July 18, 2003
Golden Eagles seek return to supremacy
Linebacker Rod Davis promises C-USA title, trip to Liberty Bowl
By Tim Doherty
tdoherty@clarionledger.com
Last July, Southern Miss linebacker Rod Davis vowed that his Golden Eagles would win a Conference USA football championship and play in the Liberty Bowl in Memphis.
Eagles' schedule
Aug. 30 at California
Sept. 4 at UAB
Sept. 13 Memphis
Sept. 25 Nebraska
Oct. 4 at Cincinnati
Oct. 11 at Alabama
Oct. 25 South Florida
Nov. 1 La.-Lafayette
Nov. 8 at Houston
Nov. 15 Tulane
Nov. 20 TCU
Nov. 29 at East Carolina
Thursday night at the Mississippi Trade Mart, Davis made a similar promise to the Golden Eagle fans who turned out for USM's Jackson-area kickoff for the 2003 football season.
"Last year, we let ourselves down, we let you down, we let the whole Southern Miss family down," said Davis, a preseason All-American. "When I got here in 1999, they won a championship and left a legacy, a tradition.
"As a senior, I want to continue that tradition. Dec. 31, you can go ahead and get your reservations. We will be in Memphis, Tenn."
Davis' promise drew one of the louder responses of the evening, outdone, perhaps, only by the ovations accorded two of USM's all-time greats: football's Reggie Collier and basketball's Clarence Weatherspoon.
Both were among the 500 faithful who gathered to listen to USM football coach Jeff Bower, as well as men's basketball coach James Green, baseball coach Corky Palmer and USM President Shelby Thames.
"We're getting bigger and bigger crowds here on a consistent basis," said Benji Barham of Clinton. "The Southern Miss family is starting to come out."
Bower gave a quick synopsis of his team, saying the Golden Eagles could be conference contenders with a more consistent defense and a less turnover-prone offense.
Before talking to the gathering, Bower said that at least one of USM's signees would not be with the team when players report Aug. 3.
Bower said Ken Griffin, an all-state linebacker from Brandon, would be attending Hinds Community College after failing to meet NCAA academic standards for freshman eligibility.
Bower said he still didn't know whether signee Anthony Perine would be in camp.
Perine, a standout at George County, had signed as a receiver. But he recently was indicted on a felony sexual battery charge for an alleged incident this past spring in Lucedale involving a 13-year-old girl.
"I don't know what's going to happen," Bower said. "I'm not ready to make a decision."
Bower said quarterback Zac White and offensive lineman Ben Culp, have given up football because of injuries.
White, a redshirt junior from Gardendale, Ala., was No. 3 behind Micky D'Angelo and Dustin Almond on the depth chart. He had taken over as the holder on extra points and field goals this spring.
Bower said White had shoulder surgery this summer. He will receive a medical redshirt and stay the next two seasons as a student assistant coach.
Culp, a junior college transfer from Northeastern Oklahoma A&M Community College, recently had a second surgery performed on his neck.
Culp was hampered by chronic shoulder problems since arriving in Hattiesburg last summer. He began spring as a starting guard, but lost the spot to redshirt freshman Travis Cooley. Tests this summer revealed bulging discs in his neck.
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