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Southern Miss sports Q&A with USM correspondent Cory Gunkel
Southern Miss Mailbag - 09.07.06
Hold on to your seats, boys and girls, because it's finally here. Despite a week in which I was unable to answer your questions nor write a follow-up of USM's opener, which was much closer than the score indicated, I am finally able to begin the first Golden Eagle mailbag of the year. You write 'em in, I answer them, and we all have a jolly-good time. Let's begin, shall we?
What would be a respectable record for Southern Miss this upcoming season? Would another trip to the New Orleans Bowl be a dissapointment?
Anything but eight wins and Coach Bower's seat should warm considerably. Although young, this Golden Eagle squad has the ability and overall talent to win up to ten games, as Jeremy Young will have a chance to lead Southern Miss to a C-USA Championship in his first ever season as a starter. Young was very poised in the pocket against a solid Florida defense, and was not rattled at all by the crowd or atmosphere. He completed passes, ran the ball well, and despite three interceptions in which two were not his fault, had a good day Saturday night against the best team on the schedule. Freshman sensation Damion Fletcher set a USM record for most rushing yards against the Gators with 89, and was all but flawless in his black and gold debut. His almost 130 all-purpose yards led the team, and Fletch will become a valuable asset to the squad with the sudden departure of Cody Hull. The offensive line played well against UF as well, not giving up a sack while keeping Jeremy Young protected in the pocket, and should put up stellar numbers all year. On the other end of the spectrum, the defensive front, led by senior Matthew Chatelain, pressured All-SEC quarterback Chris Leak throughout the game, and proved to be a bright spot in an otherwise blowout game. If the linebackers, secondary, and wide outs improve, and Coach Bower calls the right plays (wink, wink), we should see a nine to ten win season for the Eagles. To quote the coach, "9-3 just isn't good enough for Southern Miss." Anything less will simply be unacceptable.
If a quarterback steps up for us, how do you see the season going? I, for one, think if one of these guys is able to play well for us, we’ll have a very good year.
Gregg Hess
Hattiesburg, Mississippi
After his start against Florida, I'd bank on Jeremy Young to lead this team to a solid winning record for the 2006 season. Young acted like a fifth-year senior in his starting debut at The Swamp with his decision-making and overall poise, and I was pleasantly surprised at how well he played in such a hostile environment. He has all the intangibles to become a great quarterback, but will have to work to maintain his position, as Michigan State transfer Stephen Reaves will definitely vie for significant playing time this season. If Young does well against N.C. State next week (I'm looking over SE Louisiana because both quarterbacks should play in the Eagles' home opener this Saturday), I would expect Coach Bower to stick with him for the rest of the season, barring injury or another Hi-Hat 2000 incident. Much like another 'Young' quarterback who led his team to a national championship, if Jeremy grows as a player and continues to work hard, this will be his season to shine under the lights of The Rock.
Will Damion Fletcher be the next big runningback at Southern Miss?
Louis Anderson
Natchez, Mississippi
Damion Fletcher was lights-out against a stingy Florida defense, but comparing him to the Sammy Winder's and Derrick Nix's of USM's past is counting your chickens (or in this case, rushers) before they hatch. After his performance in Gainseville, Jeff Bower named Fletch the starter (which is very much unlike the visor-wearing ball coach), further solitifying this sensation's spot as a future household name in Golden Eagle lore. But as Lee Corso so famously says, "Not so fast, my friend." The freshman must prove he is able to compete on a consistent basis before we call him the Sam DeJarnette of 2006. Everyone seemed to be impressed with Fletcher's play in the spring, but nobody had him penciled in as the starter, even after his great performance against UF. I guess that's what hard work and determination will do, as Fletcher will continue to develop and mature under a system he just learned in the spring. I think it's safe to say USM found its diamond in the rough in this gridiron machine, which begs me to ask... How's life on the bench in 'Bama, Terry?
SE Louisiana is no push-over team, as the Lions hung with New Mexico State for three quarters. Is an upset possible or will this be a flashback of McNeese State?
Geoffrey Hammond
Birmingham, Alabama
Geoffrey, I'm sure most SE Louisiana faithful love your thinking, but the Lions won't be playing New Mexico State when the travel to one of the most hostel environments they will play in all year. Granted Southeastern has a blitz package unlike any other team Southern Miss has seen, the Lions play a very spread out offense, and half of USM's ball club is ridden with strep throat, I STILL don't see SE Louisiana pulling off the upset against a very tough football team on the road. Southern Miss is just physically bigger, faster, and stronger than USL, and the so-called 'benchwarmers' should see significant playing time this Saturday. Nothing against the Lions, but USM has more talent and ability than any team SE Louisiana will play sans Texas Tech, and I wouldn't be at all surprised if the Lions hung a goose egg on the scoreboard of M.M. Roberts Stadium on Saturday night.
Will we ever see all-black uniforms at The Rock again?
Me
Sorry, but I love the all-black uniforms, and nobody seems to care by myself. I want to see opposing teams tremble in fear when they see the Eagles run out the tunnel wearing black, a swirl of grey-mist engulfing the team while gold fireworks spark up into the crisp, cool autumn sky. Johnny Cash did it, and Southern Miss should too. "Good guys wear black," said a favorite person of mine, and come this Saturday, I hope I see USM take the field in the best uniforms in college football. Maybe Jeff Bower should even get in on the occasion. "You look like you're going to a funeral." the opposing coach would say, laughing at Jeff Bower's obviously absurd attire. And Jeff, leaning on the goalpost, a small grin surfacing on his face, would ever-so-softly reply... "Maybe I am."
Cory Gunkel is the Southern Miss team correspondent for CUSA-fans.com. You can contact him by clicking here.
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