Southern Miss suspends two players, announce four more off team

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-- Southern Mississippi coach Jeff Bower suspended two players, including star kick returner John Eubanks, dismissed two others and announced Thursday the team's leading rusher and another player have quit the squad.

John Eubanks, who also starts at cornerback, and backup tight end Pedi Causey were suspended for the Sept. 4 season opener against Tulane for violating unspecified team policies .

Eubanks returned a kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown against Houston last season, and he shared the team lead with three interceptions. Defensive back Darrell Bennett and linebacker Kenneth Boley were also dismissed for violating team policies.

Leaving the team were running back Anthony Harris and linebacker Naton Stewart. No explanation was given by Bower.

Harris moved to fullback this season after leading the Golden Eagles in rushing the past two seasons at tailback. He ran for 714 yards and five touchdowns on 175 carries last season.

Boley, the only junior among the six players, is the older brother of former Southern Miss linebacker Michael Boley, the 2004 Conference USA defensive player of the year and a fifth-round draft pick of the Atlanta Falcons.

Bennett was expected to start at free safety after starting at rover last season. Stewart, a backup last season, was expected to start at this year.

 

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current pinnacle season win odds : 12:20 est 07/29

Sat 9/3 Southern Mississippi Regular Season Wins
09:00 AM Over 6.5 wins -160
Under 6.5 wins +150

tough 1st game coming vs tulane...

preview of season to follow before above player announcements.....

 

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Southern Miss isn't used to playing in the New Orleans Bowl. No offense to the first bowl game of the year, but it's not exactly what a program with the success the Golden Eagles have enjoyed will be shooting for. Ever.

With the loss of the league's other big boys (Louisville, TCU and Cincinnati), Southern Miss has to take an all-or-nothing approach to the season with no one in the league quite as intimidating, or with the r?sum?, to earn the preseason favorite tag. However, there are issues that have to be dealt with to get past good teams like UAB, Memphis and UTEP and be at the top of the mountain again.

The defense has to try to get back to its dominant ways after an average 2004. With three new starting linebackers, questions at tackle, and the loss of defensive coordinator Tyrone Nix, that might be a problem early. The offense went through a major shakeup with offensive coordinator Rip Scherer gone and tight ends coach Jay Johnson taking over, but the big question is whether or not there will be any consistency needing quarterback Dustin Almond to last the season and be a steady leader.

This isn't quite the monster Southern Miss team of season's past, but it doesn't have to be. This will be another solid, tough team that will scare the big boys and be the big game for the rest of the Conference USA teams.

The Schedule: No UTEP is a plus and getting Memphis at home helps, but a late three-game road trip could become a killer going to UAB, NC State and Marshall. The opener against Tulane will be a nice test before the chance at national pub with a tough showdown at Alabama. Outside of a road trip to Houston, there's nothing to sweat over from mid-September until late October.

Best Offensive Player: Senior WR Antwon Courington. While he's not the raw talent that some of the other receivers are, he's a big, experienced receiver who should be one of the best in the league. He'll be QB Dustin Almond's favorite target again.

Best Defensive Player: Junior LB Trevis Coley. Combining with brother Kevis in the linebacking corps, the former safety has to prove he can consistently shed blocks and handle the physical aspects of playing on the weakside. He'll do just fine.

Key player to a successful season: Senior OT Neal Mead. The offensive line was solid last year, but it loses three starters including star tackle Jeremy Parquet. The faster Mead becomes a reliable blocker at right tackle, the better. He's the biggest lineman in the mix and he has to play like it.

The season will be a success if ... Southern Miss wins the Conference USA title. You don't have a motto like Anyone, Anywhere, Anytime without thinking you should be conference champions every year. In the diminished new league, anything less than a championship will be a major disappointment.

Key game: Oct. 21 at UAB. The Blazers and Darrell Hackney are one of the few Conference USA teams good enough to beat the Eagles. With no UTEP on the slate, this should be for the title.

 

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offense:

Basically ... There's major turnover in the coaching staff with offensive coordinator Rip Scherer sacked and former running backs coach Jay Johnson taking over. The offense didn't move the ball with any consistency, but it put up points averaging a respectable 26 per game. The running game will be better with Larry Thomas adding more flash, but he'll need to be durable with Anthony Harris leaving the team. Antwon Courington is an All-Conference USA receiver leading a raw corps that needs to make more big plays. The starting five on the line is solid, but there's little depth.

Returning Leaders
Passing: Dustin Almond
138-269, 1,848 yds, 12 TD, 6 INT
Rushing: Larry Thomas
340 yards
Receiving: Antwon Courington
47 catches for 659 yds and 5 TD.

Star of the offense: Senior WR Antwon Courington
Player that has to step up and become a star: Senior OT Neal Mead
Unsung star on the rise: Sophomore RB Larry Thomas
Best pro prospect: Sophomore OT Chris Clark
Top three all-star candidates: 1) Courington, 2) QB Dustin Almond, 3) OG Travis Cooley
Strength of the offense: Running back
Weakness of the offense: Offensive line depth

Quarterbacks
If Dustin Almond can stay healthy for a full season and run with the leadership role, the offense will be solid. There are three interesting options behind him with Jeremy Young, Travis Clark and now-receiver Damion Carter. There's hope for a more explosive attack after finishing tenth in the league in passing, and the talent is there for an improvement.
Player to keep an eye on: Travis Clark, RFr. ... Quarterback Rating: 7

Projected Starter
- Dustin Almond, Sr. - When he's on, he's one of Conference USA's better quarterbacks but when things aren't working, they really aren't working. He has 4,482 career passing yards with 28 touchdown passes and 16 interceptions. He's a mobile runner, but not a major threat. He has to prove he can stay healthy and has to be more consistent as the leader of the offense and the team. He's big, have a good arm and can be a difference maker.

Top Backups
- Jeremy Young, Soph. - At 6-3 and 210 pounds, Young has the size and has the smarts and intangibles to grow into a good player. He struggled as a fill-in for Dustin Almond completing a mere 39% of his passes for 213 yards and no touchdowns with two interceptions, but he's a good runner with 66 yards and a touchdown in his limited time.
- Damion Carter, Jr. - One of the best athletes on the roster, the 6-2 Carter is used as a receiver catching four passes for 56 yards last year and completed 41% of his passes for 115 yards and three touchdowns with an interception. He also ran for 20 yards and a score.
- Travis Clark, RFr. - The talented young passer isn't all that big, but he's a good athlete and a good looking young passer. The coaching staff is high on him as one of the key factors for the future.

Running Backs
Former USM star Derrick Nix will coach his old position and he has talent to work with. Larry Thomas is a burgeoning star who'll come through with a big season if he can handle the full-time workload. Anthony Harris is a great do-it-all back who'll see more than his share of carries despite moving to fullback. There should be a good rotation with several young backs with C.J. Barrows and Cody Hull seeing plenty of time.
Player to keep an eye on: Larry Thomas, Soph. ... Running back rating: 6.5

Projected Starters
- Larry Thomas, Soph. - With Anthony Harris moving to fullback, it'll be up to the speedy sophomore to shine. He averaged 6.9 yards per carry with 340 yards and showed flashes of brilliance highlighted by a 79-yard dash against Cincinnati. He has too much home run potential to keep on the bench.
- Fullback Bobby Weakley, Jr. - The 241-pound junior is a pure fullback and will occasionally line up as the main blocker now that Anthony Harris is off the team. He hasn't been used much as a receiver, but he can catch and is a good short-yardage runner.

Top Backups
- Cody Hull, Soph. - While not the talent Larry Thomas is, Hull is a good all-around back who can block with the power to run between the tackles and the quickness to bounce it to the outside. He ran for 50 yards on 13 carries as a freshman.
- C.J. Barrows, RFr. - A broken finger kept him sidelined last year, but he's back and ready to roll as a big, fast back who'll see more than his share of carries. He might be a year away from being a major factor.
- Anthony Harris, Sr. - The former tailback, and the team's leading rusher last year with 714 yards and five touchdowns, will move to the fullback spot that he played earlier in his career. At 220 pounds, he was a powerful runner with good moves and decent hands as a receiver. Unfortunately, he left the team this summer.

Receivers
There's enough talent returning to hope for a good season with All-Conference USA performer Antwon Courington leading the way. Technically, he's a second stringer according to the depth chart with Anthony Perine and rising star Tavarres Williams looking like good targets for QB Dustin Almond to work with. The tight end situation is a bit iffy needing former defensive lineman Jonathan Palmer to bring his high-energy style to the offense.
Player to keep an eye on: Tavarres Williams, Soph. ... Receiver rating: 6

Projected Starters
- Anthony Perine, Jr. - The speedy Perine became a playmaker over the second half of the season finishing second on the team with 24 catches for 332 yards and a touchdown. He looked great this spring taking to the starting role at split end.
- Tavarres Williams, Soph. - Williams will combine with Antwon Courington at flanker after finishing with 11 catches for 212 yards and two touchdowns averaging 19.2 yards per catch as a freshman. He didn't get any time until midway through the season and turned into a dangerous deep threat.
- Tight end Jonathan Palmer, Jr. - Palmer will get the first shot at the starting job after mostly playing on the defensive line in his USM career. He moved back to tight end last year where he was only used as a blocker, but the 6-3, 248-pound junior has the athleticism to become a receiver. He has a great motor and should be a good factor after a little bit of time.

Top Backups
- Antwon Courington, Sr. - It's not really fair to call Courington a backup after growing into the team's best receiver leading the way with 47 catches for 659 yards and five touchdowns averaging 14 yards per catch. He's a physical 6-2, 209-pound senior who has the experience to be the leader of the corps.
- Damion Carter, Jr. - A backup quarterback last year along with his duties as a receiver, Carter will take over a full-time spot at receiver playing behind Anthony Perine after catching four passes for 56 yards. He has to get better at catching the ball and has to prove he can use his 6-2 size to be a more physical blocker.
- Tight End Shawn Nelson, RFr. - At 6-5 and 225 pounds, Nelson is a big wide receiver playing tight end. He's fast and will be a deep threat, but he has to work on his blocking.

Offensive Line
The line loses three major players in Jeremy Parquet, Chris White and Addaryl Edwards, but the starting five should be fine thanks to a steady rotation last year that got everyone a little bit of time. The problem is in the depth; there isn't any. Actually, there are plenty of bodies, but little experience meaning every practice will be key for the line's overall development. This was a great group in pass protection only allowing 19 sacks, but it has to be better in the running game.
Player to keep an eye on: T Neal Mead, Sr. ... Offensive line rating: 6

Projected Starters
- Tackle Chris Clark, Soph. - Clark was named to the Conference USA All-Freshman team after a good season as a good backup behind Chris White. The 6-4, 280-pound sophomore is a strong athlete who'll be one of the team's better pass blockers.
- Guard Travis Cooley, Jr. - One of two returning starters to the line, the junior has started in 18 games on the right side where he has been fantastic in passing situations and a decent run blocker. Now the 285-pounder has to be a leader and more dominant.
- Center Robby D'Angelo, Jr. - The experienced center split time throughout last year, but he has enough starting experience to be a dependable full-time replacement for Addaryl Edwards. He's not huge at 6-1 and 277 pounds, but he's effective.
- Guard George Batiste, Jr. - The big 6-5, 309-pound junior joins Travis Cooley as the only returning starters on the line holding down the job for the last two years. He has All-Conference potential if he can be a more consistent all-around blocker.
- Tackle Neal Mead, Sr. - At 6-4 and 314 pounds, Mead is the biggest player on the line and has the biggest shoes to fill replacing Jeremy Parquet at right tackle. Mead has been a steady reserve waiting his turn for the chance to start full-time.

Top Backups
- T Joseph Leech, Jr. - While the 301-pound junior doesn't have a whole bunch of experience, he'll need to be a major factor right away behind Neal Mead on the right side. He'll have to hold off several prospects, but he should keep the backup job.
- G Bradley Worthington, Sr. - At 6-4 and 303 pounds, he's one of the team's bigger backups and a key reserve on the right side behind George Batiste.

 

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defense:

Basically ... The defense slipped a bit last year from its normally lofty standards allowing 376 yards and 25 points per game. There are question marks in the front seven needing the tackles to step up their play and three new starters at linebacker to come through right away. Fortunately, the secondary will be rock solid with a pair of All-Conference USA caliber corners in Caleb Hendrix and John Eubanks. Trevis Coley is an all-star defender moving from safety to linebacker.

Returning Leaders
Tackles: Trevis Coley, 104
Sacks: Akeem Lockett, 4
Interceptions: Trevis Coley, 4.

Star of the defense: Junior LB Trevis Coley
Player that has to step up and become a star: Senior NT Tom Johnson
Unsung star on the rise: Senior LB Naton Stewart
Best pro prospect: Senior DE Akeem Lockett
Top three all-star candidates: 1) Trevis Coley, 2) Lockett, 3) CB John Eubanks
Strength of the defense: Cornerback
Weakness of the defense: Starting experience up the middle (tackle, linebacker)

Defensive Line
New line coaches Ron McCrone (ends) and Fred Tate (tackles) are looking to crank up the overall intensity a few notches after a good, but not great season by Southern Miss standards. There are several good options in the middle with Terrance Ford needing to have a consistent and dominant season as the anchor in the middle while Tom Johnson, Ryan Watson and Martavius Prince have to step up and be factors to round out the rotation. Akeem Lockett and Matthew Chatelain will form one of the league's best end pairs.
Player to keep an eye on: DT Martavius Prince, Soph. ... Defensive Line rating: 7

Projected Starters
- DE Matthew Chatelain, Jr. - 22 tackles, 1 sack, 3 tackles for loss ... The former walk-on has grown into a good end who has gotten better and better over the last two years. The 245-pound junior is one of the line's most consistent all-around players.
- NT Tom Johnson, Sr. - 4 tackles ... The 6-3, 277-pound senior saw a little time on the end last year, but he'll move back inside to his more natural tackle spot. He's an active player with enough experience at the JUCO level to handle the full-time starting role.
- DT Terrance Ford, Sr. - 16 tackles, 1 sack, 3 tackles for loss, 1 interception ... The 300-pound Ford started over the first half of last year, got pushed to a reserve role, and then started at the end of the season. He's a big presence in the middle with good athleticism for a player of his size.
- Bandit Akeem Lockett, Sr. - 39 tackles, 4 sacks, 8 tackles for loss ... A steady, consistent pass rusher, the 250-pound senior is a big play defender and showed in the New Orleans Bowl that he'll be one of the defensive leaders this year with a six tackle, two sack game as he was camped out in the North Texas backfield. He'll be a top sacker this year.

Top Backups
- DE Shadler Manning, Jr. - The 251-pound junior is an excellent pass rushing prospect playing behind Matthew Chatelain, but he has to return to 100% after having problems with a foot injury.
- DT Martavius Prince, Soph. - 6 tackles, 1 interception ... A member of the All-Conference USA team, Prince is a rising star in the middle looking to rotate with Terrance Ford at one of the tackles. He's one of the team's bigger tackles at 6-3 and 287 pounds with the potential to get even bigger and better.
- NT Ryan Watson, Soph. - The USC transfer will get every shot at taking over the spot on the nose after sitting out all of last year. He was a high school star who should quickly become a good performer on the inside.

Linebackers
While the cupboard might be bare after losing the 275 tackles, 46 tackles for loss and 15 sacks of Michael Boley, Antoine Cash and Dillon Cleckler, things aren't going to be all that bad with star safety Trevis Coley moving to the weakside and twin brother Kevis Coley taking over the full-time job in the middle. It'll be up to former fullback Wayne Hardy to be a factor as a reserve on the weakside, while Naton Stewart should be a star taking over on the strongside.
Player to keep an eye on: Naton Stewart, Sr. ... Linebacker rating: 6.5

Projected Starters
- Gerald McRath, RFr. - All set to be the next great USM linebacker, the 212-pound McRath missed all of last year with a knee injury and now has an ankle problem. He's expected to be healthy by fall where he'll take over on the strongside with Naton Stewart gone.
- Kevis Coley, Jr. - 55 tackles, 2 sacks, 3 tackles for loss, 3 broken up passes ... The 226-pound junior split time with Dillon Cleckler in the middle and has enough experience to be considered a returning starter finishing sixth on the team in tackles. He has good range and should become one of the team's top tacklers.
- Trevis Coley, Jr. - 104 tackles, 4 interceptions, 6 broken up passes, 2 tackles for loss ... The former safety will move to the weakside linebacker position after earning All-Conference USA honors last season. He's a good tackler who'll need to be more physical against the run, but he should continue to be great in pass coverage.

Top Backups
- Wayne Hardy, Jr. - A fullback last year who ran for 54 yards and four touchdowns, the 223-pound Hardy will move to linebacker using his speed and quickness on the weakside behind Trevis Coley.
- Naton Stewart, Sr. - 13 tackles, 2 sacks, 3 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, 2 broken up passes ... An active player who was the understudy behind Antoine Cash last year, Stewart appeared to be all set to take over the starting strongside job with good size and excellent athleticism. Unfortunately, he left the team this summer.

Defensive Backs
Two starters return to a pass defense that allowed only 201 yards per game, but 19 touchdowns. Star safety Trevis Coley will move to linebacker opening with Brandon Sumrall the newcomer at Rover. Unfortunately, top defender Darrell Bennett was kicked off the team leaving a hole at free safety. The corners should be the best in Conference USA with John Eubanks a rising lockdown superstar and Caleb Hendrix in for a strong year after spending last season learning on the fly.
Player to keep an eye on: Rover Brandon Sumrall, Soph. ... Secondary rating: 8

Projected Starters
- CB Caleb Hendrix, Jr. - 47 tackles, 1 sack, 1 interception, 4 broken up passes ... Hendrix stepped in when Seth Cumbie went down for the year and became a reliable corner on the field side. He's a converted wide receiver who should shine now that he has a year of experience.
- FS LeVance Richmond, Jr. - He isn't big, but he can move. The 5-11, 193-pound junior will take over for big-hitting veteran Darrell Bennett who was kicked off the team.
- Rover Brandon Sumrall, Soph. - 6 tackles ... Sumrall will get the starting nod with Darrell Bennett moving to free safety and Trevis Coley moving to linebacker. While he won't be a weak link, he'll need time to get adjusted to the starting job and has to keep improving.
- CB John Eubanks, Soph. - 47 tackles, 3 interceptions, 9 broken up passes ... One of the nation's best young talents, Eubanks earned All-Conference USA honors as a speedy corner on the boundary with outstanding range and fantastic ball skills. He's also an elite kick returner averaging 29.4 yards on kickoff returns and 7.7 yards on punt returns. He'll be back after getting suspended this summer for a game.

Top Backups
- Rover Jasper Faulk, Soph. - 10 tackles ... The speedy Faulk will battle for both safety jobs and will be a key factor in nickel situations. He'll start out behind Brandon Sumrall at Rover, but that could quickly change.
- CB James Nelson, Soph. - 5 tackles ... Nelson will play behind John Eubanks on the boundary and will be a top special teamer. He needs to get stronger and could use some more time and reps in the secondary, but he should grow into a good player.
- Darrell Bennett, Jr. - 70 tackles, 2 interceptions, 6 broken up passes ... Able to play either safety spot, the 210-pound Bennett was the team's fourth leading tackler on the verge of being an all-star. His big hitting style will be missed after getting kicked off the team.

Special Teams
If John Eubanks can add a little more pop on the punt returns, this will be among the nation's best special teams with Lou Groza Award candidate Darren McCaleb back at kicker and punter Luke Johnson sure to be on the Ray Guy Award short list. Eubanks is a next-level caliber kickoff returner. The coverage units are better than average.
Special Teams rating: 9

- Placekicker Darren McCaleb, Jr. - 16-19 FGs, 27-31 extra points ... One of the nation's best kickers, McCaleb had an amazing season going 15 of 15 on field goals before missing three kicks in the New Orleans Bowl win over North Texas. He doesn't have a huge leg, but he can fire from around 45 yards.
- Punter Luke Johnson, Sr. - Johnson is a big, 6-0, 240-pound senior with a big leg averaging 41.8 yards per kick last year forcing 17 fair catches and putting 16 kicks inside the 20.

 

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further....

With a fresh set of downs?

1st and Ten ? Luckily, They Wear Different Numbers ? Stay with me on this one?during the 1984 Orange Bowl warm ups, a number of Nebraska Cornhuskers switched jerseys, including All-American wide receiver Irving Fryar and the Trophy Mike Rozier. Whether it was an attempt to deceive the Miami Hurricanes or just some collegiate hijinks in their final game, it didn?t phase the Hurricanes. For the sake of those in Conference USA, it?s a good thing that identical twins Trevis and Kevis Coley don?t switch jerseys, because you?d have a hard time figuring out who is who. Both are 6?1? and 225/230 and run like the wind, hit like mad men and are always around the ball. Having grown up in Palatka, Florida, there?s little question that these two can play (as a side note, imagine a Palatka team that had the Coley twins and Charles Sharon from Bowling Green at receiver, among others. Wow). Trevis, who wears #18, has been the more accomplished of the two, earning All-CUSA honors last season at free safety. However, the talk during the spring is whether Coley, uh, Trevis that is, might move to the weakside linebacker position alongside his brother. Oh man, thank god for those numbers. Kevis, who wears #45, will man the middle of the Southern Miss defense, and is coming off of a solid year, in which he registered 55 tackles. However, he won?t have a Michael Boley or an Antoine Cash on either side to take heat off of him in the middle. He might have his brother there, but it remains to be seen whether the Southern Miss defensive staff makes that change. Suppose when a quarterback gets hit now by the two of them, he?ll really be seeing double.
Click to learn more...

2nd and Seven ? Run to Daylight?Someone, Anyone ? Since the end of Derrick Nix?s career, Southern Miss has struggled to find a solid RB to fill his shoes. Nix was one of the Golden Eagle?s best running backs, and if he could?ve stayed healthy, there?s no telling how well he would?ve done. Regardless, it?ll be up to Nix, now the RB coach, to find a capable running threat this season to take some heat off of QB Dustin Almond. Anthony Harris, last year?s leading rusher, is moving to fullback, presumably, to get Larry Thomas on the field for, at least, 15 to 20 carries a game. As a redshirt freshman, Thomas showed the explosiveness that really hasn?t been a consistent staple of this running game. With Harris at FB, the two of them can be used together by new offensive coordinator Jay Johnson in certain packages to maximize the pressure they can put on defenses. Either way, if Thomas can live up to the expectations of his position coach, the running game will be fine and Nix?s shoes will finally be filled.

3rd and Three ? Banking on Eubanks ? Speed, speed and more speed. That?s how you define Southern Miss weapon John Eubanks. He can shut down one side of the field when he plays corner on defense, opposite another All-CUSA candidate Caleb Hendrix, but his best value may be to the special teams where he?s the best return man in CUSA. Someone might be brazen enough to kick him the ball, but that?s all it takes for Eubanks to make him look stupid for testing him.

4th and One ? Upright and Tall ? Each and every week, each of the Southern Miss linemen should have those very words written on their wrists to remind them of what their overriding goal is on every play. ?Upright and tall? is what QB Dustin Almond must be throughout the course of a game. Almond does move better than the stereotypical pocket passer, but when he has the time to stay in the pocket and throw, he?s very good. He?s got speed at WR (Courington, Williams and Perine among others) to take advantage down the field, and if he can get a solid year out of the aforementioned RB duo, the skill positions won?t be a worry at all. Thus, it all comes down to Almond being protected. However, this won?t be the easiest task for the Golden Eagle O Line as they return only two starters this fall. Regardless, keep him upright and tall, boys, and everything will be fine.

 

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2005 Schedule
9/4 Tulane
9/10 at Alabama
9/17 McNeese State
9/24 at Houston
10/1 at East Carolina
10/8 Tulsa
10/15 UCF
10/21 at UAB
10/29 at NC State
11/8 at Marshall
11/19 Memphis

 

[wareagle]

at the cusa media days the coaches and media picked them to finish 1st....fwiw they are the best team in the state of MS and they will fight through these injuries/suspensions