By By Tony Krausz/assistant sports editor
September 20, 2003
A day after the University of Southern Mississippi received some bad news about starting quarterback Micky D'Angelo, a man who knows a thing or two about being under center came to Meridian.
Former Golden Eagle quarterback Reggie Collier was present at the East Central Eagle Club/Alumni District fall football review meeting Friday afternoon at the Crescent City Grill Mahogany Bar.
The first NCAA player ever to rush for 1,000 yards and pass for 1,000 yards helped put the congregation of USM supporters at ease regarding D'Angelo's health.
"(D'Angelo) didn't look like he was in good shape after the game," Collier said of the USM quarterback who suffered a concussion in the first half of the Eagles' win over Memphis last week. "I've kept in touch with him, and he is doing fine."
USM head coach Jeff Bower announced Thursday that the Golden Eagles will be without D'Angelo, who has had four concussions in the last year, for at least a month.
Bower said D'Angelo will go through a two-week period of no exertion and will be held out of contact for a month. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound quarterback from Long Beach will be evaluated again by doctors in one to two weeks.
"I talked to (D'Angelo Thursday), he seemed fine, but looks can be deceiving," Collier said. "It is what is going on inside his head that is important. It is a little touchy. He is a little disappointed that he won't be able to play, but the good thing about it is hopefully, we'll be able to get him back."
Backup Dustin Almond will step into the starting role during D'Angelo's absence.
The sophomore quarterback, who saw limited action in the season opener against California, completed 3-of-14 passes for 44 yards in place of D'Angelo in the second half of the Memphis victory.
"Dustin was a little excited," Collier said of Almond, who was a little off target in his second game of the season. "I told him to calm down and let the game come to him. Dustin can make things happen with running the ball. He has looked good in practice."
Almond is similar in style to Collier, who