University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Football Transitions into Shoulder Pads and Shorts for Friday Practice
8/7/2020 1:12:00 PM | Football
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – After going through its first two practices in helmets and shorts, the Southern Miss football team transitioned itself to shoulder pads and shorts for practice No. 3 of summer camp Friday morning.
The Golden Eagles, which missed spring drills due to the COVID-19 outbreak back in March, gave returning defensive coordinator Tony Pecoraro his first chance this week to see his players back on the field. Pecoraro was the school's defensive coordinator from 2016-17 as he arrived with Coach Jay Hopson from Alcorn State. He left for two seasons before returning early spring, despite not getting a chance to see his team get reps in the spring. Still, Pecoraro said he was certainly excited to be back in Hattiesburg.
"I am loving being back with Coach Hop," said Pecoraro via a Zoom interview call following Friday's practice. "And the awesome thing is that there are a lot of players here, at least on defense, which I was here with the last time. It's been a blessing to be back."
Through three practices, Pecoraro praised the talent of the defense for the Golden Eagles in 2020 and stressed the versatility from his linebackers in a year with more things to battle other than injury.
"The one thing those guys are going to have to do - I don't just put them in one position but have to teach them all (spots), because the way football is this year - you can't just have one position. You are going to have to play any of those three spots at any time, because if one man goes down then it is the next man up."
For one Golden Eagle offensive player, returning to the field has been good after missing spring practice.
"It has been a long time since we have had pads popping so it has been refreshing having guys flying around and playing football,' said junior center Trace Clopton. "It's been a good time."
The Golden Eagles will practice against Saturday, before taking its first day off on Sunday as they continue to get ready for its Thursday, Sept. 3, season opener at home against South Alabama. Game time is set for 7 p.m.
Season tickets are available by going online at SouthernMissTickets.com or by calling 1-800-844-TICK (8425) or 601-266-5418.
The Golden Eagles, which missed spring drills due to the COVID-19 outbreak back in March, gave returning defensive coordinator Tony Pecoraro his first chance this week to see his players back on the field. Pecoraro was the school's defensive coordinator from 2016-17 as he arrived with Coach Jay Hopson from Alcorn State. He left for two seasons before returning early spring, despite not getting a chance to see his team get reps in the spring. Still, Pecoraro said he was certainly excited to be back in Hattiesburg.
"I am loving being back with Coach Hop," said Pecoraro via a Zoom interview call following Friday's practice. "And the awesome thing is that there are a lot of players here, at least on defense, which I was here with the last time. It's been a blessing to be back."
Through three practices, Pecoraro praised the talent of the defense for the Golden Eagles in 2020 and stressed the versatility from his linebackers in a year with more things to battle other than injury.
"The one thing those guys are going to have to do - I don't just put them in one position but have to teach them all (spots), because the way football is this year - you can't just have one position. You are going to have to play any of those three spots at any time, because if one man goes down then it is the next man up."
For one Golden Eagle offensive player, returning to the field has been good after missing spring practice.
"It has been a long time since we have had pads popping so it has been refreshing having guys flying around and playing football,' said junior center Trace Clopton. "It's been a good time."
The Golden Eagles will practice against Saturday, before taking its first day off on Sunday as they continue to get ready for its Thursday, Sept. 3, season opener at home against South Alabama. Game time is set for 7 p.m.
Season tickets are available by going online at SouthernMissTickets.com or by calling 1-800-844-TICK (8425) or 601-266-5418.
Players Mentioned
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