University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Football Throws on Pads for First Time During Friday Practice
3/21/2025 7:31:00 PM | Football
HATTIESBURG, Miss. --Â First-year head football coach Charles Huff took the Golden Eagles through their third spring practice of the year on Friday night at the Joe P. Park Practice Facility.Â
Southern Miss donned pads for the first time as both Monday and Wednesday the team wore shells. Huff noted that he saw a lot of good, physical plays from a group that had high expectations with key additions in the off season.Â
"It was the first day we put on pads and there were some good things," Huff said. "There were physical plays, and we did a really good job attacking the ball from a defensive perspective. We were able to put in situational plays and were able to convert some on both sides of the ball."Â
The Golden Eagles, now three days in, have started to string together positive sequences on the field. Huff credited the veteran presence for that as he noted the group went through winter meetings learning how to stay healthy and practice at a high level. It has also helped keep the team healthy early on.Â
"We did a lot of teaching of how to practice," Huff said. "Typically, when you get guys injured at practice, guys are on the ground and there is a pile where someone gets rolled up. We did a lot of teaching guys how to move efficiently during the winter. We've been able to stay off the ground and we spent a lot of time teaching football - I know that sounds elementary - but you don't play football on the ground."
Those techniques will be important as the Golden Eagles turn right around for another day of practice on Saturday. Southern Miss will continue to practice after that until it hosts its annual spring game on April 12.
Southern Miss opens the regular season at home against Mississippi State on Saturday, Aug. 30. New season tickets are available for the 2025 Golden Eagle home schedule. To purchase tickets, please go to SouthernMissTickets.com.
Follow @SouthernMissFB on X, Instagram, and Facebook to get the latest updates.Â
Southern Miss donned pads for the first time as both Monday and Wednesday the team wore shells. Huff noted that he saw a lot of good, physical plays from a group that had high expectations with key additions in the off season.Â
"It was the first day we put on pads and there were some good things," Huff said. "There were physical plays, and we did a really good job attacking the ball from a defensive perspective. We were able to put in situational plays and were able to convert some on both sides of the ball."Â
The Golden Eagles, now three days in, have started to string together positive sequences on the field. Huff credited the veteran presence for that as he noted the group went through winter meetings learning how to stay healthy and practice at a high level. It has also helped keep the team healthy early on.Â
"We did a lot of teaching of how to practice," Huff said. "Typically, when you get guys injured at practice, guys are on the ground and there is a pile where someone gets rolled up. We did a lot of teaching guys how to move efficiently during the winter. We've been able to stay off the ground and we spent a lot of time teaching football - I know that sounds elementary - but you don't play football on the ground."
Those techniques will be important as the Golden Eagles turn right around for another day of practice on Saturday. Southern Miss will continue to practice after that until it hosts its annual spring game on April 12.
Southern Miss opens the regular season at home against Mississippi State on Saturday, Aug. 30. New season tickets are available for the 2025 Golden Eagle home schedule. To purchase tickets, please go to SouthernMissTickets.com.
Follow @SouthernMissFB on X, Instagram, and Facebook to get the latest updates.Â
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