Why Blake Anderson thinks Southern Miss football has a long way to go after spring game
· Yahoo Sports
Southern Miss football coach Blake Anderson was clear that his team is far from its finished product at the spring game.
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Anderson, in his first year as head coach, and the Golden Eagles closed out spring practice with a display of drills and scrimmage plays for fans at M.M. Roberts Stadium on April 18.
“It’s been a good month of work, absolutely needed work,” Anderson said. “Still a long ways to go. If you watched today you can see, but I’m pleased with how we’re progressing. We need all the time that we still have available to try to get ready for the season, but we’ve come a long way from January to now.”
Anderson pointed out that the main challenge this spring has been bringing together a team of completely new faces.
The Golden Eagles have 67 new players, and the only returning starter is offensive lineman Broderick Roman. Anderson pointed out that with so many new players, a starting job is up for grabs at almost every position.
Three quarterbacks – Illinois transfer Ethan Hampton and returners John White and Landry Lyddy – took reps with the first team throughout the scrimmage. Collectively, Anderson complimented their ability to read the field and protect the ball.
“Best thing they’ve done is process well, make good decisions,” said Anderson, who was promoted from offensive coordinator after Charles Huff took the Memphis head coaching job. “We’ve not turned it over a lot. … They’ve all proven they can make the throws in this offense to be explosive, and we made some of those today."
After a full slate of spring practices, Anderson said it was still too early to name a frontrunner for the starting role.
“Too hard to tell,” he said. “Their numbers are almost identical across the board. It’s going to be a really tough decision. That’s their job, to make it hard. Not there yet, luckily I don’t have to (be).”
As for other position groups, he acknowledged that he's seen growth across the board.
He noted the offensive linemen and tight ends have increased their physicality. He also said the chemistry between the offensive line and running backs is moving in the right direction.
On the defensive side, he highlighted the versatility in the secondary and stated that there are a lot of players who can rotate in on the defensive line. He called the linebackers “a work in progress,” specifically in reference to figuring out their rotations, and recognized that position as the group “that’s probably got the furthest to go.”
“Solid is a really big word right now,” Anderson said. “I feel better. Along the way, I really feel like we developed in every position. … We’ve improved everywhere, but we need to keep improving, and solid is not a good word. We’re trying to get there.”
Despite feeling like his team isn’t exactly close to being ready for the season, he clarified that his goal is still to produce a “championship-level result.”
“We’re not going to give this group an excuse,” Anderson said. “Now, I don’t know what’s possible until we start playing other people that aren’t called Southern Miss and until there’s a scoreboard, but I know our goal is going to be the same.”
Southern Miss did not make players available for interviews after the scrimmage. The Golden Eagles' season-opener is Sept. 5 at home against Alcorn State.
Tia Reid covers Jackson State sports for the Clarion Ledger. Email her at [email protected] and follow her on X @tiareid65.
This article originally appeared on Hattiesburg American: How Blake Anderson evaluated Southern Miss football after spring game