HATTIESBURG, Miss. — Southern Miss football coach Blake Anderson praised his team’s energy after the Golden Eagles’ 12th practice of fall camp on Wednesday morning. The team practiced for more than two hours in hot, summer conditions at the Joe P. Park Practice Facility.
“It was a good recovery from them after some struggles yesterday,” Anderson said. “We challenged them this morning with a ‘Come To Jesus’ meeting. They responded well. Despite the heat and soreness, the energy on both sides was positive, and they responded the right way.”
The team is preparing for its second preseason scrimmage Saturday at 11 a.m. as part of Fan Fest. Anderson said the practice routine this week was designed to mirror a typical game week, with a lighter, walk-through-focused Thursday session emphasizing mental preparation, followed by a more intense, pace-driven Friday practice leading into Saturday’s scrimmage.
“We built this week like a game week for the season,” Anderson explained. “It’s a new approach for most of these guys, even those returning from last year. We adjusted the schedule from what Coach Huff did last year.”
With over 70 new players on the roster, Anderson emphasized the importance of this transition in preparing for the upcoming season. Southern Miss opens its 2026 campaign on Saturday, Sept. 5, at home against Alcorn State at 4 p.m. Tickets for the season opener and remaining home games are available online at SouthernMiss.com/Tickets.
