Sept. 12, 2012

Ticket Information
Online | Phone: 1-800-844-8425 / 601-266-5418

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Southern Miss went through their normal practice routine on Wednesday at the Joe P. Park Practice facility under mild temperatures as they prepare for their home and conference opener against East Carolina on Saturday.

The game is also designated as FTTT Day in Hattiesburg and fans have been encouraged to "fill it to the top" as the department pushes for a loud crowd to open the 100th year of Southern Miss football.

Coach Ellis Johnson and his Eagles worked hard today to do their part, going for over two hours in shoulder pads and helmets as they install their game plan for the Pirates.

"The gameplan is almost completely in, on the boards and in the meetings," said Johnson. ". I feel good where we are right now on the game plan and what we've gotten practiced at this point."

Like Southern Miss, the Pirates are expected to start a new quarterback on Saturday but Johnson realizes the Air Raid offense employed in Greenville still cannot be taken lightly.

"It hasn't kept down their production in yardage though," noted the first-year head coach. "They execute that throwing game and running game off it extremely well. We're going to have to prepared. They're a very good offense and we've got to eliminate explosive plays."

The Golden Eagles will start true freshman and local product Anthony Alford on Saturday, the first time a true freshman has started the game since 2003 and the staff has noticed an improvement in his practices since being named the starter.

"Anthony has gotten the bulk of repetitions and it's made him a better player right now," Johnson said following practice. "We'll just have to see what the production is like in the game."

Along with the FTTT campaign, Golden Eagle fans are encouraged to support the Golden Eagle Pridge initiative by helping color coordinate M.M. Roberts Stadium. Fans located in the east side of the stadium (nearest to highway 49) are asked to don their best gold attire while fans on the west side should come prepared to black out their sections. For fans in the south endzone, Southern Miss looks for fans to wear white.

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.