Larry Fedora

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Southern Miss Announces 2011 Football Schedule

HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Home games against both Conference USA divisional champions from a season ago highlight the 2011 Southern Miss football schedule which was released Thursday by Golden Eagle Athletic Director Richard Giannini.

The Golden Eagles face five teams that reached postseason bowls last season, two of those schools at home, including West Division champion SMU, Oct. 22, and league champion UCF, Nov. 12.

“We face another challenging schedule in 2011 that includes tough non-conference road games at Virginia and Navy,” said Southern Miss football coach Larry Fedora. “We expect Conference USA to be even tougher again this season. The coaching staff and the team are excited about the challenge that the 2011 schedule presents.”

Southern Miss opens the campaign Sept. 3, at home against Louisiana Tech and completes the non-conference portion of its home slate two weeks later, Sept. 17, against Southeastern Louisiana.

Rice comes to visit Hattiesburg for the second time in its history on Oct. 1, to open home conference play, and SMU will visit the Golden Eagles on Oct., 22, which is also designated as the school’s homecoming.

The league’s defending champion, UCF then makes a trip to The Rock, Nov. 12, and the Golden Eagles complete their regular season at home against Memphis, Nov. 26.

“This is the second year in a row that we have hosted both divisional champions in Hattiesburg from the season before,” Giannini said. “It will be an exciting schedule so let the battles begin.”usm

The 2011 home football promotional plan was unveiled earlier this month during the school’s Signing Day Celebration and each home game has been designated as a battle, incorporating different themes for each date which includes its annual homecoming celebration and Black Out game. Those themes will be announced later this spring.

Fedora’s team also travels to Marshall (Sept. 10), Virginia (Sept. 24), Navy (Oct. 8), UTEP (Oct. 29), East Carolina (Nov. 5), and UAB (Nov. 19). The school enjoys its lone open week on Oct. 15.

Game times and television appearances will be released at a later date.

Football season tickets can now be ordered by going online at SouthernMiss.com, by calling 1-800-844-TICK (8425) or by visiting the Pat Ferlise Athletic Ticket Center, Monday-Friday, from 8 a.m., until 5 p.m.

2011 Southern Miss Football Schedule

Sept. 3                      Louisiana Tech
Sept. 10                    at Marshall*
Sept. 17                    Southeastern Louisiana
Sept. 24                    at Virginia
Oct. 1                        Rice*
Oct. 8                        at Navy
Oct. 15                      Open
Oct. 22                      SMU* (HC)
Oct. 29                      at UTEP*
Nov. 5                       at East Carolina*
Nov. 12                     UCF*
Nov. 19                     at UAB*
Nov. 26                     Memphis*

Filed under: Featured, Hattiesburg, Sports, USM, American football, Conference USA, Larry Fedora, Richard Giannini, Southern Miss Golden Eagles football team, Sports

Southern Miss Football Announces Staff Changes

HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Southern Miss football coach Larry Fedora announced Wednesday afternoon the promotions of Walt Bell and Robert Matthews to full-time offensive coaching staff positions, while current assistant coach Barney Farrar will transition to a new position on the staff.

The hirings are subject to approval by the IHL Board of Supervisors.

Bell, a native of Dickson, Tenn., was an offensive graduate assistant on the Golden Eagle staff last season overseeing the tight ends, while Mathews, of Duluth, Ga., served as a volunteer administrative assistant who helped with the offensive line coach and Farrar of Kossuth, Miss., served as a wide receivers coach.  Bell will coach the receivers and Matthews will oversee the tight ends as well as assist Chris Kapilovic with the offensive line, and become the team’s recruiting coordinator. Farrar will become the Director of High School Relations and Player Development on the staff.

Bell came to Southern Miss after spending a season as a quality control coach at Oklahoma State. Prior to his stint at OSU, Bell worked two years as a graduate assistant at Memphis following his playing days at Middle Tennessee. He also worked a season at Louisiana-Lafayette.

He earned both his bachelor’s degree (criminal justice administration, 2005) and master’s degree (sports management, 2006) from MTSU.

Last season, Bell coached the tight ends and first-team All-Conference USA performer Johdrick Morris, who ranked first on the team in catches with 50 and second on the squad in receiving yards with 684. The tight end corps also accounted for seven of the team’s 24 receiving touchdowns.

“Walt Bell is a young coach that has put in his time by working extremely hard,” said Fedora. “He oversaw our tight ends last season and has proven to be a very bright coach and a tremendous asset to this program.”

Prior to coming to Southern Miss, Matthews spent four seasons at Oklahoma State. He spent the 2006 campaign as the Coordinator of Football Operations and then was elevated to Director of Recruiting for the 2007-08 seasons. In 2009, Matthews joined the full-time staff as quarterbacks coach. During his time in Stillwater, the Cowboys reached three bowl games and was a major reason why OSU landed Top 25 recruiting classes for the 2006, 2007 and 2008 campaigns.

In addition to his recruiting efforts, Matthews oversaw the walk-on program and handled other internal operations within the football program while the Director of Recruiting.

Before arriving in Stillwater, Matthews spent seven years as a high school coach in the state of Georgia. He was the head coach at Shiloh High in Snellville, for three seasons, where he guided his team to playoff runs in the state’s largest classification and also spearheaded a facility upgrade that included a new strength center locker room and coaches offices.

His other high school stops included North Gwinnett (2001-02) as offensive coordinator, Camden County (2000) as wide receivers/special teams coordinator and Oconee County (1999) as tight ends/special teams coordinator.

He played three seasons at the University of Georgia (1996-98) and was a member of the Outback and Peach Bowl champions during his tenure. In addition, he was a three-time member of the SEC academic honor roll and earned his bachelor’s degree in exercise science and a master’s degree in science education.

Matthews, whose wife’s named is Laura, helped the Golden Eagle line coach which started an offense that gained a school-record 5,894 yards and averaged over 200 yards in both rushing and passing.

“Robert came in and did a great job in assisting our offensive line last season and has experience in not only coaching on the collegiate and high school level, but with recruiting as well” said Fedora. “His hire, as well as Walt’s, allows us to not miss a beat on offense as both guys know the offensive system. Both guys will be loyal to Southern Miss and it is nice to be able to reward guys who have worked hard for you.”

Farrar, who has been on Fedora’s staff since 2008, will play a bigger role in his new position by leading the program’s player development as well as help with recruiting efforts for the team.

“Barney has shown that he has the abilities to create unique relationships with coaches not only in this state but all throughout the Southeast as well,” Fedora said. “He has also developed unique relationships with these players and we are excited to have him running our player development program full-time and taking advantage of his abilities.”

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Filed under: Featured, Hattiesburg, Sports, USM, Barney Farrar, College football, football coach, Larry Fedora, Robert Matthews, Southern Miss Golden Eagles, Sports, Walt Bell

Southern Miss Names Disch Defensive Coordinator; Announces Duty Changes for Staff Members

HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Southern Miss football coach Larry Fedora announced Tuesday afternoon the hiring of Dan Disch as defensive coordinator as well as safeties coach. In addition, linebacker coach David Duggan has added the title of co-defensive coordinator and running backs coach Pat Washington will add the role of special teams coordinator.

The hiring is pending approval by the IHL Board of Supervisors.

“We basically will go from a basic 4-3 to a 4-2-5 defense that will be multiple and something that we will still be able to bring a lot of heat without everyone knowing where we are coming from, which will be very good against the type of offenses we face in this conference,” Fedora said. “Dan also is known for having the ability of getting everything out of his players and having them play extremely hard for him dating back to his high school coaching days, and that has followed him during his career. He has had some great linebackers at Illinois, which is something that they had not had in many years.

“I am just excited about the attitude that he brings to the defense.”

Disch, a native of Jacksonville, Fla., comes to Southern Miss after spending the last six seasons at Illinois, in which he served as the secondary coach (2004), special teams coordinator/outside linebackers (2005-06), co-defensive coordinator/outside linebackers (2007-09) and inside linebackers coach (2010). He served under Ron Zook for the last seven seasons, including one year at Florida (2004). Fedora also was a member of that Gator staff in 2004.

“Obviously, I am extremely excited, as is my family, about the opportunity of leading the defense at Southern Miss,” Disch said. “Southern Miss has a great tradition of playing defense and they play in an offensive league. I am looking forward to the challenge ahead. I had the opportunity to work with Coach Fedora at Florida and have followed his career since our season there together and am looking forward to working with him again.”

Disch’s linebackers were a strong point of the Illini defense in 2010, as Martez Wilson collected 112 tackles, ranking tied for fourth in the Big Ten. Wilson also ranked among Big Ten leaders in tackles for loss. In 2009, one of Disch’s linebackers again led the team in tackles and ranked among the Big Ten leaders as Ian Thomas racked up 95 stops.

In 2008, for the third-straight season, Illinois’ middle linebacker led the Big Ten in tackles and was a first-team All-Big Ten selection. After J Leman in 2006 and 2007, Brit Miller averaged 11.0 tackles per game. The Illini also led the Big Ten in tackles for loss and sacks, in which Miller was also the team leader.

Disch’s 2007 Fighting Illini defense was one of the best in the Big Ten, led by consensus All-American and first-team All-Big Ten selection, Leman. The heart of the Illini defense, Leman finished sixth on the Illinois career tackles list and ranked fifth in all-time tackles for loss.

In 2006, Disch’s linebacking corps helped the Illini make a large improvement in total and rushing defense. The team bettered their numbers from the 2005 season by over 160 total yards, led mostly in part by the emergence of middle linebacker Leman. He earned first-team All-Big Ten honors as well as honorable mention Sports Illustrated All-America honors. He led the Big Ten with 12.7 tackles per game and ranked 10th in the nation in TFL per game.

As the special teams coach for the Illini in 2005, Disch tutored All-Big Ten and All-American punter Steve Weatherford, who with a 42.6 average, became the school’s all-time leader in punting average. Just one year later, more special teams records were broken under Disch’s watch as running back Pierre Thomas set a new mark for kickoff return yards in a career. He averaged 31.9 yards per return in 2006 and ranks third on the school’s all-time return average list with a 25.3 mark.

In 2004 at Florida, Disch rebuilt a secondary that lost all four starters from the previous year, yet his new group still recorded 16 interceptions. The production came from a group that entered the season with just four career picks. Safety Jarvis Herring ranked third in the SEC in interceptions per game, while corner Dee Webb was fourth in passes defended.

Prior to entering the collegiate ranks, Disch spent 22 years coaching high school football in the Jacksonville, Fla., area, including 16 seasons as the head coach of Ed White High School, where he posted a record of 122-55 to become the school’s all-time winningest coach. While under Disch’s lead, Ed White made 11 playoff appearances, won seven district and six conference championships, and reached the state quarterfinals four times. Ed White also was ranked in the Top-10 of the state’s final football poll eight times. Additionally, five of Disch’s high school assistant coaches went on to land head coaching jobs.

Disch is a 1981 graduate of Florida State University. He was born in Jacksonville, Fla., and is married to the former Janet Johnson. The couple has three daughters: Chandler, Erica and Virginia.

Duggan, who is in his fourth season with the Golden Eagle staff, will add the title of co-defensive coordinator for the Golden Eagles to go along with coaching the linebackers.  Washington, who joined the staff in 2009, will begin his third season overseeing all of Southern Miss’ special teams.

“David Duggan is a heck of a football coach and has a tremendous amount of experience with schemes and in working with kids and is a proven winner,” Fedora added. “This is a move up for him to have more of a say so on the defense. He did a tremendous job for us on special teams the last couple of years and he won’t be able to do that and take on this new job as co-defensive coordinator.

“Pat Washington has proved with the responsibilities that he has had that he has done a great job and I am looking forward to what he will be bringing to the role as well.”

Disch’s Year-by-Year:

2010                   University of Illinois (linebackers)

2007-09            University of Illinois (co-defensive coordinator, outside linebackers)

2005-06            University of Illinois (special teams, outside linebackers)

2004                   University of Florida (secondary)

1988-2003        Ed White High School (head coach)

1986-87            Terry Parker High School (assistant coach)

1981-84            Forrest High School (assistant coach)

Personal:
Hometown: Jacksonville, Fla.
Birthdate: January 6, 1959
Family: Wife, Janet; Daughters, Chandler, Erica, Virginia
Education: B.S., Education/Psychology — Florida State, 1981
Bowl Games: Texas Bowl, 2010; Rose Bowl, 2008; Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl, 2004

Filed under: Dan Disch, football coach, Larry Fedora, Southern Miss, Sports, USM

Southern Miss to Hold 4th Annual Buffalo Wild Wings Signing Day Celebration

HATTIESBURG, Miss. – The fourth annual Buffalo Wild Wings Signing Day Celebration for Southern Miss football will be held Wed., Feb. 2, from 5-7 p.m., at the Lake Terrace Convention Center (One Convention Center Plaza).

“This is a great celebratory event for our football program as we get a our first chance to see the Golden Eagles of tomorrow as well as a chance for our fans to mingle with our current coaches and players,” said Southern Miss Director of Athletics Richard Giannini.

The event will feature an autograph session with current Golden Eagle players as well as a social hour from 5-6 p.m., before the program begins with a highlight tape of the newest Golden Eagles. Head coach Larry Fedora also will provide a “State of the Football Program” speech as the program enters into the 2011 campaign.

A buffet line courtesy of Buffalo Wild Wings will also be served along with free water and iced tea. A cash bar will also be available.

The doors open at 5 p.m., and tickets are $10 for adults ($15 at the door the day of the event) and $6 for youth (18-under). Fans can also purchase a table for 10 for $250 which includes own buffet line as well as premium seating for the event.

To purchase tickets, go online at SouthernMiss.com or call 1-800-844-TICK (8425). The Pat Ferlise Athletic Ticket Center is also open from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Filed under: Featured, Hattiesburg, Sports, USM, Hattiesburg, Lake Terrace Convention Center, Larry Fedora, Richard Giannini, Southern Miss Golden Eagles, Sports, University of Southern Mississippi

Golden Eagles Prepare Through Short Week for Final Regular Season Tilt at Tulsa

HATTIESBURG, Miss. – The Southern Miss football team continued preparations for its regular-season finale this Friday at Tulsa with a two-hour practice Tuesday afternoon at Carlisle-Faulkner Field at Roberts Stadium.

Game time is set for 5:30 p.m., at H.A. Chapman Stadium on the Golden Hurricane campus. It can be heard on one of the affiliates of the Southern Miss Sports Network as well as seen on CBS College Sports (Channel 735 on Comcast Digital Cable/393 in HD).

The Golden Eagles (8-3 overall, 5-2 C-USA) bring in a current three-game winning streak and a 9-1 mark during the month of November in the Larry Fedora era.
For Fedora, it is all about finishing up strong as the Golden Eagles went 4-0 during his first season in 2008 to complete the year with a five-game winning streak and a 30-27 overtime victory over Troy in the New Orleans Bowl. Last season, Southern Miss posted a 3-1 record over the final month of the regular season.

“Everybody remembers what you do in November as a football team,” said Fedora following Tuesday’s practice. “No one remembers what happened in September. They all remember in November, because that is usually what it boils down to – what happens in November.”

Southern Miss also has had two finalists named for two awards over the last couple of days with junior kicker Danny Hrapmann earning one of three national finalist spots for the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award and junior quarterback Austin Davis being tabbed as the Southern Miss nomination for the Conerly Trophy, honoring the top collegiate player in the state of Mississippi and voted on by selected members of the state’s media.

For Hrapmann, who has converted all 46 extra points this season and 23-of-26 field goals, it is hard for the third-year Golden Eagle coach to imagine a better candidate for the top place kicker in the country.

“I haven’t looked at everything and I do not know who has done much better, but I can’t imagine that there is a better kicker in the country right now,” said Fedora.

Fedora also had nothing but praise for his quarterback who has rallied from a season-ending injury the previous year as Davis missed the final eight games of the 2009 campaign.

“He’s been a tremendous leader on this football team and has done so much for us,” said Fedora. “Coming back from the injury the way he did and the way he has led this football team, with all the injuries that we have had at receiver, running back and offensive line, the kid has been a rock through all of it.”

Tulsa brings in an 8-3 overall record of its own and are 5-2 in league play.

Filed under: Featured, Sports, USM, Austin Davis, Danny Hrapmann, Larry Fedora, Southern Miss Golden Eagles, Southern Miss Golden Eagles football team, Sports

Golden Eagle Hotline with Larry Fedora Returns Tuesday Night

HATTIESBURG, Miss. – The Golden Eagle Hotline featuring football coach Larry Fedora will return Tuesday night for the final time this season from 7-8 p.m., at the Alumni House Sports Grill (204 N. 40th Ave.) on the Southern Miss Sports Network.

Coach Fedora and the voice of the Golden Eagles, John Cox, will talk about this week’s opponent, the Tulsa Golden Hurricane, as well as all the other happenings around the league.  They also will be answering fan questions live from the Alumni House for the hour-long program.

Stations on the Southern Miss Sports Network include flagship WXRR-FM, 104.5 (Hattiesburg), WQJQ-FM, 105.1 (Jackson), WFFF-FM, 96.7 (Columbia), WDMS-FM, 100.7 and WGVM-AM, 1260 (Greenville), WRBE-FM, 106.9 and WRBE-AM, 1440 (Lucedale), WAKH-FM, 105.7 (McComb), WMER-AM, 1390 (Meridian), WHOC-AM, 1490 and WWSL-FM, 102.3 (Philadelphia) and WABO-FM, 105.5 and WABO-AM, 990 (Waynesboro).

Fans are encouraged to attend the Alumni House and join in on the show by ask questions while those listening on the Southern Miss ISP Sports Network can call toll-free at 1-866-477-7080.

Filed under: Sports, USM, golden eagles, John Cox, Larry Fedora, Southern Miss, USM

USM Head Coach Larry Fedora’s Weekly Press Conference

Opening statement:

Larry Fedora

“We finished off a heck of a week last week with a great win Saturday night. I am really proud that our team persevered, showed what they are made of and overcame the adversity that was presented to us last week.”

On getting things back to normal:

“I think our guys are relieved to know that all three guys are going to be ok and not as worried about them now. They will still be in our thoughts, but we are not concerned with their lives (being lost) any longer.”

Update on the three players:

“Deddrick (Jones) has been released from the hospital. They are all doing well and are all in really, really good spirits. We can all learn a lesson in the way these guys have handled this situation, especially Martez (Smith) and the situation he is in and the attitude he has and the way he approaches every day. It is pretty amazing.”

On the way the guys responded Saturday:

“I cannot say enough good things about it. I knew what they had inside of them and I knew they wanted to play their best game, but saying that and coming out and doing it is two different things. Seeing them accomplish the goal that they wanted to accomplish as a team and honor those three players is impressive.”

On The emotions carrying over this week:

“I still hope we play with passion and enthusiasm, because that is our plan and that is what it is going to take. Tulsa is a really good football team that is really playing well right now. It is going to take that kind of emotion to be successful.”

On the team’s health:

“I do not think that they have told me of anyone that would not be able to go this week, other that the guys we know we have lost for the season.”

On what a win over Tulsa would mean:

“This could be win No. nine and that is important to us. We have not even talked about the East Division lately and have not in a long time. We are more concerned with winning this next game and getting No. nine under our belts. That would be huge for this team.”

On rebounding after the tough losses earlier in the season:

“Again, it is another testament to what these guys have inside of them. Whatever adversity that has been thrown at them this season they have continued to fight, scratch, claw and fight their way back from whatever has been thrown at them.”

On being around a team that has faced this much adversity:

“I have not been around a team that has faced this much adversity, not that I can remember. I have not been in that situation like we had the other night on any other team that I have been involved with.”

On Austin Davis’ performance last Saturday:

“He is the type of kid that knows he is a leader on this football team and he knew that is what he needed to do. He set his mind to play the best game of the year and he did that the week before as well. He told me last week he was going to play the best he has ever played and he went out and did that. That is just the kind of kid he is. He is going to prepare himself and leave no stone unturned to make sure he can play as well as he can.

“He is very competitive and he is not going to accept failure, that is for sure. He is going to do everything he can within his power to make sure we are successful.”

On Tulsa:

“They are a heck of a football team, they really are. They are moving the ball at will against everyone. No one has really shut them down all season. They are doing a great job on offense. Defensively, they are playing better the last few weeks than they have all season and on special teams, anytime you have a return guy like they do, its dangerous. They are clicking on all cylinders right now, so it should be a heck of a game.

On the Conerly Trophy, the top collegiate player in the state of Mississippi award:

“I think that we have some guys that should be considered, but Danny Hrapmann might be our best candidate. I don’t see how anyone could get over him. If anyone was at that game the other night and saw him hit that 60-yard field goal, it was not his fault that it did not count. I can assure you of that. Danny has shown this year to me, at least on our football team, that I would have to give it to Danny.”

On the short schedule this week:

“We will practice tomorrow, Wednesday and Thursday morning and fly out (later) that afternoon. On Wednesday night, we will have a Thanksgiving dinner and Thursday we will be pretty much locked in on what we need to do.”

On the return of Desmond Johnson:

“We are expecting him back this week. If either one of the other two guys (in the backfield) had gone down Saturday, he would have stepped in and played. He was ready to go.”

On Things to Be Thankful For This Thanksgiving:

“There is no doubt we have a lot to be thankful for. Obviously, those three guys are doing ok and are going to be ok and lead productive lives and that alone is enough to be thankful. We have so much to be thankful for, it has been an incredible year.”

On Tulsa QB G.J. Kinne:

“He can throw it, run it – he can do it all. He is not scared to put it on his back and take control. He is not a burner or anything, but he is elusive enough and runs hard enough to gain yardage. He can easily hurt you with his arm and he has enough play makers. All he has to do is get them the ball and they will make plays. I think the kid is doing a heck of a job.”

Filed under: Featured, Forrest County, Hattiesburg, USM, Austin Davis, Danny Hrapmann, golden eagles, Larry Fedora, Southern Miss, Sports, Tulsa, USM

Golden Eagles Set to Honor Teammates with Helmet Decal

HATTIESBURG, Miss. – The Southern Miss football team will wear a decal on its helmets to honor teammates Martez Smith, Tim Green and Deddrick Jones this weekend when they play the Houston Cougars.

The decal will be a gold heart with the players’s three numbers – 32 for Smith, 43 for Green and 91 for Jones – in black inside the heart.

The heart symbolizes a quote that Golden Eagle coach Larry Fedora first addressed the team about the shooting last weekend and that the three players are “in our hearts.”

The decals will also be handed out to fans prior to the game as they enter Carlisle-Faulkner Field at Roberts Stadium.

Game time is set for 7 p.m.

Filed under: Sports, USM, Decal, Deddrick Jones, Larry Fedora, Martez Smith, Roberts Stadium, Sports, Tim Green, University of Southern Mississippi

Fedora Football Friday Luncheon Returns for Final Time of Season Tomorrow

HATTIESBURG, Miss. – The Fedora Football Friday Luncheon with Larry Fedora returns for its final time this season, Nov. 19, at the R.C. Cook Union from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., prior to the Golden Eagles’ game this weekend against Houston. This will be the second-straight time the luncheon will be held there.

The event will be held in rooms A & B on the second floor and there is plenty of free parking located on the corner of Golden Eagle Avenue and Black and Gold Drive (directly east of Pride Field and the Payne Center) in the Bobby Chain Technology Center parking lot.

The event features a $10 buffet lunch and also includes a talk from Golden Eagle football coach Larry Fedora who will talk about this week’s opponent, the Cougars.

Southern Miss students, faculty and staff can pay for their lunch with their Eagle Dining Dollars.

Filed under: Featured, Sports, USM, Eagle, Golden Eagle football coach, Larry Fedora, Payne Center, University of Southern Mississippi

Golden Eagles to Honor Teammates By Wearing Their Jerseys

HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Three Southern Miss football players will get the honor of wearing teammates Martez Smith (Canton, Miss.), Tim Green(Columbia, S.C.) and Deddrick Jones (Bastrop, La.) jerseys this weekend when the Golden Eagles face Houston Saturday night at 7 p.m.

Junior DeAndre Bown (Ocean Springs, Miss.) will wear No. 43 honoring Green, senior John Henderson (Oakland City, Calif.) will be wearing No. 32 to honor Smith and junior Cordarro Law (Whitfield, Ala.) will wear No. 91 to honor Jones.

Southern Miss coach Larry Fedora announced this special honor following practice Wednesday afternoon. Fedora said he was initially brought the idea by Brown and then defensive line coach Deke Adams talked to a few of his position players and both Henderson and Law jumped at the opportunity to honor their teammates.

“It is a tremendous honor for them, because they are going to have to honor those guys and that is obviously a lot of responsibility,” said Fedora.

Fedora also said that the team has been talking about how the team will react over its final two games and will continue to do that as they finish preparations to face the Cougars.

“They know that we can use this as our crutch as the reason why (to not play well) and everybody will say that that is understandable and that is ok,” said Fedora. “Or we can gut it up and step up and it can be one of our finest hours. That is the choice that they have made and now we have to do the job.”

The Golden Eagles, 7-3 overall and 4-2 in Conference USA, will return to the practice field Thursday afternoon.

Southern Miss Media Relations

Filed under: Featured, Hattiesburg, Sports, USM, Conference USA, Cordarro Law, DeAndre Brown, Deddrick Jones, John Henderson, Larry Fedora, Martez Smith, Southern Miss Golden Eagles, Sports, Tim Green, University of Southern Mississippi