University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Football Continues Preseason Prep for Season Opener
8/16/2023 3:47:00 PM | Football
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – A break in the oppressive summer heat came as a relief to Southern Miss football Wednesday morning when the team went through their 12th practice of fall camp at the Joe P. Park Practice Facility.
The Golden Eagles utilized a two-hour practice session that saw the team work on situational kickoffs as part of the workout, including sky kicks and squibs, as well as several team periods. The temperature stayed in the mid-80s for the entire practice.
"(It was a) great day as the phenomenal weather broke through a little bit for us today making it cooler," said third-year Southern Miss coach Will Hall. "We got some great situational work in."
One group that Hall praised after practice was the deep and talented collection of defensive linemen, who should be very familiar with Golden Eagle fans this fall.
"Our fans ought to really know them, because they're all back from last year," said Hall. "The only one we lost was [Armondous] Cooley (Shubuta, Miss.) to an injury, but everyone [else] that played for us is back. Then we added Eric Thomas (Pensacola, Fla.), Iliyas Fuavai (Pensacola, Fla.), who redshirted, along with another Golden Eagle who's coming off a redshirt year and, in the mix, as well, Demeco Roland (Broken Arrow, Okla.), who is a big, driving force right there at nose guard. Then, we added Cam Mackey (Clarksdale, Miss.), a true freshman. So, we've just got more depth than we've ever had there, and we've got a lot of proven pieces coming back.
"Jalen Williams (Tylertown, Miss.) was also mentioned, who has got a chance to be an all-conference player. Josh Ratcliff (Belle Rose, La.) has had as good a fall camp as anybody on our football team. Quentin Bivens (Waynesboro, Miss.) is back. Brodarius Lewis (Prattville, Ala.) has really come on. Lewis came to us at about 265 [pounds] and he's up to about 300 right now."
In other news, Hall also announced that senior Averie Habas (Rice Lake, Wis.) would be lost for the year due to a non-football, medical condition and that the school's medical staff were still working to figure out the possibility of Habas redshirting and returning next season if that is something that he chooses to do.
Hall went on to say that Habas' legacy, whether he suits up again as a Golden Eagle or not has been cemented with the program.
"Averie Habas, whether he plays another down again or not, is one of the greatest Golden Eagles," said Hall. "With the way he's lived his life and the way he's loved this place and the way he's played the game. Like I said, it's not over—that he may never play again—but they've got to figure that out and we love him and he's definitely a part of this program."
The season opens at home Saturday, Sept. 2, against Alcorn State and tickets are still available for that game as well as the final five home games this fall. Fans can contact purchase home season or single game tickets at SouthernMissTickets.com, by calling 1-800-844-TICK (8425) or visit the Pat Ferlise Ticket Office on campus weekdays during normal business hours.
The Golden Eagles utilized a two-hour practice session that saw the team work on situational kickoffs as part of the workout, including sky kicks and squibs, as well as several team periods. The temperature stayed in the mid-80s for the entire practice.
"(It was a) great day as the phenomenal weather broke through a little bit for us today making it cooler," said third-year Southern Miss coach Will Hall. "We got some great situational work in."
One group that Hall praised after practice was the deep and talented collection of defensive linemen, who should be very familiar with Golden Eagle fans this fall.
"Our fans ought to really know them, because they're all back from last year," said Hall. "The only one we lost was [Armondous] Cooley (Shubuta, Miss.) to an injury, but everyone [else] that played for us is back. Then we added Eric Thomas (Pensacola, Fla.), Iliyas Fuavai (Pensacola, Fla.), who redshirted, along with another Golden Eagle who's coming off a redshirt year and, in the mix, as well, Demeco Roland (Broken Arrow, Okla.), who is a big, driving force right there at nose guard. Then, we added Cam Mackey (Clarksdale, Miss.), a true freshman. So, we've just got more depth than we've ever had there, and we've got a lot of proven pieces coming back.
"Jalen Williams (Tylertown, Miss.) was also mentioned, who has got a chance to be an all-conference player. Josh Ratcliff (Belle Rose, La.) has had as good a fall camp as anybody on our football team. Quentin Bivens (Waynesboro, Miss.) is back. Brodarius Lewis (Prattville, Ala.) has really come on. Lewis came to us at about 265 [pounds] and he's up to about 300 right now."
In other news, Hall also announced that senior Averie Habas (Rice Lake, Wis.) would be lost for the year due to a non-football, medical condition and that the school's medical staff were still working to figure out the possibility of Habas redshirting and returning next season if that is something that he chooses to do.
Hall went on to say that Habas' legacy, whether he suits up again as a Golden Eagle or not has been cemented with the program.
"Averie Habas, whether he plays another down again or not, is one of the greatest Golden Eagles," said Hall. "With the way he's lived his life and the way he's loved this place and the way he's played the game. Like I said, it's not over—that he may never play again—but they've got to figure that out and we love him and he's definitely a part of this program."
The season opens at home Saturday, Sept. 2, against Alcorn State and tickets are still available for that game as well as the final five home games this fall. Fans can contact purchase home season or single game tickets at SouthernMissTickets.com, by calling 1-800-844-TICK (8425) or visit the Pat Ferlise Ticket Office on campus weekdays during normal business hours.
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