University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Photo by: Joe Harper/bgnphoto.com
Southern Miss Interim Head Coach Reed Stringer Media Availability – The South Alabama Game
11/19/2024 11:42:00 AM | Football
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Southern Miss interim football coach Reed Stringer spoke with members of the media following practice on Tuesday, Nov. 19, and discussed the program's final home game of the season against South Alabama.
The Golden Eagles (1-9, 0-6) take on the Jaguars (5-5, 4-2) for the for the fifth-straight year. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. CT on Saturday, Nov 23, 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 Stringer said to the media:
Opening Statement:
"It was a very disappointing game last Saturday. It was a game where we got absolutely dominated on both sides of the ball. Schematically, offensively, they carved us up pretty good. We didn't really have an answer for the passing game. We did some good things in the running game early, but they hit a couple big runs late on us and we had no answer for their passing game. Offensively, they smothered us, and we didn't particularly play well up front. We couldn't get the run game going and no one open in the passing game. It was just a dominating performance that we're disappointed in. Our kids did not quit and that's what I was looking for when I was watching the film. I didn't know how that was going to work out because the way the game went, it felt like our guys may have laid down, but they did not do that. We had one young player that did not chase the ball on a touchdown that everybody saw and we saw. That was sternly addressed, and I don't think he will ever do that again. He is a young kid, and he has to understand how important that is to us, but our kids did not quit. We just got beat and we must play better, and definitely have to coach better. We just must put our guys in better situations to give us a chance to win a game."
On Bryce Lofton being nominated for Conerly Trophy:
"I am really proud of Bryce. Bryce is a guy, who in his first year here, did not get on the field at all, and last year, he was our starter and didn't really punt very well. We actually brought in a junior college transfer to beat him out this spring and in the summertime. Bryce has continued to work, has his body in better shape, and he's really playing well. Right now, he's our best player. That's why he's up for the Conerly Trophy. He's top 25 in yards per punt and top 10 in total punt yards. He has put us in good situations to flip the field that has helped us this year. I am proud of him, and he has earned it."
On Senior Day:
"We are going to celebrate those guys. We have a couple guys, Andrew Stein and Kristin Booth, that have been here since 2020. Those are the only two players that have been on the team since then. Then, we've got two more guys that we brought in 2021 that are going into their fourth year, but we have a lot of seniors that have been with us one or two years. They come in and they have bought into Southern Miss and they have played hard for Southern Miss. It's unfortunate we haven't had a chance to win more games these last two years, but I do appreciate them and we're going to honor them this weekend."
On South Alabama:
"South Alabama is a much-improved team throughout the year. They have a young quarterback, Gio Lopez, who is a really good player that can make things happen with his legs and he's really good in the RPO game. They like to run the ball and they're going to run the ball first. I think Major Applewhite does an outstanding job of being a head coach and coordinating that offense and they put themselves in really good run situations. They are a very well-coached offensive football team, and defensively, they cause a lot of chaos, and they are good up front. Their front seven are a group of really good players and they are going to play a lot of middle of the field closed coverage. That's who they are and what they do and it's what they believe in, and they stick to it. It's going to be a great challenge. I am excited that the game is at home and that it's an afternoon game. One thing I talked about to the team this week more than anything is that we are playing for pride. We got dominated last week and we are better than that. We are all better than that-coaches, players, trainers, and everyone else in this program. We are better than that, and I expect them to come out and play with some pride. It's the last home game for a lot of these guys. We had a great first practice today. They showed up and worked and we're going to continue to work. I don't think our guys quit and they are going to keep playing hard. I told them that as long as they keep playing hard and smarter, then good things are going to happen for us."
The Golden Eagles (1-9, 0-6) take on the Jaguars (5-5, 4-2) for the for the fifth-straight year. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. CT on Saturday, Nov 23, 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 Stringer said to the media:
Opening Statement:
"It was a very disappointing game last Saturday. It was a game where we got absolutely dominated on both sides of the ball. Schematically, offensively, they carved us up pretty good. We didn't really have an answer for the passing game. We did some good things in the running game early, but they hit a couple big runs late on us and we had no answer for their passing game. Offensively, they smothered us, and we didn't particularly play well up front. We couldn't get the run game going and no one open in the passing game. It was just a dominating performance that we're disappointed in. Our kids did not quit and that's what I was looking for when I was watching the film. I didn't know how that was going to work out because the way the game went, it felt like our guys may have laid down, but they did not do that. We had one young player that did not chase the ball on a touchdown that everybody saw and we saw. That was sternly addressed, and I don't think he will ever do that again. He is a young kid, and he has to understand how important that is to us, but our kids did not quit. We just got beat and we must play better, and definitely have to coach better. We just must put our guys in better situations to give us a chance to win a game."
On Bryce Lofton being nominated for Conerly Trophy:
"I am really proud of Bryce. Bryce is a guy, who in his first year here, did not get on the field at all, and last year, he was our starter and didn't really punt very well. We actually brought in a junior college transfer to beat him out this spring and in the summertime. Bryce has continued to work, has his body in better shape, and he's really playing well. Right now, he's our best player. That's why he's up for the Conerly Trophy. He's top 25 in yards per punt and top 10 in total punt yards. He has put us in good situations to flip the field that has helped us this year. I am proud of him, and he has earned it."
On Senior Day:
"We are going to celebrate those guys. We have a couple guys, Andrew Stein and Kristin Booth, that have been here since 2020. Those are the only two players that have been on the team since then. Then, we've got two more guys that we brought in 2021 that are going into their fourth year, but we have a lot of seniors that have been with us one or two years. They come in and they have bought into Southern Miss and they have played hard for Southern Miss. It's unfortunate we haven't had a chance to win more games these last two years, but I do appreciate them and we're going to honor them this weekend."
On South Alabama:
"South Alabama is a much-improved team throughout the year. They have a young quarterback, Gio Lopez, who is a really good player that can make things happen with his legs and he's really good in the RPO game. They like to run the ball and they're going to run the ball first. I think Major Applewhite does an outstanding job of being a head coach and coordinating that offense and they put themselves in really good run situations. They are a very well-coached offensive football team, and defensively, they cause a lot of chaos, and they are good up front. Their front seven are a group of really good players and they are going to play a lot of middle of the field closed coverage. That's who they are and what they do and it's what they believe in, and they stick to it. It's going to be a great challenge. I am excited that the game is at home and that it's an afternoon game. One thing I talked about to the team this week more than anything is that we are playing for pride. We got dominated last week and we are better than that. We are all better than that-coaches, players, trainers, and everyone else in this program. We are better than that, and I expect them to come out and play with some pride. It's the last home game for a lot of these guys. We had a great first practice today. They showed up and worked and we're going to continue to work. I don't think our guys quit and they are going to keep playing hard. I told them that as long as they keep playing hard and smarter, then good things are going to happen for us."
Players Mentioned
2025 Bowl Practice Press Conference
Wednesday, December 10
Charles Huff 2026 Early Signing Day Press Conference
Wednesday, December 03
South Alabama Tuesday Press
Wednesday, November 19
Southern Miss - Texas State Postgame Presser
Sunday, November 16