backwards was key today; let's move the ball and play with a good tempo. I was pleased with both QBs' execution. I thought both had a lapse in the two-minute drill. Incomplete passes are fine, but you can't take sacks. We started out well with that. There was some good and bad, it's hard to sit back and evaluate without watching film. Obviously we have a lot of good skills guys around the quarterbacks, so spreading them out is important."
On if the new QB personnel changes much in the offense
"I don't know if it changes it a whole lot. It's not like the offense really changes play wise. It just looks different based on who's out there. We've done some things we didn't do a lot of last year. When you have a QB with certain skillsets, you want to emphasize the part of the playbook that he can do best. With Nick Mullens, throwing the football and picking people apart was his best. I have a whole new skillset now, so while the offense doesn't change much, the focus will."
