University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Steven Anderson Making Transition to New Position at Running Back
8/20/2018 6:17:00 PM | Football
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Making the most of an opportunity is all any young player can try to do to establish himself with his team.
For redshirt freshman running back Steven Anderson, who he has worked at his third position since joining the Golden Eagle program last fall, is certainly one of those Golden Eagles trying to do that.
When the 2017 fall camp got started, the Live Oak., Fla., and Suwanee High School product was taking snaps at quarterback. With his big frame set at 6-foot-2, 242, lbs., Anderson was asked to transition into a tight end for the squad and now made another position change to running back going into the 2018 campaign.
In his new found role in last Saturday's scrimmage and because of teammates being a little bit banged up, Anderson registered a team-high 21 carries and responded with a scrimmage-high 82 rushing yards.
He certainly has made the Golden Eagle coaches take notice of him all summer and this performance just two weeks prior to the season opener certainly did not hurt him.
"Steven Anderson ran really well in the (Saturday) scrimmage," said third-year coach Jay Hopson. "He ran low, below his pads and I was pleased to see that. He had his best day of the summer Saturday. We have to continue that with Steven."
Anderson is one of those players that make things happen when he has the football and Hopson has seen that since he joined the Golden Eagles a year ago.
"Steven is a tough, hard-nosed back," said Hopson. "What he does best, even when he was a quarterback and was able to do things with the ball in his hands, and at running back, he has been able to carry that on (with him.) He imposed his will out there Saturday and that is what we need him to do and that is the advantage of a big back. If he keeps doing that, he will keep getting more touches."
In a position that Hopson said probably could be done by committee with several different players getting the ball, Anderson has shown that he could fit in the mix, especially with his ability to push defenders downfield with the ball, often gaining an additional four or five yards when it surely looked like he was already down.
"He is big everywhere and when he gets below his pads, he is a true runner," Hopson said about his ability to move defenders.
Anderson and the Golden Eagles open their season, Saturday, Sept. 1, against Jackson State at Carlisle-Faulkner Field at M.M. Roberts Stadium. Game time is set for 6 p.m.
Single-game and season tickets are still available for the 2018 Southern Miss football season. Tickets may be purchased on online at SouthernMissTickets.com, by phone at 1-800-844-TICK (8425) and in person weekdays at the Pat Ferlise Ticket Office during normal business hours.
For redshirt freshman running back Steven Anderson, who he has worked at his third position since joining the Golden Eagle program last fall, is certainly one of those Golden Eagles trying to do that.
When the 2017 fall camp got started, the Live Oak., Fla., and Suwanee High School product was taking snaps at quarterback. With his big frame set at 6-foot-2, 242, lbs., Anderson was asked to transition into a tight end for the squad and now made another position change to running back going into the 2018 campaign.
In his new found role in last Saturday's scrimmage and because of teammates being a little bit banged up, Anderson registered a team-high 21 carries and responded with a scrimmage-high 82 rushing yards.
He certainly has made the Golden Eagle coaches take notice of him all summer and this performance just two weeks prior to the season opener certainly did not hurt him.
"Steven Anderson ran really well in the (Saturday) scrimmage," said third-year coach Jay Hopson. "He ran low, below his pads and I was pleased to see that. He had his best day of the summer Saturday. We have to continue that with Steven."
Anderson is one of those players that make things happen when he has the football and Hopson has seen that since he joined the Golden Eagles a year ago.
"Steven is a tough, hard-nosed back," said Hopson. "What he does best, even when he was a quarterback and was able to do things with the ball in his hands, and at running back, he has been able to carry that on (with him.) He imposed his will out there Saturday and that is what we need him to do and that is the advantage of a big back. If he keeps doing that, he will keep getting more touches."
In a position that Hopson said probably could be done by committee with several different players getting the ball, Anderson has shown that he could fit in the mix, especially with his ability to push defenders downfield with the ball, often gaining an additional four or five yards when it surely looked like he was already down.
"He is big everywhere and when he gets below his pads, he is a true runner," Hopson said about his ability to move defenders.
Anderson and the Golden Eagles open their season, Saturday, Sept. 1, against Jackson State at Carlisle-Faulkner Field at M.M. Roberts Stadium. Game time is set for 6 p.m.
Single-game and season tickets are still available for the 2018 Southern Miss football season. Tickets may be purchased on online at SouthernMissTickets.com, by phone at 1-800-844-TICK (8425) and in person weekdays at the Pat Ferlise Ticket Office during normal business hours.
Players Mentioned
RB
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