University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Golden Eagles Show Flashes of the Future During Spring Game
4/1/2023 4:17:00 PM | Football
HATTIESBURG, Miss. --Â For third-year head coach Will Hall, Saturday's annual Spring Game provided him an opportunity to see what the future of the Southern Miss football program is going to look like.Â
The Golden Eagles ran through 80-100 plays after a short stretching session in front of fans. Hall then took his squad through red zone and two-minute drill situations before calling it quits on a hot and humid day at M.M. Roberts Stadium.Â
"I really want to thank the good Lord for how far we've come," Hall said. "I thought it was a really good day and the main thing I liked -- besides that we stayed healthy for the most part -- was it was almost the exact opposite from the last scrimmage. The offense started hot last scrimmage and the defense reacted to finish strong. Today, the defense started hot, and the offense finished strong."
Hall was able to get a good look at newcomer Ques McNeal during today's live scrimmage. McNeal most notably picked off a pass from Zach Wilcke that would have gone for a pick-six had the play not been stopped.Â
"Ah man, Ackerman, Mississippi; that's a small Mississippi football town," Hall said of McNeal's hometown. "He's a tough kid that went to Co-Lin and he's really fit into our culture. He's a ball hawk and he's had a great spring."
Southern Miss fans also got a taste of what Dreke Clark is going to bring to the table. The Memphis transfer took a majority of the snaps from the backfield and rushed for a couple of touchdowns.
"Dreke has had a phenomenal spring," Hall said. "When you add him and Kenyon {Clay] into the mix with Frank [Gore], we've got a really bonafide Division I running back room. We're excited about Dreke. I signed him at Memphis and he goes there, then we got him back down here."
This was the 13th of 15 scheduled practices for the Golden Eagles this spring. They open the 2023 season, Saturday, Sept. 2, at home against Alcorn State.Â
Tickets information for the 2023 home schedule is available by visiting SouthernMissTickets.com, by calling 1-800-844-TICK (8425) or by visiting the Pat Ferlise Ticket Office, weekdays, during normal business hours.
The Golden Eagles ran through 80-100 plays after a short stretching session in front of fans. Hall then took his squad through red zone and two-minute drill situations before calling it quits on a hot and humid day at M.M. Roberts Stadium.Â
"I really want to thank the good Lord for how far we've come," Hall said. "I thought it was a really good day and the main thing I liked -- besides that we stayed healthy for the most part -- was it was almost the exact opposite from the last scrimmage. The offense started hot last scrimmage and the defense reacted to finish strong. Today, the defense started hot, and the offense finished strong."
Hall was able to get a good look at newcomer Ques McNeal during today's live scrimmage. McNeal most notably picked off a pass from Zach Wilcke that would have gone for a pick-six had the play not been stopped.Â
"Ah man, Ackerman, Mississippi; that's a small Mississippi football town," Hall said of McNeal's hometown. "He's a tough kid that went to Co-Lin and he's really fit into our culture. He's a ball hawk and he's had a great spring."
Southern Miss fans also got a taste of what Dreke Clark is going to bring to the table. The Memphis transfer took a majority of the snaps from the backfield and rushed for a couple of touchdowns.
"Dreke has had a phenomenal spring," Hall said. "When you add him and Kenyon {Clay] into the mix with Frank [Gore], we've got a really bonafide Division I running back room. We're excited about Dreke. I signed him at Memphis and he goes there, then we got him back down here."
This was the 13th of 15 scheduled practices for the Golden Eagles this spring. They open the 2023 season, Saturday, Sept. 2, at home against Alcorn State.Â
Tickets information for the 2023 home schedule is available by visiting SouthernMissTickets.com, by calling 1-800-844-TICK (8425) or by visiting the Pat Ferlise Ticket Office, weekdays, during normal business hours.
Players Mentioned
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Wednesday, February 04
Southern Miss 2026 National Signing Day
Wednesday, February 04
Christian Ostrander Preseason Press Conference
Monday, January 19
Blake Anderson Introductory Press Conference
Monday, December 15






