The Book 2008 Football

[Zeebart21]

2008 Preseason Sun Belt Poll
As voted on by the league's eight head coaches. First place votes in parentheses.

1. Florida Atlantic (6) 62
2. Troy (1) 51
3. Louisiana-Monroe (1) 46
4. Arkansas State 39
5. Middle Tennessee 32
6. Louisiana-Lafayette 26
7. North Texas 19
8. Florida International 13

[ManAboutTown]

Starters Returning: 12 (6 offense, 4 defense, 2 specialist)

Offensive Starters Lost: QB Jeremy Young, LG Chris Clark, RG Nick Dean, C Rick Thompson, FB Marcus Raines.

Offensive Starters Returning: RT Ryan McKee, TE Shawn Nelson, RB Damion Fletcher, LT Calvin Wilson, WR Gerald Baptiste, WR Ed Morgan.

Defensive Starters Lost: DE Matthew Chatelain, NT Sean Merrill, DT Martavius Prince, LB Robert Henderson, LB James Denley, DB LeVance Richmond, DB Brandon Sumrall.

Defensive Starters Returning: LB Tokumbo Abanikanda, DB C.J. Bailey, DB Eddie Hicks, MLB Gerald McRath.

Starting Specialists Lost: None

Starting Specialists Returning: P Britt Barefoot, K Justin Estes


2008 Southern Mississippi Football Overview

2008 saw the end of an era, as long time USM head coach Jeff Bower was forced out after 17 years at the Golden Eagles helm.

At the time of Bower’s resignation, only Penn State's Joe Paterno (42), Bobby Bowden (32) of Florida State and Virginia Tech's Frank Beamer (21) had longer tenures with their schools. Bower guided USM to 14 straight winning seasons, three outright Conference USA championships and one shared league title. He was named the conference's coach of the decade in 2004 and was coach of the year in 1997, 1999 and 2003.

Despite going to 10 bowls in the past 11 seasons, a faction of influential boosters decided the program had grown stale and it was time to make a change.

Replacing Bower is former Oklahoma State offensive coordinator Larry Fedora. The Cowboys were in the top 10 in rushing yards per game and in the top 20 in total offense per game in each of the last two seasons.

USM has been a consistent contender for the C-USA crown, so Fedora knows what is expected of him.

"Our goal is to compete for the conference championship, and it will be every year," Fedora said. "We are at a level where we ought to compete for the conference championship each and every season."

However, in the reality is that USM returns only six starters on offense and four on defense. The Golden Eagles will also be starting from scratch with new offensive and defensive philosophies, including a spread attack for an offense without any experienced quarterback candidates.

In other words, this may be the closest thing to a rebuilding year they have seen in Hattiesburg in a long time.


2008 Southern Miss Offense:

Overseeing USM’s switch to the spread is new offensive coordinator, Darrell Wyatt. He was a member of the Arizona Wildcats staff last season as the wide receivers/passing game coordinator coach. In his lone season, the Wildcats ranked No. 10 nationally in passing yards per game (308.5).

Either redshirt freshman Austin Davis and sophomore Martevious Young will start at QB. Neither was able to claim the job in the spring.

“They still have a lot of work to do,” said Wyatt. “That will wage through volunteer workouts and fall camp. Both guys had moments and I'm really impressed with both. They both have the ability to make off-schedule plays, make plays with their legs and throw with accuracy."

The ground game will be set with Junior RB Damion Fletcher. The juniorcarried 29 times for 155 yards in the Papajohns.com Bowl to finish the season with a single-season best 1,586 yards and 15 rushing scores. He has recorded a total of 16, 100 yard rushing games in his first two seasons at USM, along with seven multi-touchdown games on the ground and 26 career scores. Fletcher already ranks fourth on the school's all-time rushing list with 2,974 yards and needs just 622 yards to become the leader. The spread could open things up even more for Fletcher, and he could be poised to have a great year.

In addition to the Golden Eagles’ lack of an experienced quarterback, they also need to find a proven, consistent playmaker at receiver. Gerald Baptiste and Ed Morgan could fill the bill.

2008 Southern Miss Defense:

Defense has always been the cornerstone of USM’s success. However, this year the Golden Eagles return only four starters. This does not give new defensive coordinator Todd Bradford much to work with. However, the former Oklahoma State linebacker coach has a few pieces to build on.

Junior linebacker Gerald McRathis a preseason candidate for the Lombardi Award. McRath, the reigning Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year, led the Golden Eagles with 139 tackles last season to go along with 12 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, three passes broken up and one forced fumble. Last season, he tallied seven games in which he recorded 10 or more tackles including a career-best 21 at home against UCF.

There are no returning starters on the defensive line and the secondary is uncertain beyond junior FS Eddie Hicks.


2008 Southern Miss Special Teams

As with the other area of its team, USM has questions to resolve on special teams. Britt Barefoot is one of C-USA's best punters but PK Justin Estes has a lot to prove. The Golden Eagles enter the season looking for help in the return game.





Maybe we catch the Golden Eagles at the perfect time? Set the tone for a fresh start? It would be huge...

[CajunZ1]

I think that's a very accurate ranking for our team as far as preseason expectations are concerned. I would have a hard time arguing that we should get more respect than 6th at this point.

The success of our team this year hinges on our defense being better. MUCH better. Obviously, the pundits aren't convinced that we will be.

Here's to hoping we prove them wrong!

[BrudaCajun]

Great no expectations, we all no we don't do well when we are supposed to. I still think we are going to be a good team. I would rather a preseason poll rank us last, then there is no pressure.

[rhineaux]

I'm trying to book my trip to Hattiesburg for the game. Has anyone else booked yet? Any ideas or advice as to where to stay? i'd like to stay where lots of other Cajun fans are staying. Anyone know of any Tailgating groups that are planning to be there and where they're setting up?

[Jeaux]

i'm not sure if I wanna stay in Hattiesburg or drive back down to new orleans. I think it's only an hour and a half away and we have some free nights at harrahs we need to use up.

igeaux.mobi

[cajun4life]

I'm trying to book my trip to Hattiesburg for the game. Has anyone else booked yet? Any ideas or advice as to where to stay? i'd like to stay where lots of other Cajun fans are staying. Anyone know of any Tailgating groups that are planning to be there and where they're setting up?

Most of the decent hotels are off of Hardy Street. Hardy Street also runs right past the football stadium, its maybe ten minutes away. It is going to be an eye opening experience for those of us who have never been to a USM game. That town really really supports USM first and LSU second. Go figure, I wish we could get the support from Lafayette that USM gets from Hattiesburg.

[cajun4life]

We will win the Belt if we start the year 3-2.

[Zeebart21]

_ We will win the Belt if we start the year 3-2. _

First 5 are:

S Miss
Illinois
Kent State
K state
and
Munrow

only 1 game at home?

That's a tall order.

I say, lets do it!

Z

[Damon]

First 5 are:

S Miss
Illinois
Kent State
K state
and
Munrow

only game at home?

That's a tall order.

I say, lets do it!

Z

Very tall order. I only see 2 wins in there, and that's if we play our ashes off.

[Zeebart21]

_ I'm trying to book my trip to Hattiesburg for the game. Has anyone else booked yet? Any ideas or advice as to where to stay? i'd like to stay where lots of other Cajun fans are staying. Anyone know of any Tailgating groups that are planning to be there and where they're setting up? _

I got a couple of rooms booked here.


Hampton Inn Hattiesburg
4301 Hardy Street
Hattiesburg, MS
United States, 39402
Tel: 1-601-264-8080
Fax: 1-601-268-9916

Don't know where the team or anyone else is staying. I got a ton of Hilton pts to use up.

[Rebel02]

_ I got a couple of rooms booked here.


Hampton Inn Hattiesburg
4301 Hardy Street
Hattiesburg, MS
United States, 39402
Tel: 1-601-264-8080
Fax: 1-601-268-9916

Don't know where the team or anyone else is staying. I got a ton of Hilton pts to use up. _

Everyone write down that hotel....STAY AWAY!!!