As the highly anticipated 2020 season prepares to kick off on Thursday, JagsJungle is in full gear to prepare Jaguar enthusiasts for the South Alabama opponent in the first FBS game of the year, South Mississippi.
Drew White of 247 GoldenEaglePride.com analyzes USM by answering questions about the Golden Eagles.
Without delay…..
Southern Miss has had some changes to the assistant coaching ranks this season, but not in the typical way of school coaching changes. In fact, 3 trainees have rejoined the squad, but will lead new positions this season. Former defensive co-coordinator Tim Billings will go on the attack to coach the Tight Ends, former secondary coach Akeem Davis becomes running back coach and Reed Stringer will transition from Tight Ends to Nickles and special teams. Coach Hopson believes the adjustments open up new perspectives in the attacking and defensive venues, with each and every coach moving to the other side of the ball this year. The top two outings were Coach Derek Nicholson (defensive co-coordinator) who went to Louisville and Buster Falkner (co-offensive coordinator) who joined the Georgia staff. Coach Hopson brought back defensive coordinator Tony Pecoraro, who has worked with Hopson for two years when he first came to Southern Miss, and he, Hopson’s coordinator at Alcorn St. Coach Pec knows many players who helped recruit while you were here. forward, and brings a defense of offensive taste that likes to combine tapas and pressure. On the offensive side of the ball, Hopson brought in Matt Kubik from Louisiana Monroe. As Kubik will continue to run the spread offense, this is more of a running, inner zone formula that will seek to accommodate more downhill runners for Southern Miss.
If ever a spring season had been valuable to the Golden Eagles, this could be it. Losing the spring for Covid means multiple query brands with so many new faces in any of the intensities. The good news is that there is a lot of skill in the newcomer that deserved a nod at first. One force that emerges without delay is superior control on the offensive. Two-year-old quarterback starter Jack Abraham returns, and he has so much joy on the offensive line that he appears to be a force. Reverse intensity is also a strength with 4 guys hoping to save playing time from Don Ragsdale, Frank Gore Jr., Kevin Perkins and sprinter Dee Baker. Defensively, this is where there are more queries than answers, and we are temporarily going to know if the new guys at JuCo are willing to bet on the next point or not. Five JuCo transfers are indexed in the first team. The Eagles deserve to be forged into safety with the return of the convention to elect Ky’el Hemby and the athletic Malik Shorts rebound from the game a year ago. While the defense isn’t that great up front, they are quick on the top seven and deserve to be able to interrupt the passing game. However, a downhill racing team can be disruptive, as the intensity is low with transfers.
There’s a lot of respect for the South Alabama program at Southern Miss. Fans would like it to become a game of rivalry, with the proximity and constant recruitment battles between the two. Baseball is already played every year, and basketball has been played several times in recent history and has become a laugh for enthusiasts. It’s a wonderful game for Southern Miss because they need to maintain that recruiting merit and see South Alabama as a primary risk with their beautiful football amenities and a successful coach with Steve Campbell. Both enthusiasts are satisfied with the game and would like it to become a fixed element in the calendar in the coming years and the rivalry begins to take shape between the two programs.
Thursday’s game will begin at 8pm CST and will be broadcast on the CBS Sports Network.
Special offer
50% discount on the annual VIP for the first year
50% off Annual VIP Pass