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Tide, USM QBs both injured
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Rmun Offline
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<a href='http://www.sunherald.com/mld/sunherald/sports/9895899.htm' target='_blank'>http://www.sunherald.com/mld/sunherald/spo...rts/9895899.htm</a>

Posted on Tue, Oct. 12, 2004





Tide, USM QBs both injured

Bama to unleash big rushing attack

By AL JONES

THE SUN HERALD


HATTIESBURG - Southern Miss will be without starting quarterback Dustin Almond while Alabama will be without its leader, quarterback Brodie Croyle, when the two teams collide at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday.

The Crimson Tide will likely also be without running back Ray Hudson, who ran for 99 yards on 18 carries in a 45-17 win at Kentucky.

But Alabama still has Kenneth Darby (99 yards on 20 carries) and fullback Tim Castille (33 yards on eight carries) and finished with 304 rushing yards against Kentucky.

The Tide also features an offensive line that averages more than 300 pounds.

"There is no doubt that they will line up and run the football," Southern Miss defensive coordinator Tyrone Nix said during Jeff Bower's weekly press conference. "That is their strength, and they do it well. They have a good offensive line and good back.

"I don't see a drop-off (from injuries). Alabama will have the size advantage, but we still have to be physical. It will be the best O-line that we will face this season; it will be a challenge."

Alabama averages 240.17 rushing yards per game while Southern Miss yields 170.

Players of the Week - Dustin Almond, who suffered a hamstring injury in the closing minutes of the 35-29 overtime win against Houston, was named the Offensive Player of the Game. Almond completed 16-of-28 passes for 168 yards and one touchdown and one interception.

John Eubanks picked up Special Teams Player of the Week honors with three kickoff returns for 158 yards, including a 97-yard return that extended Southern Miss' lead to 14-7 in the first quarter. Eubanks was also named the Conference USA Player of the Week.

Southern Miss cracks Top 25 - For the first time since the 2000 season, the last year the Golden Eagles beat Bama, Southern Miss is ranked No. 24 by The Associated Press.

The last time Southern Miss entered its non-conference showdown with Alabama unbeaten was the 2002 season. The Golden Eagles were 3-0 after beating Jackson State, Illinois and Memphis. But Bama drilled the Golden Eagles 20-7 before a Bryant-Denny Stadium crowd of 83,818.

This marks the first time that the Golden Eagles have been ranked against the Crimson Tide.

Missed extra point - After Southern Miss scored on a four-yard pass from Damion Carter to Otho Graves on its first possession of overtime, the extra point attempt was blocked.

Special teams coach Lytrel Pollard said it was a break down in protection, not the fault of sophomore kicker Darren McCaleb of D'Iberville.
10-12-2004 07:48 PM
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Rabid_BAMA_Fan Offline
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Losing Ray Hudson will hurt Bama more than people realize. He was the only true break away runner they had. He had the speed and the moves to take it to the end zone on any given play. Darby is a good running back, but he doesn't have the skill that Hudson has, at least not at this point. Darby is a Sophmore that has potential, but he just isn't Ray Hudson yet. He will have an opportunity to step up this week along with Tim Castille. Castille is a bruiser of a back. He can get you a first down on short yardage plays, or he can break one for 20 or 30 yards. He's a 4.6 guy at best, but he runs hard and will punish a defense if he carries it enough. The only problem with Darby, he likes to leave it on the ground too often. That could cause a problem in a close game like I expect the USM game to be. We'll see!

Good post RMUN.
10-12-2004 08:00 PM
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