University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Photo by: Joe Harper/bgnphoto.com
Southern Miss Head Coach Will Hall Media Availability – The UL Game
10/1/2024 11:31:00 AM | Football
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Golden Eagle football coach Will Hall spoke with members of the media following practice on Tuesday, Oct. 1, at the Joe P. Park Practice Field. Hall discussed Southern Miss' discussed the opening contest this weekend at home against Louisiana.
The Golden Eagles (1-3) take on the Ragin' Cajuns (3-1) for the for the third-straight year since joining the Sun Belt Conference. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. CT on Saturday, Oct. 5, at Carlisle-Faulkner Field at M.M. Roberts Stadium. Fans can take in the broadcast on ESPN+ with Jason Baker and Austin Davis providing commentary or tune in to Rock 104.5 FM, Southern Miss' Flagship Station, to hear the Voice of the Golden Eagles, John Cox, and Lee Roberts on the Southern Miss Sports Network radio broadcast.
Fans wishing to attend Saturday's game can purchase tickets by calling 1-800-844-TICK (8425), by visiting SouthernMissTickets.com or by stopping by the Ticket Office in the Pat Ferlise Center on the corner of West 4th Street and Golden Eagle Avenue.
Here is what Hall said to the media:
Opening Statement:
"It was an awesome Tuesday, a lot of juice and a lot of energy, and it was good to get back on the grass. There was a lot of physicality and we've improved in a lot of ways over the last week and we better have. It was good to see and we will get back out here tomorrow on Wednesday like normal and do some situational work. We've got a great opponent we're playing this week. They've probably handled their non-conference schedule as well as anybody in our conference. They are playing at a high level, and I've got a lot of respect for them. Coach Desormeaux and I worked together back in '17 at Louisiana and they've done a good job. They are functioning at a high level on offense, their [Ben Wooldridge] is playing at a really high level, he's an old guy that's been playing there three years. They are running and throwing and he's functioning and getting the ball where it's supposed to be going. Defensively, they are doing a really good job too."
On assessing run defense:
"At D-line, we've got to strike and extend, and hold our gap, not just getting up the field like it's pass rush situations all the time, which we've never done that here, and that was a bad job on us as a staff allowing that to happen. We've got to see those things and get that stopped. We've got a lot of older guys that are at the end of their career and they are wanting to do so well that they are probably trying too hard and getting up field. Our linebackers need to make sure we get the right calls and communicate and fit the gaps right. At safety, we've got to have our eyes on our keys where we're not backing up. When our eyes are on our keys and our keys give us a run-look, we should be flat-footing that and heading towards the ball. We were too soft at safety, too up the field on the defensive line, and when you add those together, all of a sudden, you've created more space along all the levels. Give credit to Jacksonville State, they did an unbelievable job of running the ball and they've got a great staff. We've worked really hard to sure that up, and we'll get tested this week for sure."
On Louisiana's defense:
"They are just a good, solid defense. They know where they are supposed to be, and they've got a lot of older guys and they are just playing well. They've played some good football teams. Wake Forest is a good offensive football team year in and year out, Tulane is obviously a really good team, so I think they do a good job of being assignment-sound and not giving up the deep ball. If they do give up a completion, it's usually in front of them and they do a good job of leveraging tackling. They are a really good tackling team."
On Louisiana's offense:
"They are phenomenal, the number one offense in this league…they run and throw and their quarterback is really good. It will take a collective, group effort from our D-Line to our linebackers to our secondary to our coaches. It will take everybody because they are really good."
On Drew Lawson being named to Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Watch List:
"He's a really good football player, a great man that works hard in FCA and he's a team leader. He's a redshirt junior that has worked his way up and playing good football for us. He's a leader and a director, and I wish I had 50 of them like him. He deserves any accolade he can get. He's escalated himself into being a good football player, he does great in school, he's high up in FCA and does a great job in that, and I really think a lot of him."
The Golden Eagles (1-3) take on the Ragin' Cajuns (3-1) for the for the third-straight year since joining the Sun Belt Conference. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. CT on Saturday, Oct. 5, at Carlisle-Faulkner Field at M.M. Roberts Stadium. Fans can take in the broadcast on ESPN+ with Jason Baker and Austin Davis providing commentary or tune in to Rock 104.5 FM, Southern Miss' Flagship Station, to hear the Voice of the Golden Eagles, John Cox, and Lee Roberts on the Southern Miss Sports Network radio broadcast.
Fans wishing to attend Saturday's game can purchase tickets by calling 1-800-844-TICK (8425), by visiting SouthernMissTickets.com or by stopping by the Ticket Office in the Pat Ferlise Center on the corner of West 4th Street and Golden Eagle Avenue.
Here is what Hall said to the media:
Opening Statement:
"It was an awesome Tuesday, a lot of juice and a lot of energy, and it was good to get back on the grass. There was a lot of physicality and we've improved in a lot of ways over the last week and we better have. It was good to see and we will get back out here tomorrow on Wednesday like normal and do some situational work. We've got a great opponent we're playing this week. They've probably handled their non-conference schedule as well as anybody in our conference. They are playing at a high level, and I've got a lot of respect for them. Coach Desormeaux and I worked together back in '17 at Louisiana and they've done a good job. They are functioning at a high level on offense, their [Ben Wooldridge] is playing at a really high level, he's an old guy that's been playing there three years. They are running and throwing and he's functioning and getting the ball where it's supposed to be going. Defensively, they are doing a really good job too."
On assessing run defense:
"At D-line, we've got to strike and extend, and hold our gap, not just getting up the field like it's pass rush situations all the time, which we've never done that here, and that was a bad job on us as a staff allowing that to happen. We've got to see those things and get that stopped. We've got a lot of older guys that are at the end of their career and they are wanting to do so well that they are probably trying too hard and getting up field. Our linebackers need to make sure we get the right calls and communicate and fit the gaps right. At safety, we've got to have our eyes on our keys where we're not backing up. When our eyes are on our keys and our keys give us a run-look, we should be flat-footing that and heading towards the ball. We were too soft at safety, too up the field on the defensive line, and when you add those together, all of a sudden, you've created more space along all the levels. Give credit to Jacksonville State, they did an unbelievable job of running the ball and they've got a great staff. We've worked really hard to sure that up, and we'll get tested this week for sure."
On Louisiana's defense:
"They are just a good, solid defense. They know where they are supposed to be, and they've got a lot of older guys and they are just playing well. They've played some good football teams. Wake Forest is a good offensive football team year in and year out, Tulane is obviously a really good team, so I think they do a good job of being assignment-sound and not giving up the deep ball. If they do give up a completion, it's usually in front of them and they do a good job of leveraging tackling. They are a really good tackling team."
On Louisiana's offense:
"They are phenomenal, the number one offense in this league…they run and throw and their quarterback is really good. It will take a collective, group effort from our D-Line to our linebackers to our secondary to our coaches. It will take everybody because they are really good."
On Drew Lawson being named to Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Watch List:
"He's a really good football player, a great man that works hard in FCA and he's a team leader. He's a redshirt junior that has worked his way up and playing good football for us. He's a leader and a director, and I wish I had 50 of them like him. He deserves any accolade he can get. He's escalated himself into being a good football player, he does great in school, he's high up in FCA and does a great job in that, and I really think a lot of him."
Players Mentioned
OL
/ Football2026 National Signing Day Press Conference with Blake Anderson
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