Southern Miss Coach Jay Hopson Media Conference Transcript (Nov. 19, 2018)

HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- Southern Miss football coach Jay Hopson held his final weekly news conference of the 2018 season at the Duff Athletic Center, Monday, as the Golden Eagles get ready to face UTEP in El Paso for the final regular season finale. of the campaign.

The Golden Eagles and Miners play at 2 p.m. CT/1 p.m. MT and the game can be viewed on ESPN+, as well as be heard on one of the affiliates of the Southern Miss IMG Sports Network. With a victory over the Miners, the Golden Eagles can reach bowl eligibility for the fourth-straight season and the 22nd time over the last 25 seasons.

Here are some of things Hopson said during his news conference:

Opening Statement
"It was a good win on Saturday. I was really proud for our seniors. It was a good team win. Again, it was a good way to send those guys out in their last game at The Rock. On to this week with another big football game against another really good Conference USA team."

On UTEP
"They're a good football team. It's another tough Conference USA opponent and it's a team we have to prepare hard for. They're a team that's athletic, they play hard and they have our utmost respect. They've played a lot of teams tough. We know we've got a tough game and we have to be prepared."

On Thanksgiving Plans
"We're going to be here and we're going to have a team Thanksgiving dinner. We'll celebrate that as a football team and that's always a fun deal."

On Jack Abraham and Tate Whatley Against La Tech
"They complimented each other really well. Jack had some good throws, but still has to secure the ball. He and Tate did a good job. Tate had a nice big throw to Quez there in the fourth quarter and did a good job. They're a good one-two punch."

On Fourth Quarter Performance
"We just executed well in that fourth quarter. That's really what it amounts to. I felt like we did some really good things. The drive that was really good was the last drive of the game. We had about four-and-a-half to go, and give kudos to the offense there, we were able end the clock out on that drive."

On December Signing Day
"We feel really good. We've got a lot of commitments and we have a great nucleus. We're excited and we're getting guys that fit our needs. Again, I can't talk about anybody. It's always tough when you start talking recruiting, but we're very happy where we are... We're going to bring in positions that close those gaps, those numbers. What I think it's all about is making sure you've got good roster management and you've got the right number of players in each position.

On Potentially Becoming Bowl Eligible
"We've got to go out and have a good week of preparation. We know we're playing a good football team. We've got to prepare hard and play hard. We're never going to put the cart in front of the horse. We've got to go to work. We've got to have a good day today and it starts with Monday. UTEP has our utmost respect, so we know we've got to get ready to play. I think our guys are working hard. I think we're playing our best football right now, I really do. We need that to continue. You're talking to a football coach -- we need that to continue this week. That's our journey and we've got to make sure we're preparing hard to play. We were very thankful [for the win]. Always thank the guy up top first, the good lord for the blessings he gives us and we're thankful for that win. We celebrated in the locker room after the win, but one thing we try to do is come back down to earth real quick. We know we've got another week and we've got to come out this week and prepare hard."

On Neil McLaurin's Touchdown
"That was the play of the game. That was a Southern Miss football play right there. He came across the middle and usually on those plays you see the receiver just get knocked out and very seldom do you see the defensive back with a running start. He just bounced off him like a stone wall and Neil kept trucking. I told him at the end of the game that was the play of the game in my heart. Not only was it a touchdown, but it was an impact play. Neil is a tough guy and he's a physical receiver. I was happy for him and he's doing a lot of good things right now."

Southern Miss Coach Jay Hopson Media Conference Transcript (Nov. 19, 2018)

Players Mentioned

Jack Abraham

Neil McLaurin

Tate Whatley

Related Videos