SMU's Bennett feels Eagles' pain

[Water Pony]

Interesting item in the October 12, 2007 Jackson Clarion

Notebook: SMU's Bennett feels Eagles' pain


HATTIESBURG — SMU coach Phil Bennett has plenty on his mind these days, trying to right a football team that has won just one of its first five games.

But Bennett will come into Roberts Stadium with a heavier heart than he had expected.

Bennett was defensive coordinator at LSU when Southern Miss defensive coordinator Jay Hopson was a graduate assistant. The two became friends, close enough that Bennett was in Hopson's wedding party.

So the news that Hopson would not be with the Golden Eagles on Saturday night while he recovers from testicular surgery hit Bennett hard.

"It's been painful," Bennett told The Dallas Morning News Tuesday when he found out about Hopson. "As much as I was looking forward to competing against him, it puts a lot of things in perspective."

Hopson had surgery Thursday at the Indiana University Cancer Center in Indianapolis. USM coach Jeff Bower said Hopson is still awaiting results to see if growths were cancerous.

"We will not know for sure until we find that out, but he did really well (in surgery) and everything is good," said Bower.

[LonghornFan68]

odd. He feels his pain? I don't think that's what he meant.