University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Golden Eagles Don Pads for First Time in Spring Practice
3/27/2026 7:03:00 PM | Football
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Southern Miss football took to the field for its third practice of 2026 Spring Practice for a two-hour, five-minute practice at the Joe P. Park Practice Facility. The Golden Eagles were able to wear shoulder pads for the first time this spring under first-year head coach Blake Anderson.
The Golden Eagles opened practice with stretches and position-specific development before breaking into team periods. Anderson noted that while today was a chance to see the team in full pads, the focus of the practice is still on defining the culture of his program.
"The main thing for us, and I think something that our guys have to embrace is that we've got to play harder than the opponent. We won't know talent level until we start playing other people. We brought a bunch of guys in that had played snaps, but at this level there's not a lot to go on. We may be in a talent deficit, but we can out work people, we can play harder, play harder longer and be in better shape. We need to prepare to win and not let talent be the issue.
On building that culture, Anderson the ways the coaching staff is quickly building in that culture with just over a dozen returning letterwinners from last season's squad.
"We make sure we get in a lot of meals together. In the past, there's a lot of grab-and-go type stuff. We're making these guys sit down with a lot of mandatory meals, a lot of time spent outside the building that has nothing to do with football together, trying to get to know each other. I've spent a lot of time with them, really talking about our DNA and our culture of selfless, tough and accountable and then defining those almost ad nauseum so that we all know exactly what we're trying to achieve and that they're getting to know each other across position groups."
Southern Miss continues to stack practices together as the Golden Eagles move toward the Spring Showcase set for April 18. The 2026 season opener is slated for Saturday, Sept. 5, against Alcorn State at Carlise-Faulkner Field at M.M. Roberts Stadium.
New season tickets and renewals are available for the 2026 Golden Eagle home schedule that features six home games at The Rock. To purchase tickets, visit SouthernMiss.com/Tickets.
Follow @SouthernMissFB on social media to get the latest Golden Eagle updates.
The Golden Eagles opened practice with stretches and position-specific development before breaking into team periods. Anderson noted that while today was a chance to see the team in full pads, the focus of the practice is still on defining the culture of his program.
"The main thing for us, and I think something that our guys have to embrace is that we've got to play harder than the opponent. We won't know talent level until we start playing other people. We brought a bunch of guys in that had played snaps, but at this level there's not a lot to go on. We may be in a talent deficit, but we can out work people, we can play harder, play harder longer and be in better shape. We need to prepare to win and not let talent be the issue.
On building that culture, Anderson the ways the coaching staff is quickly building in that culture with just over a dozen returning letterwinners from last season's squad.
"We make sure we get in a lot of meals together. In the past, there's a lot of grab-and-go type stuff. We're making these guys sit down with a lot of mandatory meals, a lot of time spent outside the building that has nothing to do with football together, trying to get to know each other. I've spent a lot of time with them, really talking about our DNA and our culture of selfless, tough and accountable and then defining those almost ad nauseum so that we all know exactly what we're trying to achieve and that they're getting to know each other across position groups."
Southern Miss continues to stack practices together as the Golden Eagles move toward the Spring Showcase set for April 18. The 2026 season opener is slated for Saturday, Sept. 5, against Alcorn State at Carlise-Faulkner Field at M.M. Roberts Stadium.
New season tickets and renewals are available for the 2026 Golden Eagle home schedule that features six home games at The Rock. To purchase tickets, visit SouthernMiss.com/Tickets.
Follow @SouthernMissFB on social media to get the latest Golden Eagle updates.
2026 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