Ruffled Feathers

2006 Southern Miss Preview

2006-07-28T18:43:00.000-07:00

Head Coach: Jeff Bower

2005 Record: 7-5 (5-3) - New Orleans Bowl Champions

Last season was a memorable one for Southern Miss, as it saw the Golden Eagles practive at rival Memphis's facilities just days after Hurricane Katrina made landfall on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, play three games in the span of twelve days, and postpone two games to later dates. To most, last year's 7-5 record and New Orleans Bowl win was a dissapointment. But to the players and coaches, it was a season to remember.

2005 could also be coined as a season of near-misses and blown chances for Southern Miss, as the Golden Eagles were a mere nine points away from going 9-2. Close losses to N.C. State (21-17), Houston (27-24), and archrival Memphis (24-22) attoned for most of the feelings throughout Golden Eagle Nation; close, but no cigar. Vast improvments on the offensive side of the ball were overshadowed by the team's inability to tackle properly, and inconsistency became a regular term for the average Southern Miss fan. It was a season of up's and downs for the Golden Eagles, and with Jeff Bower entering his 14th year as head football coach of USM, I expect this year's squad to not only improve, but to win.

This season Southern Miss boasts one of the toughest schedules in C-USA, opening up on the road against Florida, with later away games against Virginia Tech, C-USA Champion Tulsa, C-USA Runner-Up UCF, and rival foes Memphis and Tulane. Conjure that up with home dates against N.C. State, Houston, East Carolina, UAB, and Marshall, and you have yourself one of the hardest schedule in the NCAA. If Southern Miss expects to succeed with this tough schedule, it's going to take a blend of smooth offensive performances and the rekindling of the old "Nasty Bunch." If the offense continues to improve, and a young defense plays physical for four quarters, I see unlimited possibilities for a very solid Southern Miss football team.

2006 Southern Miss Offense:

Jay Hopson's primary goal for the the 2005 season was simple: improvment. The Golden Eagle's first year offensive coordinator did just that, bettering USM's once struggling offense in almost every way. The Golden Eagles scored 29.58 points per game last season, over four points higher than last season's total. Southern Miss also made great strides in overall yards per game, passing efficiency, and passing yards per game. If Hopson can continue to develop USM's offense, we could see big things for the 2006 football season.

The Quarterbacks: The biggest concern for the 2006 season is the position of quarterback, as Southern Miss will be looking for someone other than Dustin Almond to man the offense for the first time since 2003. The front-runner looks to be red-shirt junior Jeremy Young, who capped a spectacular Spring Game performance with 77 yards and 6-of-10 passing. Young has little on-the-field experience, but knows the offense better than any other quarterback on the team. In Young's tenure at Southern Miss, he has accumulated 331 yards on 23-of-55 passing. Battling Young for the starting spot is junior Michigan State transfer Stephen Reaves. 2006 will mark Reaves first year of eligibility after his transfer to Hattiesburg a year ago. As a red-shirt freshman at Michigan State, Reaves went 23-of-58 passing with two touchdowns and 377 yards. Reaves underwent knee surgery after injuring himself at practice last fall, but has since healed and is playing well. Young will provide leadership to a very solid offense, and should succeed under a hearty offensive line. If he doesn't, look for Stephen Reaves to step in and take over in the middle of the year.

The Receivers: A plethora of experienced wide receivers make up most of the Golden Eagle offense and provide solid targets to quarterback Jeremy Young. The leader of this talented corp is senior Josh Barnes, who racked up 32 catches, five touchdowns, and 421 receiving yards as a junior last season. Red-shirt senior Anthony Perine also had a solid 2005, leading the team in yards (441), while also accumalating 31 catches and two touchdowns. Converted wide out Damion Carter, who served as USM's back-up quarterback for two seasons, looks to have a break-out senior season. Carter finished the season with 14 catches for 252 yards and two touchdowns last season, marking a career best for him. Carter's height and jumping ability really gives him an advantage when being covered, and defensive backs have a hard time tackling his 6'2, 193-pound frame. Joe Singleton, Southern Miss's next big star, had one of the best Spring Games a wide receiver could have. Singleton was not supposed to play last season, but due to a battered and bruised receiving corp, participated in the last seven games of the season, catching nine passing for 110 yards ane one touchdown. Look for Singleton to become the next Sherrod Gideon or Todd Pinkston of the 2000's. Rounding out the starters at wide out is red-shirt junior Chris Johnson. Johnson, who missed two games due to injury, recorded twenty catches for 303 yards and two touchdowns in 2005. Throw in Freshman All-American and New Orleans Bowl MVP Shawn Nelson, who posted 35 receptions, 540 receiving yards, and five touchdowns las season -solitifying his efforts as Southern Miss's best single-season tight end performance ever- and you have one of the best receiving units in C-USA. With everyone healthy, this should be the most talented group of wide outs at Southern Miss since the early 1990's.

The Backs: If any part of the offense needs vast improvment, it is undoubtedly the running game. Co-starters Cody Hull and Larry Thomas are battling it out for the starting job, while Conrad Chanove and C.J. Barrows wait patiently in the wings. Thomas was the starter for the first ten games of the season, gaining 647 yards and four touchdowns on 167 carries, while Hull, who rushed for 542 and three scores in 130 carrries, took over the role in the last three matchups. Thomas is a versatile back that catches passes and breaks open runs with amazing speed, while Hull blocks well and runs between the tackles. Hull had the better spring and will most likely start, but Larry Thomas is definitely vying for playing time. The fullbacks were also a substantial part to what 'success' the running game had last year, and a key factor to that was junior Bobby Weakley. Weakley finished the season with 12 carries for 48 yards and one touchdown, while also catching four passes for 38 yards. Weakley is also a great blocker that is used to help create holes for the runningbacks. Cole Mason provided a great deal of excitment to the running game, as well. Mason had 136 yards and four touchdowns, providing depth to the fullback position.

The Offensive Line: A wealth of talent and experience makes up a solid Golden Eagle offensive line, with four returning starters and two Pre-Season All-American players. Senior right guard George Batiste and senior left guard Travis Cooley (both picked as Pre-Season All-Americans), make up one of the most impenetrable offensive lines in C-USA. Senior Robbie D'Angelo and junior Chris Clark make up the other portion of the O-line. Ryan McKee, Jonathan Landor, Wesley Housley, and Jacquine Wrice add depth to an already deep position, making this year's offensive line one of the best in the NCAA. The O-line should also provide much-needed protection to Jeremy Young, who will have plenty of time to throw the ball behind these 'Hog Mollies.'

2006 Southern Miss Defense:

Southern Miss defense has always been at the upper echelon of -not only C-USA- but the nation. The last four C-USA Defensive Players of the Year have come from USM, as well has many All-Conference USA and All-American players. Second year defensive coordinator Jay Hopson has tried to restore the "Nasty Bunch" of old, but that was marred by the defense's numbers as a whole. The 'D' played sketchy at times, and brilliant at others, so Hopson has set out to even out the scale and limit the inconsistencies the defense has shown. If the defensive line produces, and linebackers stay healthy, we could be hearing the infamous cheer ring throughout The Rock now more than ever... "Nasty Bunch, Nasty Bunch, NAAAAAASTY BUNCH!"

The Defensive Line: The area in need of most improvment on the defensive side of the ball is the defensive line. Losing All-Conference USA tackle Tom Johnson and starters Akeem Lockett and Terrance Ford hurts, but red-shirt freshman Mam Nyang, Robert Henderson, and Ken Griffith will all succeed as replacements. Senior Matthew Chatelain will return as a D-line starter for his final season, moving to bandit end to replace Lockett. Chatelain is a very physical bandit that is able to break through offensive lines to get to quarterbacks. Nyang is also poised to have a solid break-out year. Look for him to really put pressure on quarterbacks and record sacks throughout the season. The defensive line loses a couple of playmakers, but the new D-line is heralded to do great things in 2006.

The Linebackers: The linebacking position has always been a strong point for Southern Miss. As I said earlier, the past four C-USA Defensive Players of the Year were from USM, and all four were linebackers. With Kevis Coley graduated, Southern Miss will once again look for a new playmaker on the defensive side of the ball. Look for Gerald McRath, who played in the game against Alabama before breaking his leg and missing the remainder of the season, to be that new playmaker. McRath finished the game against the Crimson Tide with five tackles (four solo), a 32 yard interception return for a touchdown, and a forced fumble. Also competing for a starting slot at linebacker will be highly touted JUCO transfer Marcus Raines and red-shirt sophomore Mitch Craft, who was originally recruited as a quarterback. Raines earned all-conference honors at Pasedena Junior College in California, leading the team in sacks and hurries. He will probably take the starting role above Craft because of Craft's recent incident with law, in which he broke a car and apartment window with former Southern Miss wide receiver Antwon Courington. Tokumbo Abinikanda, who received an ample amount of playing time last season, will lead this defensive unit. Tumbo is a great player that will undoubtedly earn a starting slot out a very deep linebacking corp. James Henley and Wayne Hardy will also be battle for playing time, making the this position one of the deepest on the team.

The Defensive Backs: The defensive backs will undergo changes, as John Eubanks and Trevis Coley have graduated and gone to the NFL. With the loss of that talent, some would say the defensive backs at Southern Miss have taken a hit. Not true. Caleb Hendrix is healthy and will become the unit's leader. Hendrix fought a hamstring injury all of last season, but returns this year ready to go. He finished the season with 21 tackles (15 solo), two fumble recoveries, and an interception. Also to start at cornerback is experienced senior Jasper Faulk, who finished the season with 40 tackles (27 solo), two interceptions, two sacks, a fumble recovery, and 7.5 tackles for a loss. He will also lead the team. LeVance Richmond, who is slated to start as free safety, came to USM as a highly touted JUCO transfer from Pearl River Community College. Richmond was a JUCO All-American, leading the nation with 13 interceptions. He has an exceptional ability to read quarterbacks and is going to aid in the loss of Trevis Coley. Brandon Sumrall, the team's playmaker last season, will return again to take the position of strong safety. Sumrall had 88 tackles last season, leading the team. He also recorded a sack, 1.5 tackles for a loss, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, and a team-high four interceptions. Add in the depth at both the free safety, strong safety, and cornerback positions, and this is a very solid unit.

2006 Southern Miss Special Teams:

All-American Darren McCaleb is back for his senior season, and is poised to do great things this year. McCaleb became Southern Miss's all-time scoring leader in the game against UAB last season, and is ready to compete as the nation's top kicker. He has been picked to the Lou Groza Award Watch List two times in a row, and is vying for a third time in 2006. Britt Barefoot will replace Luke Johnson as the team's new punter, and is definitely up to the challenge. Barefoot wasn't great at the Spring Game, but has improved and will become a solid punter. Jasper Faulk and newcomer Torris Magee will most likely return kick-offs and punts, and the two will combine for some dazzling plays in 2006. The special teams unit at Southern Miss is always good, and I expect it to be better than ever this season.

Bottom Line: With a tough schedule, Southern Miss will have to play smart and hard to win. Mental errors and stupid penalties must be eliminated, and everyone is going to have to gel if they want to succeed. Barring injury, I see this season's Southern Miss team heading for another winning season and bowl appearance. It's going to be tough, but Jeff Bower will have his team ready.

Prediction: 9-3 (7-1)

Nelson Named To Mackey Award Watch List

2006-07-26T19:49:00.000-07:00

Freshman All-American Shawn Nelson was named to the Mackey Award Watch List

Southern Miss receives more pre-season praise as tight end Shawn Nelson was named to the 2006 Mackey Award Watch List.

Story here

Gulf Coast Beach Bash

2006-07-26T19:41:00.000-07:00

It's almost here. Football season is fast approaching, and tomorrow, Golden Eagle fans on the Coast can get ready for the upcoming season by attending the Gulf Coast Beach Bash held at the Imperial Palace in Biloxi. Join head football coach Jeff Bower, baseball coach Corky Palmer, basketball coach Larry Eustachy, women's basketball coach Joye Lee-McNelis, Seymour, the cheerleaders, and stand-out Golden Eagle football players as Southern Miss kicks off the 2006-2007 athletic season. The social will start at 5:00 followed by a dinner at 6:00. Hope to see you there!

2006 Pre-Season C-USA Coaches Poll

2006-07-25T14:43:00.001-07:00

Southern Miss kicker Darren McCaleb, USM's all-time points scored leader, earned the coaches' C-USA Pre-Season Special Teams Player of the Year honors

I've been on hiatus since early July. I've had a good summer, and my birthday, family, and a church mission trip have hindered me from writing on Ruffled Feathers for quite some time now. But in that span of time, almost nothing has happened! The coaches of C-USA, however, came up with their annual pre-season poll, which consists of standings, All-Conference USA predictions, and Players of the Year. Needless to say Southern Miss landed quite a few players on this list, with Darren McCaleb taking home the Special Teams Pre-Season Player of the Year honors. Football still isn't here, but predictions are aplenty, and without further adeu, here is the coaches' 2006 C-USA Pre-Season Coaches Poll:

2006 C-USA Coaches Pre-Season Poll

East:

1. UCF 65
2. Southern Miss 52
3. Memphis 43
4. Marshall 35
5. UAB 28
6. East Carolina 25

West:

1. Tulsa 61
2. UTEP 60
3. Houston 55
4. SMU 39
5. Tulane 20
6. Rice 17

Offensive Player of the Year:

Kevin Kolb, QB, Houston (254-420, 3,258 yards, 19 TDs)

Defensive Player of the Year:

Larry McSwain, DE, UAB (53 tackles, 5 TFLs, 4 sacks)

Special Teams Player of the Year:

Darren McCaleb, K, Southern Miss (23-28 FGs, 107 points)

First Team Offense:

QB Kevin Kolb, Sr., Houston
RB Ahmad Bradshaw, Jr., Marshall
RB Kevin Smith, So., UCF
OL George Batiste, Sr., Southern Miss
OL Travis Cooley, Sr., Southern Miss
OL Cedric Gagne-Marcoux, Sr., UCF
OL Eric Graham, Sr., East Carolina
OL Jeff Perrett, Sr., Tulsa
OL Julius Wilson, Sr., UAB
WR Aundrae Allison, Sr., East Carolina
WR Johnnie Lee Higgins, Sr., UTEP
WR Vincent Marshall, Sr., Houston
TE Shawn Nelson, So., Southern Miss

First Team Defense:

DL Antonio Harris, Jr., Tulane
DL Larry McSwain, Sr., UAB
DL Alex Obomese, Sr., UTEP
DL Zach West, Sr., UTEP
LB Nick Bunting, Sr., Tulsa
LB Nelson Coleman, Sr., Tulsa
LB Orlandus King, Sr., UAB
DB Bobby Blackshire, Sr., Tulsa
DB Joe Burnett, So., UCF
DB Caleb Hendrix, Sr., Southern Miss
DB Wesley Smith, Sr., Memphis

First Team Special Teams:

K Darren McCaleb, Sr., Southern Miss
P Michael Gibson, Sr., Memphis
KR Jessie Henderson, So., SMU
PR Joe Burnett, So., UCF

Pre-Season Analysis

2006-07-02T18:36:00.000-07:00

I'm getting anxious. College football is getting closer, but it's still too far away for my liking. I'm biting my nails and pulling out my hair waiting for the coveted day when Southern Miss travels to The Swamp to take on the Gators of Florida, but until then, I have written a complete pre-season analysis, including my Pre-Season Top 25, C-USA predictions, conference bowl layout, and 2006 All-American team. I am definitely ready for some football!

My Top 25 Pre-Season Poll:

1. Ohio State
2. Oklahoma
3. Notre Dame
4. Texas
5. USC
6. Auburn
7. Florida State
8. West Virginia
9. Miami
10. Michigan
11. Florida
12. LSU
13. Georgia
14. Louisville
15. Clemson
16. Iowa
17. Tennessee
18. Virginia Tech
19. Oregon
20. Clemson
21. Nebraska
22. Arizona State
23. UTEP
24. TCU
25. Boise State

My BCS Predictions:

National Championship: Oklahoma vs. Ohio State

Fiesta Bowl: Notre Dame vs. USC

Sugar Bowl: Miami vs. Auburn

Orange Bowl: Florida State vs. Texas

Rose Bowl: West Virginia vs. Michigan

My Conference USA Predictions:

C-USA East:

1. Southern Miss
2. Central Florida
3. Memphis
4. East Carolina
5. Marshall
6. UAB

C-USA West:

1. UTEP
2. Tulsa
3. Houston
4. SMU
5. Tulane
6. Rice

My Conference USA Bowl Predictions:

C-USA:

Liberty: UTEP
Birmingham Bowl: Southern Miss
GMAC Bowl: Central Florida
Houston Bowl: Tulsa
Ft. Worth Bowl: UTEP
Hawai'i Bowl: Houston
New Orleans Bowl: Memphis

My All-American Team:

Offense:

QB Brady Quinn (Notre Dame)
RB Adrian Peterson (Oklahoma)
RB Micahel Bush (Louisville)
WR Ted Ginn Jr. (Ohio State)
WR Calvin Johnson (Georgia Tech)
TE Greg Olsen (Miami)
C Kyle Young (Fresno State)
G Will Arnold (LSU)
G Mike Jones (Iowa)
T Justin Blalock (Texas)
T Levi Brown (Penn State)
K Mason Crosby (Colorado)
KR Darrell Blackman (N.C. State)

Defense:

DE Lawrence Jackson (USC)
DT Frank Okam (Texas)
DT Quinn Pitcock (Ohio State)
DE Lawrence Jackson (USC)
OLB Paul Posluszny (Penn State)
OLB Rufus Alexander (Oklahoma)
ILB Anthony Waters (Clemson)
ILB Patrick Willis (Ole Miss)
CB Antoine Cason (Arizona)
CB Leon Hall (Michigan)
SS Brandon Meriweather (Miami)
FS Michael Griffin (Texas)
P Mike Hughes (San Diego State)
PR Ted Ginn Jr. (Ohio State)

Toughest C-USA Stadiums: Part One

2006-06-30T07:55:00.000-07:00

What's better than sitting inside your favorite college football stadium on a crisp, autumn afteroon; balancing a hot dog, a Coke, the official team program, and an authentic stuffed animal mascot in your hands while finding the perfect seat. It doesn't get better than college football cathedrals, and it is time to rank all twelve C-USA college football stadiums, from rauciously rowdy to dissapointingly dull. Here it is folks, my Top Six Toughest C-USA Football Stadiums:

1. Sun Bowl (50,200) Lying deep in the mountains of El Paso, Texas, the Sun Bowl provides a very beautiful scene from the outside, but a loud and tough atmosphere to play in on the inside. Over 50,000 Miner fans pack into the Sun Bowl each season to watch UTEP play. And if the raucious Miner fans or Texas heat does not get you, the student section will.

2. Liberty Bowl (62,380) The Liberty Bowl, which is played in more times in December by Southern Miss than Memphis, is home to one of the loudest stadiums in C-USA. If the Tigers are winning, the fans are screaming. The Golden Eagles have not won a game in the Liberty Bowl in this Century (dating back to 2000), as Tiger fans make it one of the toughest venues to play at in the conference.

3. M.M. Roberts Stadium (33,000) Don't let the size of this stadium fool you. 'The Rock', as it is more formally known by Golden Eagle faithful, is built at a slant, making it VERY loud. Ask Cal quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who lost his voice after a game against USM in 2004. "It was so loud in there I couldn't even call the audibles. Only 27,000 people but it sounded like 80,000." How's that for tough?

4. Joan C. Edwards Stadium (38,019) Marshall boasts a VERY impressive 105-10 record at home since 1991, and playing at 'The Joan' is something teams do not look forward to. A sea of green covers Joan C. Edwards stadium as the chant of "We Are... MARSHALL" echoes throughout Huntington. A very intimidating place to play, if you aren't careful.

5. Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium (48,000) Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium was a much more intimidating place when East Carolina was winning back in the late 1990's, but it has now somewhat fallen from it's once dominant atmoshpere. Sure, the loyal Pirate fans show up in droves, and they are loud at times, but it seems Dowdy-Ficklen has lost some of its splendor due to some very bad East Carolina teams. Maybe James Pinkney and a mature ECU team can change that.

6. Legion Field (71,954) Don't let the size of this stadium fool you. The Blazers do not come close to filling up Legion Field, but it can still be a very loud place when even half-way full. UAB is doing a good job in supporting a football team that just started up in the 2000's, and Legion Field can be intimidating when packed with green and gold. Southern Miss usually draws a crowd in the 40K range when visiting Birmingham, but other games may be sparsley attended.

Toughest C-USA Stadiums: Part Two

2006-06-28T19:17:00.000-07:00

You've seen the six toughest stadiums in C-USA, from UTEP to UAB, and now it's time to round out the other half of the conference. Here is the Bottom Six Toughest Stadiums In C-USA:

7. Citrus Bowl (65,438) A record crowd of over 50,000 fans packed into the Citrus Bowl to watch UCF play Tulsa in the inaugural C-USA Championship Game (above), and if the Knights continue to win, fans will continue to come. The Citrus Bowl can be a very tough venue to play at, but Central Florida must continue to win to keep up the intimidation factor in the stadium. When UCF was losing, the fans were sparse and low-key. Last season, when the Golden Knights put up W's on the board, people came out to support Central Florida.

8. Skelly Stadium (40,385) Nothing really intimidating about this stadium except for the fact that it can be loud when full. Luckily for opposing fans, that isn't always the case, but expect for that to happen very soon because of Tulsa's recent success in C-USA. If Golden Hurricane fans can fill up Skelly Stadium, it could be intimidating, but for now, it is #8.

9. Gerald J. Ford Stadium (32,000) See Skelly Stadium except for the whole 'conference success' thing.

10. Louisiana Superdome (76, 791) The Superdome is more famous for hosting the infamous New Orleans Saints than Tulane's football team, and is way more intimidating Sunday afternoon than Saturday night. Tulane fans used make the Superdome very intimidating in the late 1990's, but have since failed like TU's latest football seasons.

11. Robertson Stadium (33,000) Robertson Stadium is very unintimidating, as the Cougars of Houston only average about 16,000 fans per game. A Texas high school game probablly has more in attendance, but Robertson Stadium does look like a Texas-sized high school facility. No bash on Houston, just not a very tough stadium to play in.

12. Rice Stadium (72,000) And finally (drum roll please), your least intimidating stadium in C-USA is....... Rice Stadium. One of the biggest in the conference, Rice Stadium is more known for holding President Kennedy's famous 'Moon Speech' than any Rice football game. Only about 10,000 geeky Dean's List fans and alumni show up to cheer on the Owls, but not before Jeapordy and a pre-game spelling bee, err, tailgate.

The Death Of A Champion

2006-06-27T15:16:00.000-07:00

Ben 'Go Go' Garry is still the all-time career rushing leader at Southern Miss

I still remember hearing stories my dad told me about Ben Garry. The way he ran into linebackers, tempting them to hit him and knock the ball out of his hands. In a game in 1976, Garry ran around the right side of the field, only to be nailed so hard his helmet flew off of his head. The player that hit Garry lay motionless on the field, while #29 ran into the endzone for the score. And who could forget the five yard knee he took against Ole Miss - showing a touch of class to UM the Rebels could never quite achieve.

Ben 'Go Go' Garry, touted as "the most prolific runningback in Southern Miss history" by southernmiss.com, was killed in an automobile accident today at the age of 50. A native of Hazlehurst, Garry played high school football at Pascagoula High before arriving at Southern Miss in 1975, where he would go on to rush for 3, 595 yards between '75-1977, holding the all-time record for career rushing yards at Southern Miss. In his last season with the Golden Eagles, Garry was named Honorable Mention All-American and was selected as a First Team All-South Independent. He also led USM to upsets over Auburn and Ole Miss, capping a season in which he rushed for over 1,000 yards for a third consecutive year. Garry was inducted into the M-Club Sports Hall of Fame in 1998.

"He was one of my all-time favorites", said Bobby Collins, Garry's coach for all three seasons at USM. "You could always depend on him - he worked really hard and was a real team player."

Ben 'Go Go' Garry was relentless in running right through tacklers, bouncing and knocking his way into the endzone at all costs. Garry sacrificed himself for his team, which is why he was a favorite among teammates. Jeff Bower, Garry's quarterback for the 1975 season, said he was "a heck of a player." "He was very talented - no ego", Bower said. "I don't think he realized how good he was." Indeed, Garry was not only a heck of a player, but a heck of a person. My thoughts and prayers are with the man that was so instrumental in the rise of Southern Miss. Mr. Garry will be truly missed.

R.I.P. Ben Garry

McCaleb, Nelson Tabbed Pre-Season All-Americans

2006-06-27T12:47:00.000-07:00

Shawn Nelson, the 2005 New Orleans Bowl MVP, had arguablly the best season as a tight end in Southern Miss school history.

In the long summer days before we are able to enjoy crisp, autumn afternoons in college football stadiums around the nation, Southern Miss place kicker Darren McCaleb and tight end Shawn Nelson were tabbed Pre-Season All-Americans by Street's and Smith's, today. This marks the first time this season either was selected as a Pre-Season All-American, although both were picked as All-Conference USA players twice.

Despite many's unknowing, domestic assailant Darren McCaleb is not just good at kicking around his girlfriend. The most prolific place kicker in Southern Miss history set USM's all-time record for points scored (255), field goals kicked (23), most extra points in a season (38), and most kicking points acquired in a season (107). He also holds the school's record of field goals (53) and extra points (96). Maybe the most notable player on Jeff Bower's squad, McCaleb was arrested last season after a game against McNeese State for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend at a party inside a frat house. If McCaleb lives up to his billing as an All-American in 2006, he may get invited to even more 'tubular' parties this fall. (In all honesty, I like Darren. I just couldn't resist the inconsequential cheap shot).

2005 New Orleans Bowl MVP Shawn Nelson had arguablly one of the best seasons as a tight end in Southern Miss Golden Eagle history. Nelson was named a Freshman All-American and was selected as a third team All-Conference USA member last season. He was also a Freshman All-Conference USA player. Nelson attoned for much of Southern Miss's offense in 2005, leading the team in catches at 35 for 540 yards, averaging 15.4 yards a catch. After scoring two touchdowns for 121 in the New Orleans Bowl, Nelson was named MVP.

Both McCaleb and Nelson were named to C-USA's Pre-Season list, along with teammates George Batiste and Travis Cooley. The Golden Eagles will start the season in 67 days, 2 hours, and 20 minutes (but who's counting?) in The Swamp against Florida.

OSU Wins Two In A Row, Takes Title

2006-06-27T12:35:00.000-07:00

Oregon State celebrates after winning its first ever NCAA Baseball Championship

My initial prediction was wrong, as Oregon State took two from North Carolina to win its first ever NCAA Baseball National Championship. Congratulations to the Beavers!

UNC Edges Past Oregon State In Nail Biter

2006-06-25T11:56:00.000-07:00

North Carolina used a strong performance by Andrew Miller along with a good bullpen showing to take Game One from Oregon State, 1-0 in the College World Series. Game Two is tonight at 6:00 p.m.

Let's Talk Baseball

2006-06-24T12:57:00.001-07:00

Andrew Miller seeks his 14th win of the year tonight against
a very solid Oregon State lineup at the College World Series Finals

I know a good portion of this blog is dedicated to the wonderful world of college football, and with the season a mere 70 days, 1 hour, and 55 minutes away, who could blame me? But in the time between college football seasons, a college baseball National Championship is to be played for in the sacred and historical venue of Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, Nebraska. Tonight, a solid North Carolina team and surprising Oregon State ball club will square off to battle for college baseball's biggest prize. The Tar Heels (55-13), winners of their last eight games in Omaha, look to continue that amazing streak tonight against a red-hot Oregon State team (48-15) also riding an impressive four game streak in the College World Series. First round draft pick Andrew Miller (13-2) will take the mound for UNC, while the Beavers will counter with junior Dallas Buck, who shares the same record as Miller.

Both teams have also had their respective runs in the tournament, with the 'Heels sweeping their side of the bracket to cruise to a berth in the final round, while the Beavers had to 'scratch and claw' their way into the Finals after being drubbed by Miami in the opening round. Oregon State then went on to beat Georgia, Miami, and #2 Rice TWICE to advance to OSU's first ever College World Series Championship. It seems as though the Beavers' bats have gotten hot at just the right time, but a very deep North Carolina bullpen looks to stone OSU tonight. UNC's impressive bullpen has combined for 8 2/3 innings of scoreless baseball, which is just what the doctor ordered against an impressive Oregon State offense led by first baseman Bill Rowe. It's going to be an exciting night in Omaha, where two college baseball powerhouses square off in a battle for the National Championship. It doesn't help that North Carolina has the babiest blue uniforms this side of the Missisippi, which is in-part why I am picking the 'Heels to win in three games. Enjoy some quality baseball tonight on ESPN, where no salary debates, steroid issues, and major league egos get in the way of some very good ball playing.

Southern Miss Positional Rankings

2006-06-23T17:07:00.000-07:00

Jeremy Young had a solid Spring Game, but will
he be the next one to lead Southern Miss to a C-USA Championship

I like to rank things. Be it the Top 10 Restaurants In South Mississippi to the Top 25 Reasons Why College Football Should Be Considered A Religion, I love to put things in order of how they stand. So before I come up with Ruffled Feather's first annual Southern Miss Preview, I have compiled a ranking of how I believe each individual position at Southern Miss is going to fare this football season. From the 'pretty boy' wide receivers to the 'big nasties', this is how each position at USM is going to thrive or flop in 2006:

1. Receivers - Possibly the most talented group of wide receivers since the Sherrod Gideon/Todd Pinkston days. Anthony Perine, Josh Barnes, Damion Carter, Chris Johnson, and Joe Singleton will all provide solid hands to whoever holds the reigns to the offense in 2006. And let's not forget Frehsman All-American tight end Shawn Nelson, who had a spectacular New Orleans Bowl performance and led Southern Miss in catches last season.

2. Offensive Line - Pre-Season All-American Robbie D'Angelo will head one of the best USM offensive lines in Golden Eagle history. Flanked by All-CUSA and Pre-Season All-American George Batiste and experienced veteran Travis Cooley, Southern Miss's offensive line will provide protection for Jeremy Young/Stephen Reaves and create holes for the runningbacks to charge through in 2006. A key factor in why the running game did not work last season was the offensive line's inability to create holes, but I believe this batch of 'big nasties' will help out the tailbacks on every play.

3. Special Teams - Darren McCaleb is one of the best place kickers in the NCAA, and will continue to build on his all-time scoring record at Southern Miss. Look for McCaleb to compete for the Lou Groza award in 2006. Britt Barefoot thoroughly unimpressed me at the Spring Game, but Barefoot (what a clever last name for a kicker!) will have to fill in the big shoes of graduated punter, spiritual guru, and all-around great guy Luke Johnson.

4. Linebackers - Tokumbo Abinikanda (say that five times fast!) and Gerald McGrath will lead a linebacking corp sans Kevis Coley. McGrath will finally be healthy, and could step it up as Southern Miss's great linebacker for 2006. Transfer Marcus 'Domestic Mad Man' Raines will most likely patrol the middle linebacking position, and if he nails quarterbacks like he nails civilians, look for him to be a 'shoe-in' for an All-CUSA slot.

5. Defensive Lineman - Pre-Season C-USA Newcomer of the Year and JUCO All-American Sean Merrill looks to be the focal point of a rebuilding offensive line. The loss of Tom Johnson hurts, but Matthew Chatelain will provide depth the line has lacked in previous years. Look for Mam Nyang to be a 'diamond in the rough' type player.

6. Defensive Backs - No more John Eubanks (not that that's an all bad thing) and Trevis Coley will substantially hurt the Golden Eagles at the defensive backs position, but Brandon Sumrall and Jasper "Friggin'" Faulk could provide a better tandem than that of 'Johnny Rocket' and Coley. This is one of USM's youngest positions, as red-shirt sophomore Cornelius McGee and highly touted JUCO transfer LeVance Richmond all look to battle for playing time. If Caleb Hendrix's hamstring has fully healed, this position may have taken a step up from 2005.

7. Backs - Despite a magnificent New Orleans Bowl performance, Cody Hull was anything less than dissapointing last season, and despite three 100-yard games, as was Larry Thomas. Thomas is a very versatile back, that has the ability to catch passes and block, but does not run between the tackles well. He leaves that to Hull, who does not have blazing speed, but is able to find holes and break open runs. Fullbacks Cole Mason and Bobby Weakley are two backs that will really help the Golden Eagles punch in balls from the red zone, and will help Southern Miss when a touchdown near the goal line is needed. Hopefully the L-Train will feel the pressure of playing time being cut short, and will run better than he did last season.

8. Quarterback - AAAAHHHH! The quarterbacking position scares me the most, because both competing starters have had minimal playing time at their respective schools. Red-shirt junior Jeremy Young looks to have gained the starting spot through the Spring Game, but Michigan State transfer Stephen Reaves is hot on his tail. The job is Young's to lose, but if Reaves has recovered from a knee injury suffered in practice, look for him to sneak up and steal the starting spot from Jeremy Young before the September opener at Florida.

Well there you have it. From the wide receivers all the way down to the shaky quarterback roll, this is how good/bad Southern Miss will be come September 2nd. It's going to be a fun college football year, boys and girls. ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?

The Sole Reason Why You Should Keep Your School Away From Nike

2006-06-23T16:47:00.000-07:00

They're at it again. Just when you think Oregon's uniforms could get no worse, Nike steps in to make that 'dream' possible. Now, when the Ducks hit the field this fall, they will have four jerseys, three helmets, and two cleets to chose from in the locker room (All of which are uglier than Rosie O' Donnell in a two piece). The lime and forest green colors of the 'Quackers' were never favorites of mine (or anybody else, for that matter), but now Oregon has even reprised diamondplates- usually seen on Ford F-150's -onto their pants and sleeves. The uniforms, designed by Oregon officials and Nike, were said to have helped interest recruits - if recurits are into roller derby-esque uniforms with a burlesque twist. The numbers are even screwed up, looking like they were done by a kindergarden contest winner. I feel sorry for the fans who buy these terrible jerseys and prance around Eugene as supporters of the ugliest uniforms in college football. If it wasn't for Nike pumping millions of dollars into the school's facilities, I would have roundhouse kicked the designer of these hideous creations so hard, Chuck Norris would have stood in awe. The only way these could suck any worse was if a gigantic, crayola version of 'OREGON' was striped across the side of the pant leg. Oh wait...

2006 Southern Miss Football Schedule

2006-06-22T21:05:00.000-07:00

After a riveting New Orleans Bowl performance, runningback
Cody Hull looks to provide a spark to USM's complacent running game

Football season is coming our way, and with only 71 days, 17 hours, and 55 minutes until Southern Miss kicks off against Florida on September 2nd (but hey, who's counting?), I've taken an in-depth look at the tough schedule ahead of the Golden Eagles. Playing their season opener against 'The Boys From Florida' is already a daunting task, not to mention a trip to Blacksburg to face Virginia Tech, Tulsa to take on the reigning C-USA Champion Golden Hurricane, Orlando to play 2005 C-USA East Champion UCF, and a 'Black and Blue Bowl' date set for Sunday against foe Memphis. Throw in home dates against N.C. State, Houston, East Carolina, Marshall, UAB, and SE Louisiana, and you've got yourself one of the hardest schedules in C-USA. Being as optimistic as possible, here is how I predict the 2006 football season will pan out, sans injuries, transfers, High Hat incidents, and other limiting factors.

2006 Southern Miss Football:

@ Florida (L) - It will be tough playing in The Swamp for opening day with no proven quarterback, and the Gators will expose that for a solid victory. Southern Miss's surprising defense and surging offense will keep it closer than most Florida fans think, but UF will pull out a home victory in front of a very raucious crowd.

SE Louisiana (W) - If we lose this game, I promise to stop blogging on Ruffled Feathers forever. The Rock will be rockin' for Southern Miss's home opener against the Lions, and I look for USM to win BIG. A solid performance by the offense, with Jeremy Young having compiled a game under his belt, will lead the Golden Eagles to victory over Division 1-AA SE Louisiana.

N.C. State (W) - A Wolfpack team that stole a victory from Southern Miss last season in Raleigh will come to Hattiesburg, where I very pissed off group of Eagles will be waiting. USM sparked the start of a great remainder of the season for freshman runningback Andre Brown, but despite his 248 yard performance, the 'Pack could still not blow away Southern Miss. The Golden Eagles will look to gain revenge and beat a solid BCS opponent.

@ Central Florida (W) - Last season's 52-31 rout of the Knights was no fluke, and USM's maturing defense will show Steven Moffet a repeat of last year's barrage in The Rock. UCF is a strong team, returning plenty of starters on both sides of the ball, but I feel a win for the Eagles in a nationally televised Tuesday night game (which I am totally against).

@ Tulsa (L) - Two words: Paul Smith. Despite the loss of All-American tight end Garrett Mills, Paul Smith will lead Tulsa past Southern Miss for a second consecutive year. Steve Kragthorpe is possibly the best game day coach in C-USA, and will be ready to exploit USM's weakness at the defensive back position. The Nasty Bunch will keep it close, but the Golden Hurricane will blow past the Eagles in a home win.

Houston (W) - Kevin Kolb is good, but he ain't that good, and Southern Miss will come out swinging in a Homecoming game against Houston. Don't think Jeff Bower forgot last year's three point loss to the Cougars, and USM will come out in full force against UH. Look for Kolb to feel pressure all night as Southern Miss cruises to a Homecoming victory.

@ Virginia Tech (L) - The loss of Marcus "Thug Nasty" Vick seems to cripple the Hokies, but 'Beamer Ball' will propel Virginia Tech over Southern Miss in Blacksburg. The defense should fair well against a conservative VT offense, but as I said, Beamer will have his famous defense in place, and Jeremy Young and Co. will lose a heartbreaker to the Hokies.

East Carolina (W) - James Pinkney is looking to have a break-out senior season with East Carolina, but the Nasty Bunch will barry him for a win at The Rock. ECU's mediocre defense will allow Young to pick apart the Pirate's secondary, and the defense will hold strong in a key win over East Carolina.

@ Memphis (W) - No DeAngelo Williams = No Problem For Southern Miss, as the Golden Eagles look to beat the Tigers for a 37th time. The Black and Blue Bowl is always a battle 'til the end, and without their only crutch, Memphis will go back to losing to USM.

@ Tulane (W) - The annual Battle for the Bell will be played at the newly revamped Superdome (a.k.a Southern Miss's "Home Away From Home), and Tulane will prove to be no match for a more talented Golden Eagle squad. Without Lester Ricard, who was one of the only bright spots in the Green Wave's dismal 2005 campaign, Tulane should not be a problem for Southern Miss.

UAB (W) - Some things never change.

Marshall (W) - A rivalry could be forming between Marshall and Southern Miss, as a result of USM's OT win in Huntington last season, but 2006 should be a different story. If the Nasty Bunch, who should have found their form by now, bottles up Ahmad Bradshaw, the Eagles could cruise to a victory. If Bradshaw breaks away and runs freely at USM's defensive backs, it could be a long day for Southern Miss. But with an offense that gels and a defense that is as solid as they come in C-USA, USM should win the final game of the season in style.

C-USA Championship vs. UTEP

GMAC Bowl

There you have it, my 2006 Southern Miss football prediction. It may sound optimistic, and it may not, but if Jeremy Young proves himself as a stout quarterback, we may see a once dominant Golden Eagle football team resurge as the new conference model in 2006. ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?

Blogalicious, Baby!

2006-06-22T18:18:00.000-07:00

After posting on several message boards and writing for my high school newspaper, I finally decided to take an even easier route in deriving a blog dedicated entirely to the Southern Miss Golden Eagles (The Harvard of the South). In Ruffled Feathers, I intend to write in-depth and opinionated columns on Southern Miss athletics, sprinkled with humor and sarcasm from your's truly's hard head. This blog is long overdue, but as a firm believer in procrastination, hasn't come about until now.

Football is fast approaching, and Southern Miss is preparing for yet another exciting year on the gridiron of Hattiesburg, Missisippi. Under head coach Jeff Bower, a Southern Miss team slowly slipping into mediocracy valiantly tries to reclaim the position it once held as league bully of C-USA. In the meantime, Larry Eustachy plans on staying sober for another year while trying to rebuild a truly crestfallen Golden Eagle basketball team, as Corky Palmer continues to scratch his head on how a highly touted USM ball club went 1-2 in the Tuscaloosa Regional (with both losses coming at the hands of Troy, who Southern Miss swept earlier in the year). It's been an up and down year for Southern Miss athletics, and I am here to guide you through every second of it. To quote Mitch Hedberg, 'you'll either love me or you'll hate me... or think I'm ok.' Enjoy!