Friday, December 21, 2007

TEAM PROFILE: Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles

Southrern Miss Golden Eagles 7-5

Key Players:

OT- Chris Clark: Anchor of line, 36 career starts
6-5, 290 SR (La)- 1st CUSA 07’

TE- Shawn Nelson: stretches the field, don’t throw to him enough
6-5, 240 JR (La)- 1st CUSA 07’

DE- Matthew Chatelain: teams top pass rusher, stable and steady, def leader
6-2, 247 SR (La)- 1st CUSA 07’

DT- Martavius Prince: very active, makes lots of tackles, big time run stuffer
6-3, 287 SR (Fla)- 1st CUSA 07’, 2nd CUSA 06’

MLB- Gerald McRath: on Bednarik Watch, 131tack 13th in NCAA, 10for loss, 4.5sk
6-3, 212 SO (Ga)- Def POY CUSA 07’ 1st CUSA 07’, 06’ 3rd CUSA,
All Frosh CUSA 06’

CB- Brandon Sumrall: great KR too, one of teams hardest hitters and fastest players
5-11, 195 SR (Miss)- 1st CUSA 07’, 3rd CUSA 06’, 2nd CUSA in 05’

RB- Damion Fletcher: quick feet, strong legs, one cut back, Warrick Dunn type
5-10, 175 SO (Miss)- 2nd CUSA 07’, 1st CUSA 06’, All Frosh CUSA 06’,
Off FOY CUSA 06’, All Frosh CUSA 06’

OG- Nick Dean: consistent, good improvement over last 2 years, played tackle
6-3, 284 SR (Miss)- 2nd CUSA 07’

OT- Ryan McKee: strong, consistent technique
6-6, 275 JR (Ala)- 2nd CUSA 07’

P- Britt Barefoot: outstanding at kickoffs as well, very strong leg
6-0, 181 JR (Miss)- 2nd CUSA 07’

QB- Jeremy Young: athleticism always greater than football IQ, 06 GMAC bowl MVP
6-3, 215 SR (Miss)- HM CUSA 07’

OT- Calvin Wilson: MissState transfer, good speed for his massive size, great run blocker
6-6, 352 JR (Miss)- HM CUSA 07’

DE- Robert Henderson: explosive, ‘bandit’ end
6-3, 283 SR (La)- HM CUSA 07, 3rd CUSA 06’



CB- C.J. Bailey: outstanding athlete, former QB, good cover skills
5-10, 182 FR (Miss)- All Frosh 07’ CUSA

FS- Chico Hunter: good performance in first year
6-0, 190 FR (Miss)- All Frosh 07’ CUSA

K- Justin Estes: good leg, maybe not from 45+ though, 15-22
5-9, 160 FR (Ohio)- HM CUSA 07’, All Frosh CUSA 07’

Watch Our For:
WR- Torris Magee: speedy slot receiver, great hands too, led team in receiving
6-2, 204 FR (Miss)- HM CUSA 07’





Team Info:

Passing Off: 193.6 yrds/g, 90th in NCAA
-ALL revolves around Jeremy Young, performed well in 1st bowl game
-need to be successful to get pressure off Fletcher and get guys out of the box
-have 2 talented receivers in Magee and Nelson
BIGGEST WEAKNESS

Rushing Off: 202.6 yrds/g, 20th NCAA
-Fletcher probably schools best back ever
-Young can convert 3rd and short with legs IF he plays with his head on straight
-great line
BIGGEST STRENGTH

Passing Def: 223.6 yrds/g, 52nd in NCAA
-young, but talented in secondary
-good pass rush is necessary to give Bailey and Hunter less time to cover rec
-senior DEs could have big game

Rushing Def: 140.4 yrds/g, 49th in NCAA
-McRath is a force
-can’t get too far up the field
-have to key up on Mauk
KEY TO THE GAME

Special Teams:
Kicking: B+ (43 lng, 4+40)
Punting: A-
Return Game: B+



Key Stats:
3rd Down Conversions- 83/181 (46%) vs.73/173 (42%)
Penalties- 63 for 620yrds (51.7per) vs. 82 for 658yrds (54.8)
Turnovers- 26 vs. 24 (-2)
TOP- 30:16 vs. 29:44

Head Coach: Jeff Bower will retire after this game after his 17th season at Southern Miss
-14 straight winning seasons
-team will be pumped up to play for him

*good talent, seem to have underachieved greatly in big games this year
*Jeremy Young’s performance is especially crucial, has to not lose the game, not win it
*Being able to stop Mauk’s running will decide the game, he converts a lot of 3rd downs

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