The Charles Huff era at Southern Miss did not get off to the start people were hoping for, with a loss to in-state rival Mississippi State, 34-17, in Hattiesburg.
The long-anticipated debut of Charles Huff and new-look Southern Miss created a real buzz to the opening game of the season. The game being broadcast on ESPN also helped bring a big and energetic crowd to M.M. Roberts Stadium.
Despite the newfound energy, USM would get off to a slow start, giving up a 75-yard drive to start the game and would go down a touchdown quick. The Golden Eagles would then have to punt the ball on their opening drive.
Just four plays into Mississippi State’s second drive, Southern Miss defender Michael Montgomery would pick off Blake Shapen and give the Golden Eagles offense great field positioning. Unfortunately, former Marshall quarterback Braylon Braxton and the offense could not convert this into a touchdown, settling for a field goal.
The Bulldogs would immediately respond with a field goal of their own, making the score 10-3 and giving the team a seven point lead once again.
Back-to-back drives with no scores would leave the lead at only a touchdown, but the Golden Eagles would tie the game up on an 81-yard drive.
Braxton would look for Ole Miss transfer receiver Micah Davis, who would make a spectacular catch after the ball was tipped into the air. This would be Davis’ only catch of the game.
Two straight punts would keep this game tied, but the Bulldogs would get on the board right before halftime. A near six-minute drive would end in a 30-yard field goal, giving the Bulldogs a 13-10 lead at the break.
While there was a lot to like in the first half, the second half would go in the opposite direction.
In the third quarter, USM would have four drives, scoring on none of them. The quarter would end with three punts, and one interception from Braxton.
While the offense struggled in this half, they were not the only ones, as the defense would not play well either. MSU would score 21 points on all three of their drives, pushing the lead to 24 entering the fourth quarter.
There was not much to be excited about for both teams in the last quarter, as three straight scoreless drives took over 10 minutes. That was until Braxton would find West Virginia transfer TJ Johnson for a touchdown with just 33 seconds left in the game. This would be all she wrote, as the game would end in a 34-17 loss for Southern Miss.
Braxton would end the game completing 26 of his 39 passing attempts for 199 yards. He would throw for two touchdowns and one interception. Braxton was also the leading rusher for the Golden Eagles, picking up 58 yards.
Former Marshall wideout Carl Chester was the main target for most of the game, ending up with five receptions and 52 yards. Former Mississippi State running back Jeffery Pittman would finish with six receptions for 52 yards, but only picked up 16 yards on the ground against his former team.
Defensively, Marshall transfer Josh Moten, and returnee Chris Jones would end the game tied for the team lead in tackles, with 12.
Mississippi State had a few names familiar to Sun Belt fans that made an impact for them on the day. Most notably South Alabama transfer running back Fluff Bothwell, who finished the game with 10 carries, 43 yards, and two touchdowns. Coastal Carolina transfer defensive lineman Will Whitson also made his name known on the other side of the ball, finishing with four tackles, one sack, and 2.5 tackles for loss.
Coach Huff will once again look for his first win with Southern Miss on September 6th, as Jackson State will visit Hattiesburg. The game will air on ESPN+.
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