There's an old Indian folklore that says only the brave go where eagles dare to soar.

The USM football team has plenty of those daring Eagles, but for many of those valuable players , this weekend will be their last to play in M.M. Roberts Stadium.

This weekend, 23 seniors will play their final home game at "The Rock."  This game will be a chance for the Golden Eagle seniors to reflect on the memories they have gathered over time at USM.

They all agreed this Saturday will be an emotional event for them all, and it's hard for them to believe the regular season of their senior year is coming to a close.

"I know that it's going to be very sad Saturday," defensive tackle Kendall Dunn said.  "It seems that five years have flown by.  I don't really even know how to describe how that's going to feel."

These Golden Eagles have many memories they'll take out into the world with them.  Despite being together during this time, their favorite memories and reflections are very different and representative of the many different characters on the team.

"I guess what I've enjoyed most about playing at USM is being a Top 25 ranked team and having four consecutive winning seasons," middle linebacker Marchant Kenney said.  "We're the first senior class in a long time that's been able to say that, and we're really proud of it."

"Probably my best experience down here is getting the chance to be around a team that wants to win," free safety Perry Phenix said.

Dunn has enjoyed the success at USM also, but he said some of his favorite times as a Golden Eagle have been on plane trips to and from the games.

"The plane rides have always been a lot of fun," Dunn said.  "You get the guys that have never been on a plane, and you get to mess with their minds.  But I've also enjoyed cutting up with the guys on the way home after a big win."

During their time at USM, they coaching staff has instilled many lessons into their players.  From the playing field to the classroom, the USM coaches have imparted many wisdom's onto their students that have made a great impact on them.

They have stressed the value of taking pride in what they do and never accepting anything less than the best from themselves.  The USM coaching staff has taught these Golden Eagles the importance of the game of football and the importance of being a complete person.

"The hardships that we go through in football are just like the hardships that happen in life," defensive end Robert Brown said.  "The coaches have helped us get through all of them, and I know we'll take that knowledge with us."

"All the coaches have really encouraged us on and of the field," running back Tyrone Bolware said.  "They always tell us the importance of being a smart player and giving a maximum effort in whatever we do."  The USM coaches have also taught their players the value of not only being a good player but also a closeness of the team.  Brown said he has most enjoyed the camaraderie of this unit.  The wins mean a great deal more when they've got someone close to share them with.

"There are so many different personalities on this team, and getting the chance to experience all of these different people has been a really good experience," Kenney said.  "I know I've made a lot of friends for life."

Dunn said the unique experience of being on a college football team has given him the chance to make some friendships he will always value.  Not everyone gets the chance to be a part of such a tight unit, and he knows how special his time at USM has been.

"I've made tons of friends that I'll always be close to," Dunn said.  "You know in high school, you say you'll always be friends forever, but that never happens.  Years from now, I'll know something about each of these guys that no one else does.

"Just the isolation of being with your teammates and being with these guys every day is an experience.  I can't think of any other relationship that you can get that close with a group of guys.  We have experienced everything together, the good times and the bad."

If somehow these seniors had the chance to go back in time and get the chance to choose their university again, they know, without a doubt, they would make the same choice again.  They would choose USM all over again and not miss the chance to be a Golden Eagle.

"Of course I would choose Southern Miss again," Kenney said.  "There's no doubt in my mind.  I've played with some really great guys and met a lot of good people.  I've had a great time.  I wouldn't trade this experience for the world."

"These are times that you'll always remember for the rest of your life," Dunn said.  "I know I'll probably call up my old room to see who lives there and just remember some of the times that we had down here."

Saturday will not only be an emotional day for the players but also for the coaches.  These players have been a part of their lives for the last four or five years, and it will be hard to see them move on.

"This senior class has a lot of good players, but more importantly, a lot of good people," head coach Jeff Bower said.  "They are a really special group of guys."

As these Golden Eagle seniors prepare to play their final game in front of the black and gold faithful, they'll come together once again to gain a victory for the team and to uphold the winning tradition of Southern Miss football.  It's sure to be an emotional day for all, but they unanimously agree it'll be a day to remember.

"We'll run through that smoke, hit the rock, and hear the cheers one last time," dunn said.  "we'll make it a memorable time."
 

To the 1997 seniors, thanks for all the memories, and may your path in life lead you to nothing but the best.