Southern Miss opens spring football practice

By Staff
Special to The Star
March 21, 2001
HATTIESBURG Though the weather seemed like anything but early spring in south Mississippi, the Southern Miss football Golden Eagles put in their first practice of spring 2001 Tuesday, and drew solid praise from head coach Jeff Bower.
Late afternoon temperatures were only in the mid-40's, but a brisk northwest wind dropped the wind chill factor to near the freezing mark.
Coming off a solid 8-4, 2000 season that saw the Eagles make their fourth bowl appearance in as many years and with coaching changes in the off-season, Southern Miss will spend much of the spring working to replace nine departed starters, two from the offense and seven on defense.
Bower also announced that Corey Hosey (Bay Springs/Jr.) has been moved from wide receiver to a defensive back spot and Patrick Corbett (Kosciusko/Fr.) from tight end to offensive tackle.
The Eagles will not work Wednesday, will get in practices Thursday and Friday and possibly scrimmage for the first time Saturday, though a time for that workout has not been set.
NCAA regulations allow 15 spring workouts.
The Southern Miss schedule includes 10 practices prior to the April 7 spring game, followed by the final practice sessions the week after the spring game.