USM's QB Young recovering from injury; Reaves to start Wednesday

[IE]

? Southern Miss quarterback Jeremy Young said tonight that ?you might just see me against Rice,? even though the Golden Eagles are planning to give fellow senior Stephen Reaves his first career start at USM Wednesday night against the Owls.

Young, who has started 18 consecutive games for the Golden Eagles, suffered a high sprain to his right ankle in USM?s 38-16 loss at Boise State Thursday.

Young was off crutches and at USM?s practice tonight, though he was noticeably limping. Reaves and back-up Martevious Young took the snaps during team drills, but Young threw some early in practice.

?It?s too early for me to tell, but I will say this: We?re much more optimistic about his health that we originally thought,? USM offensive coordinator Jay Johnson said. ?I was concerned that it would be a long, long time, but I was shocked that he was even out there today trying to move around a little bit.?

Johnson said Reaves would be the starter this week.

?Oh yeah, no doubt,? Johnson said. ?Right now, that?s what we?re looking to do.?

n USM coach Jeff Bower said that junior Calvin Wilson will make his first career start at left tackle against Rice, with senior Chris Clark moving from tackle to left guard in place of junior Wesley Housley.

Clark had made 26 consecutive starts at left tackle for USM, but Bower said Wilson is much more effective at tackle, and that Clark was more than capable of playing guard.

 

[IE]

USM makes changes on O-line


Mississippi State transfer Calvin Wilson has earned his chance to start for Southern Miss for the first time. The 6-foot-6, 352-pound redshirt sophomore will line up at left tackle when the Golden Eagles host Rice at 6 p.m. Wednesday.

Senior Chris Clark will slide to left guard and junior Wesley Housley will run with the second unit.



"Right now that looks like our best combination," USM coach Jeff Bower said. "That's not a demotion for Chris. It's just getting the best two players (on the field)."

Wilson transferred to USM in the spring and was granted an exemption from the NCAA to play this season. The Hattiesburg High graduate moved home to be closer to family with medical issues.

He has played in every game and taken part in 124 snaps with 11 knockdowns and two pancakes while allowing a half sack.

Housley has taken 190 snaps with three knockdowns and one pancake while allowing one sack.

The coaching staff has worked Wilson at both guard and tackle, but tackle is his strong point.

"Hopefully, I'll come out and play good Wednesday and keep that job," Wilson said. "I can concentrate more on tackle. I should be prepared the same way either way it goes, whether I'm going in or starting. Be prepared to do everything I'm supposed to do.

"To get my first start back in Hattiesburg, it feels good."

Clark added, "He just brings more muscle to the team."

Clark has started every game since 2005 and was named third team All-Conference USA in 2007. The 6-5, 290-pounder moves better than Wilson, making for a more balanced left side since guards are required to pull and get out in front of outside runs.

Clark explained the switch wouldn't be an issue because he was an all-district guard at McDonough 35 High School in New Orleans.

"I've always been a team player," Clark said. "If duty calls to play guard, then I've got to do what I've got to do.

"The pulling is not really a problem. I actually like to pull. That's a positive. But I like being on my island and being seen at tackle. Guard's a little easier to me because you get help from both sides."

The infusion of Wilson should add to the power run game and help bounce back from a below average output USM suffered in a 38-16 loss to Boise State last week. The Golden Eagles finished with 116 rushing yards against the Broncos - 66 yards below the pre-Boise average of 182.

"We're looking forward to dominating things, especially on that left side," Clark said. "With Calvin and I in there, we're looking to get some movement.

"We needed to run the ball a little better. The coaches think this is a good move to get the running game going a little more. I feel it's a good move, too, and big things will come of it."

Bower also announced that there would be significant changes on special teams.

The units left Boise State with a short field on its first three possessions of the game - the BSU 48-, 46- and 46-yard lines. Two of those drives yielded touchdowns and USM cornerback Brandon Sumrall intercepted a pass in the end zone to thwart a third score.

Bower didn't specify who would move up the depth chart.

"Too many, I can't even go over," he said.

 

[bigboo7]

Just read that Reaves was injured in practice Sunday and is doubtful to play...

So if starter doesn't have miracle recovery, the start will go to a RS freshman who took 4 snaps in an earlier blowout win....

Can Rice stop USM running game? Look at Rice vs Nichols State -- looks like they couldn't stop Nichols