Sept. 11, 2012

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - The Southern Miss football team returned to the practice fields Tuesday afternoon in full pads to continue its preparation for its Conference USA opener this weekend against East Carolina.

First-year coach Ellis Johnson thought the squad had a good session at the Joe P. Park Practice Facility as they worked on some first team-versus-first team periods, as well as third-down situations and working on blitz packages for both the offensive and defensive squads.

Freshman Anthony Alford, who is expected to get the start at quarterback this weekend, continues to get the most reps in practice as it will be his job to try to find the Golden Eagles' main offensive weapon, senior Tracy Lampley, who only saw the football three times in the opener at Nebraska.

"Some of it is not what we have designed, but he has to get open, as you have to play without the ball in your hands as well as with it in your hands," Johnson said. "There are plenty of things in there where he is not necessarily the primary receiver, but he certainly is one of the primary reads in progression and we got some things where he comes through the backfield and releases. We have to have more snaps to get it to him."

Johnson went on to say that Alford needs to continue to improve at things that will make him successful, including making the reads, picking up blitzes that he will see at this level. He also did say that Alford has tremendous poise for a true freshman.

"He has been in about every all-star game invented in football and baseball," Johnson said. "He has been around a lot of great players - his peers - but this is another step for him. He had the experience with professional baseball, living with a bunch of professional athletes for a few weeks this summer. The pressure doesn't bother him, he is just a freshman."

The Golden Eagles entertain the Pirates at 2:30 p.m., at Carlisle-Faulkner Field at Roberts Stadium. For tickets, fans can go online at SouthernMiss.com, call 1-800-844-TICK (8425) or go by the Pat Ferlise Ticket Office, weekdays from 8-5 p.m.