University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Southern Miss holds first spring football practice
3/20/2018 12:00:00 AM | Football
HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- It was the first day of spring for everyone, but within the Southern Miss campus, that meant a little more. The Golden Eagles began their journey into the 2018 season with a late-afternoon practice on Tuesday night.
Southern Miss, entering its third year under head coach Jay Hopson, spent the majority of a cool and windy practice taking on individual drills. The Golden Eagles had several early enrollees on the field, mostly thanks to the recent NCAA rule change allowing for December high school signing day.
The season begins Sept. 1 against Jackson State, followed by another home date on Sept. 8 with ULM. Season tickets can be purchased by calling 1-800-844-TICK, visiting SouthernMissTickets.com or stopping by the Pat Ferlise Center during normal business hours.
Quotes from Hopson
On the overall practice
"I thought the effort and intensity was good on this first day of spring. As far as technique and things like that, we certainly have to get better. I saw some good things and we have to get better on Thursday with that same intensity. Spring is all about fundamentals. To me, that's what spring is. You want to see your team get better and grow each day. I thought it was a good start today. We will correct some things in film."
On the outlook of the spring
"I saw some young guys do some good things I was pleased with. It's Day 1 of a 15-day spring season. We have to keep making steps, and spring is all about getting better."
On new and familiar personnel
"We have a lot of speed, which I like. We have Quez Watkins and Jaylond Adams and Trevor Terry, and the list goes on with Jordan Mitchell. We are really a fast receiving group and with the running backs, Tez Parks and T'Rod Daniels with George Payne and Darius Maberry coming back. I really like the talent on this football team. We just have to keep putting in the work to get better."
