Golden Eagles focusing on bowl opponent

"(Sunday) was much better than it had been the last few days," USM coach Jeff Bower said. "Now our primary focus is on preparing for Utah, and that will be good."

The afternoon practice, at the USM Track and Soccer Complex, was the sixth practice before the 2003 AXA Liberty Bowl, scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Dec. 31.

"This was a good practice," Bower said. "We had a lot better effort and our attitude was good."

The workout was the fourth in a row for Southern Miss, which had taken a three-day break from full practices during exam week.

Bower said that some players were limited in the practice because on injuries, but there should be enough time for those injuries to heal before the bowl game.

"We have a few guys banged up," Bower said. "(Defensive back) John Eubanks didn't practice because of an ankle injury, and we have a couple of hamstring (injuries). But, by the bowl, we should have everybody ready."

The Golden Eagles return to practice Tuesday and have nine more postseason practices before facing the champion from the Mountain West Conference, Utah, in the 2003 AXA Liberty Bowl.

The game will be televised by ESPN.


Hattiesburg American - Originally published Monday, December 15, 2003

Those of us who live in Memphis welcome you to our city and to the Liberty Bowl! Bring home a victory for the state of Mississippi! We'll be trying to do the same out in Dallas.

Hotty Toddy Y'all!!