Aug. 7, 2012

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Post Practice Interview 

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - For the first time this fall, the pads were cracking at the Joe P. Park practice facility as the Golden Eagles went through a two-plus hour practice session on Tuesday morning.

First-year head coach Ellis Johnson had been anxious to see the physicality of his team and on Tuesday, some of that picture came into focus.

"Overall, I think [the practice] was good," Johnson said following the practice. "You know, I keep coming off the field and talking to [the media] hoping that there is some big time thing that I can tell you about, but unfortunately, the big time things haven't really exploded yet. We're never satisfied though but we continue to make progress."

In team portions of the practice, Johnson was complimentary of the defense and their ability to pass rush while making great plays in the perimeter. On the offense, Johnson and his staff are still looking for consistency and better decision making as they look for a starter to replace four-year veteran Austin Davis.

The Golden Eagles will have their first two-a-day practice session on Wednesday, an early morning and evening practice, and Johnson said his staff was in no hurry to take the players out of full pads.

"We'll go both practices in [full pads] tomorrow," said Johnson. "We may shorten practice a little bit if we can get two good ones in. We're still in install mode and I'm worried more about getting that in than conditioning.

"We're in great shape and I haven't seen any dragging around on the field. I think their attitudes have been really good and they are pushing themselves."

Tickets for the 2012 Southern Miss football season can be purchased either online at SouthernMissTickets.com, by calling 1-800-844-TICK (8425) or visiting the Pat Ferlise Ticket Center from 8 a.m., until 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.