From staff reports

HATTIESBURG – Torrential rain became part of the gameplan for Southern Miss on Tuesday.

The Golden Eagles went through two soggy practices at M.M. Roberts Stadium, taking advantage of the wet conditions to work on wet ball drills, quarterback-center exchanges, throwing and various other game elements that could be affected if forced to play under wet conditions.

“Today was a great day of practice in the rain,” Southern Miss coach Larry Fedora said. “We practiced in the rain for probably about 85 percent of the two sessions today.”

USM worked out in shorts and shoulder pads for both practices and will return to the field today in full pads.

The team is scheduled to conduct its final two-a-day practice on Thursday.

Statesmen start season at No. 12

CLEVELAND – Delta State will begin the 2008 football season ranked No. 12 in the American Football Coaches Association preseason poll. The ranking marks the fifth straight season the Statesmen have started a season in the Top 25.

“We’re excited about the national recognition our program has earned over the past few years, but our goal is to be ranked at the top at the end of the season,” DSU coach Ron Roberts said.

The defending Gulf South Conference champions finished the 2007 season with a 10-2 record, 8-0 in conference play, and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division II playoffs.

GSC members Valdosta State and North Alabama are ranked Nos. 1 and 4, respectively.

Grand Valley State, the 2006 national champion and 2007 national semifinalist, is ranked No. 2, with 2007 national runner-up Northwest Missouri State at No. 3. California, Pa., also a 2007 semifinalist, rounds out the top five.