University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Football Preparations for Season Opener Has an Old Golden Eagle Feel to It
8/28/2018 7:48:00 PM | Football
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Fans familiar with Southern Miss football should see similarities in how the 2018 Golden Eagles have prepared for their season opener along with some older teams that the school has fielded in its 102-year playing history.
In Monday's media conference, third-year coach Jay Hopson talked about his two mentors, former Golden Eagle great Jeff Bower and long-time Marshall coach Bob Pruett. A lot of the things the Golden Eagles do in their preparations each and every day have been influenced by those two gentlemen.
"You're going to take what you learn from your mentors and Coach Bower taught me a lot," said Hopson. "He taught me a lot of football and he taught me a lot of things, so there is no question that I try to take what I learned.
"I always had two mentors: Coach Bower was one and Bob Pruett was the other. I spent a large period of my coaching career with those guys. I owe those guys a lot, but they gave me my start. Like I said, Jay Hopson is not bringing anything (new to) Southern Miss, it's just our time to hold the flag. It's a tradition that goes back way beyond than when I was born and I love Southern Miss. We're just trying to uphold the Black and Gold standard. Our kids understand the tradition and history of Southern Miss because that is something we are trying to uphold each and every day."
The Golden Eagles continued their preparations in full pads Tuesday on the game field as they open their season versus Jackson State this Saturday at 6 p.m., at The Rock.
"We're about to take the boat out of the harbor, so a lot of nerves as always when you start the season," said Hopson. "I like this football team and I can tell you that. I like this team's work ethic, I like the way they attack practice, how they come to work and they're a Southern Miss football team. That's the key to success on game day, but again, this football team has the right mindset and personality to be very successful. Now we've got to just go execute on Saturdays."
Tickets are still available for the contest by going online at SouthernMissTickets.com, by calling 1-800-844-TICK (8425) or by visiting the Pat Ferlise Ticket Office, weekdays, from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.
In Monday's media conference, third-year coach Jay Hopson talked about his two mentors, former Golden Eagle great Jeff Bower and long-time Marshall coach Bob Pruett. A lot of the things the Golden Eagles do in their preparations each and every day have been influenced by those two gentlemen.
"You're going to take what you learn from your mentors and Coach Bower taught me a lot," said Hopson. "He taught me a lot of football and he taught me a lot of things, so there is no question that I try to take what I learned.
"I always had two mentors: Coach Bower was one and Bob Pruett was the other. I spent a large period of my coaching career with those guys. I owe those guys a lot, but they gave me my start. Like I said, Jay Hopson is not bringing anything (new to) Southern Miss, it's just our time to hold the flag. It's a tradition that goes back way beyond than when I was born and I love Southern Miss. We're just trying to uphold the Black and Gold standard. Our kids understand the tradition and history of Southern Miss because that is something we are trying to uphold each and every day."
The Golden Eagles continued their preparations in full pads Tuesday on the game field as they open their season versus Jackson State this Saturday at 6 p.m., at The Rock.
"We're about to take the boat out of the harbor, so a lot of nerves as always when you start the season," said Hopson. "I like this football team and I can tell you that. I like this team's work ethic, I like the way they attack practice, how they come to work and they're a Southern Miss football team. That's the key to success on game day, but again, this football team has the right mindset and personality to be very successful. Now we've got to just go execute on Saturdays."
Tickets are still available for the contest by going online at SouthernMissTickets.com, by calling 1-800-844-TICK (8425) or by visiting the Pat Ferlise Ticket Office, weekdays, from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.
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