Updated: UK-USM game preview blog
Follow this page for updates on Kentucky's season opener on Sept. 3.
Cats Illustrated's coverage of Kentucky football shifts from fall camp to previewing the Golden Eagles. Here we'll post regular updates of the Cats' first opponent and how things are going in Hattiesburg, Miss.
8/27 - Starting defensive tackle out for USM
Think Regie Meant was a big loss for Kentucky? Well, he was (and is), but Southern Miss has their own defensive line issues to worry about.
The Golden Eagles are already undersized on the defensive line and now they'll be without starting defensive tackle Draper Riley for their game against Kentucky.
First (full) year starting quarterback. First year (co-) offensive coordinator(s). A weak opposing front line, especially at tackle, matching up with Jon Toth, Ramsey Meyers and Nick Haynes.
What do you think Kentucky's offensive strategy is going to be?
8/27 - Previewing USM's wild and crazy special teams unit, and Shannon Dawson doesn't have "handcuffs"
Lanny Mixon of BigGoldNation.com talks to Cats Illustrated about the Golden Eagles' unpredictable special teams unit, which attempted 17 trick plays in 2015. The same coordinator returns and they could be even more unpredictable in 2016.
At the same link: Mixon says that USM head coach Jay Hopson will let Shannon Dawson have total control of the offense.
8/26 - USM moving to attacking high-risk, high-reward style on defense
Our Ask the Expert series explores the Southern Miss defense the Cats will face in Week One.
While Lanny Mixon of BigGoldNation.com says the Golden Eagles will play from a size disadvantage up the middle on the defensive line, he says the unit is focused on forcing turnovers and attacking rather than sitting back in a conservative defense.
In another installment of our series Mixon explores the Southern Miss offensive line. Apparently the Golden Eagles and Wildcats have some similarities, with both teams stronger on the interior than at the tackle positions. Notably, Southern Miss will start a converted defensive tackle at left tackle.
8/24 - Southern Miss defense makes big plays in second scrimmage
According to Lanny Mixon of BigGoldNation.com, here on the Rivals.com network, the Southern Miss defense made big plays in their team's second scrimmage of fall camp over the weekend.
Shannon Dawson knows he has a big-time quarterback in Nick Mullens. Now he's working on building depth and experience at the position by giving more reps to Golden Eagles' younger quarterbacks.
In the video below watch Southern Miss head coach Jay Hopson talk about the Eagles' second scrimmage.
8/18 - USM stressing conditioning; run game coming along
According to USM linebacker Elijah Parker, Hopson wants USM to be prepared to go fast. Really fast.
"He's trying to get the offense to run a high-speed tempo and get the defense ready for an up-tempo offense," Parker said.
Also at that link, Munz quotes Shannon Dawson as saying he had been worried about USM's run game, but the first scrimmage put some of his doubts to rest.