Tag: Southern Miss

Western Kentucky rallies late to top Southern Miss in New Orleans Bowl

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Maverick McIvor, George Hart III and Marvis Parrish rushed for touchdowns and Western Kentucky rallied to defeat Southern Miss 27-16 in the New Orleans Bowl on Tuesday.

McIvor, the starting quarterback for the Hilltoppers (9-4, 6-2 Conference USA) before injuring his non-throwing shoulder in October, entered the game late in the second quarter when Rodney Tisdale Jr., who was starting his sixth consecutive game, was injured.

McIvor passed for 199 yards with an interception and rushed for 48 yards before being named MVP of the game. Tisdale passed for 65 yards with an interception.

“(McIvor) is the epitome of this team,” said Western Kentucky head coach Tyson Helton. “He got us off to a great start this season before he got hurt. Rodney (Tisdale Jr.) did a fantastic job, then he got nicked up today. I’ve been telling Maverick to just keep grinding, that he would get another shot.

“When I saw that look in (McIvor’s) eye (before he entered the game), I felt he would get it done and he did.”

Braylon Braxton passed for 258 yards with a touchdown and an interception to lead the Golden Eagles (7-6, 5-3 Sun Belt), who were playing their first game under head coach Blake Anderson since he was promoted from offensive coordinator after Charles Huff left to become head coach at Memphis.

On the Hilltoppers’ second possession of the third quarter, McIvor threw a 46-yard completion to Matthew Henry, who finished with 126 yards on seven catches, and three plays later, McIvor ran 11 yards for a tying touchdown. Creighton Wilbanks’ 41-yard field goal then gave the Eagles a 16-13 lead at the end of the third quarter.

Hart ran 1 yard for a touchdown to give Western Kentucky a 20-16 lead with 7:51 left in the game, then Parrish added a 54-yard touchdown run with 3:38 left.

“Our program and our guys love to compete in bowl games,” said Helton. “This is what college football is all about.”

The Eagles attempted to punt at the end of their first possession, but Reed Harradine fumbled the snap and Koron Hayward recovered for Western Kentucky at the Southern Miss 12. That led to John Cannon kicking a 31-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead.

Braxton’s 35-yard touchdown pass to Tychaun Chapman gave the Eagles a 7-3 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Cannon’s 30-yard field goal pulled the Hilltoppers within one point, but Wilbanks kicked field goals of 25 and 29 yards to give Southern Miss a 13-6 halftime lead.

–Field Level Media

Western Kentucky, Southern Miss feel stable, but with QB questions

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Western Kentucky’s quarterback situation is unclear. Southern Miss is going through a head coaching transition.

But all in all, both teams have more stability than a lot of programs this time of year as they prepare to meet in the New Orleans Bowl on Tuesday.

“Everybody is with us — players and coaches,” Western Kentucky head coach Tyson Helton said. “We want to finish this thing out together.”

The Hilltoppers (8-4) expect to have both of their quarterbacks available. Graduate Maverick McIvor was the starter before suffering an injury to his non-throwing shoulder in October. Redshirt freshman Western Kentucky’s quarterback situation is unclear.

“Both quarterbacks are going to prepare like they’re going to start this game,” Helton said.

Tisdale won his first three starts before losing his last two, which were road games against LSU (13-10) and Jacksonville State (37-34).

“Rodney has grown a lot,” Helton said. “He was thrown into the fire in some very challenging games and I like where he currently is. He’s still developing. He’s still growing, but he’s done very well and I love the fact that there are two quality quarterbacks in that room.”

Helton said he feels Western Kentucky is battle tested after going 3-3 on the road, and the two nonconference losses came against bowl teams Toledo and LSU.

“We like to compete on the road,” Helton said. “This game will be no different.”

The Hilltoppers are making their seventh consecutive bowl appearance and 12th overall at the FBS level.

The Golden Eagles (7-5) had a big turnaround from a 1-11 record last season under first-year head coach Charles Huff, who left to become head coach at Memphis.

They promoted offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Blake Anderson to interim head coach before naming him Huff’s full-time successor. Anderson was in the first season of his second stint as a Southern Miss assistant.

Despite the departure of Huff, the Golden Eagles have been virtually untouched by opt-outs, NFL declarations or the transfer portal.

“I would say 99% of our guys have made it very clear that they not only want to play, but they want to win the game and finish the right way,” Anderson said. “I know, with people opting out all over the country and guys choosing not to play, that means a lot.”

The Golden Eagles have also been dealing with an injury at quarterback. Braylon Braxton sustained a knee injury last month, missed one game and was limited when he returned. But he has had time to heal since the regular-season finale Nov. 29.

“He looks better now than he has looked in a very long time,” Anderson said of Braxton. “I’m very encouraged that we can open things back up. What makes Braylon so hard to defend is his ability to create. We had to be very, very vanilla with what we were doing. We weren’t as effective as we needed to be. I expect him to be much more like himself (against the Hilltoppers).”

The Golden Eagles’ 24th bowl appearance is ending a two-year bowl absence.

–Field Level Media

Southern Miss promotes Blake Anderson to head coach

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Southern Mississippi named Blake Anderson its new coach on Thursday, just three days after promoting the offensive coordinator to interim head coach.

Charles Huff left the Golden Eagles for the Memphis job, creating the opening for Anderson to become head coach of his third different program. He previously was the head man at Arkansas State and Utah State.

“We are excited to announce Blake Anderson as the next leader of our football program,” Southern Miss athletic director Jeremy McClain said in a statement. “He brings a wealth of experience and a 10-year run as a successful head coach, including multiple conference championships in the Sun Belt, a Mountain West conference championship, and nine bowl appearances.

“Blake is an exceptional leader, a great communicator, and has the respect of the players and the staff throughout the Duff Center. We look forward to supporting him at the highest level and continuing the positive momentum for our program.”

Anderson, 56, has a 74-54 overall record as a head coach. His Golden Eagles’ debut will occur Dec. 23 against Western Kentucky in the New Orleans Bowl.

He went 51-37 at Arkansas State from 2014-2020 before moving on to Utah State and going 23-17 from 2021-23.

Anderson was fired by Utah State in July 2024 after personally attempting to investigate the circumstances of a player’s arrest for domestic violence. The school said Anderson should have immediately reported the incident to the Office of Equity.

Anderson was initially placed on leave in early July before being dismissed two-plus-weeks later in the month.

Anderson joined the Southern Miss staff for the 2025 season and helped the squad go 7-5. A bowl victory would give the Golden Eagles their first eight-win season since 2017.

–Field Level Media

Memphis hires Charles Huff as new head coach

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Memphis officially named Charles Huff as its new head coach on Monday.

The former Southern Miss head coach replaces Ryan Silverfield, who departed on Nov. 30 to take over at Arkansas.

Huff, 42, guided the Golden Eagles to a 7-5 record this season in his first season in Hattiesburg, Miss. Before that, he was 32-20 in four seasons at Marshall from 2021-24, getting the team bowl eligible in each of his seasons there.

“Early in our search process, Coach Huff quickly rose to the top of our list as a dynamic leader with a proven track record of building strong, competitive programs,” Memphis athletic director Ed Scott said in a statement. “He brings a championship mindset, tremendous drive, and more than 20 years of experience working alongside some of the top coaches in college football.”

Huff was the architect of a dramatic turnaround in 2025, as Southern Miss went 5-3 in the Sun Belt Conference after going 0-8 in 2024 (1-11 overall). The Golden Eagles will meet Western Kentucky in the New Orleans Bowl on Dec. 23.

Memphis is 8-4 this season and will make its fourth consecutive bowl appearance on Dec. 19 against NC State in the Gasparilla Bowl in Tampa, Fla.

“My family and I are so fired up about this opportunity,” Huff said. “The city of Memphis, the leadership at the University and the level of consistency the football program has had over the recent years is incredible. I would like to thank University President Dr. Bill Hardgrave, Athletics Director Dr. Ed Scott, and their entire team who has instilled their faith in me to lead this outstanding program. To the city of Memphis and Tiger Nation, it’s time to STAND UP! To the players and administration, it’s go time!”

Huff was an assistant head coach and running backs coach at Alabama under Nick Saban from 2019-20 before taking the job at Marshall. His assistant coaching stops also include Mississippi State (2018) and Penn State (2014-17).

–Field Level Media

Report: Memphis closes in on Southern Miss’ Charles Huff

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Memphis is finalizing a deal with Southern Miss head coach Charles Huff to become the next head coach of the Tigers, ESPN reported Saturday.

Huff, 42, reportedly will receive a five-year contract to replace Ryan Silverfield, who departed on Nov. 30 to take over at Arkansas.

Huff guided the Golden Eagles to a 7-5 record this season in his first season in Hattiesburg, Miss. Before that, he was 32-20 with three bowl appearances in four seasons at Marshall from 2021-24.

Huff was the architect of a dramatic turnaround in 2025, as Southern Miss went 5-3 in the Sun Belt Conference after going 0-8 in 2024 (1-11 overall).

Memphis is 8-4 this season and awaiting its fourth consecutive bowl selection.

Huff was an assistant head coach and running backs coach at Alabama under Nick Saban from 2019-20 before taking the job at Marshall. His assistant coaching stops also include Mississippi State (2018) and Penn State (2014-17).

–Field Level Media

Southern Miss Golden Eagles wide receiver Micah Davis (6) catches a pass in the end zone against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at M.M. Roberts Stadium in Hattiesburg, Miss., on Aug. 30, 2025.

Blake Shapen guides Mississippi State past Southern Miss

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Blake Shapen passed for 270 yards and a touchdown, and Mississippi State rushed for three third-quarter touchdowns to pull away from Southern Miss 34-17 on Saturday afternoon in Hattiesburg, Miss.

Shapen completed 26 of 34 passes, Fluff Bothwell ran for two touchdowns and Davon Booth rushed for one for the Bulldogs in the season opener for both teams.

Mississippi State outgained the Golden Eagles, who were playing their first game under new head coach Charles Huff. The Bulldogs outgained Southern Miss 465-301.

Braylon Braxton, a transfer who followed Huff from last season’s Sun Belt Conference champion Marshall, completed 26 of 39 for 199 yards with two touchdowns and one interception and rushed 12 times for 58 yards.

MSU’s first possession of the third quarter ended with Bothwell rushing 6 yards for a touchdown that gave the Bulldogs a 20-10 lead. Bothwell rushed 1 yard for a touchdown on Mississippi State’s next possession to expand the lead to 27-10.

The Bulldogs made it three touchdowns in three possessions when Booth ran 3 yards for a score that increased the lead to 34-10 late in the third quarter.

Braxton threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to TJ Johnson with 33 seconds remaining in the game.

After scoring all its points in the first quarter and a half, Southern Miss’ possessions ended with four punts, the expiration of the first-half clock, an interception and a turnover on downs before the final touchdown.

On the game’s sixth play from scrimmage Shapen threw a 55-yard touchdown pass to Seydou Traore.

The Bulldogs’ second possession ended when Shapen’s pass was intercepted by Michael Montgomery at the MSU 26. Three plays gained just 1 yard before Reed Harradine kicked a 43-yard field goal to pulled the Golden Eagles within 7-3.

Kyle Ferrie’s 55-yard field goal increased the lead to 10-3 at the end of the first quarter.

Braxton threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to Micah Davis to tie the score midway through the second quarter. Ferrie kicked a 30-yard field goal with three seconds left to give the Bulldogs a 13-10 halftime lead.

–Field Level Media

Sep 21, 2024; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Blake Shapen (2) drops back to pass against the Florida Gators during the first quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-Imagn Images

Mississippi State renews rivalry with Southern Miss to start season

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Expectations are low for both teams as Mississippi State visits Southern Miss in the season opener at Hattiesburgh, Miss., on Saturday.

The Bulldogs (2-10, 0-8) finished at the bottom of the SEC last season during head coach Jeff Lebby’s first year, and they’re projected to finish last again.

The Golden Eagles (1-11, 0-8 Conference USA) are starting over under first-year head coach Charles Huff, who guided Marshall to the Sun Belt Conference championship last season.

Huff brought several key players with him, including quarterback Braylon Braxton, the Sun Belt Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, but the team is picked to finish fifth in the seven-team West Division.

“I expect four or five starters for Southern Miss coming from Marshall,” Lebby said. “You’d think there’d be some carryover, but Week 1 is always a little bit up in the air. You try not to chase ghosts. You try to prepare for everything without knowing exactly what it’s going to look like on the other side of the ball. The best way to handle that is to keep things simple on both sides so guys can adjust and play fast no matter what happens.”

Bulldogs quarterback Blake Shapen is back after missing the final eight games of his first season with MSU due to a shoulder injury. The former Baylor transfer has started the last 27 games in which he has played.

As for the Eagles’ quarterback, Huff said the “continuity” that Braxton brings to the offense “is a positive,” but he downplayed any assumptions about Southern Miss this season based on Marshall’s success last season.

“It’s going to be a huge challenge for us,” Huff said of the opener. “We’re just trying to get better. I know everyone’s like, ‘Well, you brought the team from the other place that won the championship.’ It’s not the same team. It wouldn’t be the same team if we were in the same location.

“There are going to be some growing pains when you play the big, bad SEC. You’re going to learn real quick that you’ve got a lot of room to improve.”

The two teams will be meeting for the first time since 2023, when Mississippi State emerged with a 41-20 victory in Starkville. Overall, the Bulldogs hold an 18-12-1 edge in the history of the rivalry.

–Field Level Media

Sep 21, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Marshall Thundering Herd head coach Charles Huff during the first quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images

Ex-Marshall leader Charles Huff introduced as Southern Miss coach

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Charles Huff posted 10 wins and earned a conference title this season for Marshall but will now venture into a major rebuilding project.

That’s because Huff was formally introduced as coach of Southern Miss on Thursday. The Golden Eagles went 1-11 this season and have won three or fewer games in four of the past five seasons.

“It wasn’t a, ‘OK, you’re looking at championship to worst team in the conference,’” Huff said at his unveiling in Hattiesburg, Miss. “It was, ‘Hey, you’re looking at a situation where holistically you feel you’re in a better situation, people, resources, opportunity, community buy-in, everything involved.’”

Huff, 41, went 32-20 with the Thundering Herd and won his last seven games with the school, including a 31-3 shellacking of Louisiana in the Sun Belt championship game last Saturday.

One day later, he agreed to a four-year deal worth $950,000 annually with Southern Miss. Earlier this season, Huff’s Marshall team crushed the host Golden Eagles 37-3.

Southern Miss fired Will Hall after seven games (1-6) and Reed Stringer (0-5) finished out the season on an interim basis.

Marshall will face Army in the Independence Bowl on Dec. 28. Associate head coach Telly Lockette will lead the squad in the bowl game.

The Thundering Herd hired North Carolina State defensive coordinator Tony Gibson as their new head coach.

–Field Level Media

Southern Miss Golden Eagles' head coach Will Hall speaks to players after the spring game at the M.M. Roberts Stadium in Hattiesburg, Miss., on Saturday, Apr. 6, 2024.

Southern Miss fires coach Will Hall

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Southern Miss fired coach Will Hall on Sunday after 3 1/2 seasons on the job.

After a 3-9 season in 2023, Hall’s Golden Eagles were off to a 1-6 start (0-3 Sun Belt) this year when the athletics department pulled the plug.

“We are grateful to Will and his family for their dedication to Southern Miss over the past four years,” athletic director Jeremy McClain said in a statement. “Will poured his heart and soul into this program and into shaping these young men. Unfortunately, the results on the field didn’t align with our shared goals and expectations.”

Reed Stringer, the football program’s assistant head coach and general manager, will take over as interim head coach for the remainder of the season.

Hall, a 44-year-old Mississippi native, spent two seasons as the offensive coordinator at Tulane before getting the Southern Miss job. He amassed a 14-30 record with the Golden Eagles. In the program’s first season in the Sun Belt in 2022, it went to the LendingTree Bowl and beat Rice 38-24, Southern Miss’ only bowl trip during Hall’s tenure.

–Field Level Media

Kentucky’s Brock Vandagriff ran with the football against Southern Miss’ Jalil Clemons Saturday night at Kroger Field. Aug. 31, 2024

Kentucky shuts out Southern Miss, wins 4th straight opener

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Brock Vandagriff completed 12-of-18 passes for 169 yards and three touchdowns, as Kentucky beat Southern Miss 31-0 in a weather-shortened game in Lexington, Ky., on Saturday.

The Wildcats outgained the Golden Eagles 317-131 as Kentucky won its fourth straight season opener. Demie Sumo-Karngbaye led Kentucky with 59 rushing yards and a score. Florida State transfer Tate Rodemaker was 13-for-19 for 126 yards and two interceptions for Southern Miss, which fell to 1-4 all-time against the Wildcats.

After a two-hour, 20-minute weather delay before the game, Kentucky moved the ball to the Southern Miss 25-yard line, but Vandagriff’s pass was picked off by Dylan Lawrence at the 12:24 mark of the first quarter.

Rodemaker then found Dannis Jackson for a 29-yard pickup on first down, but had his pass picked off by Jamon Dumas-Johnson on the next play.

From there, the Wildcats used a 10-play, 59-yard scoring drive capped by Vandagriff’s 12-yard touchdown pass to Barion Brown, giving Kentucky a 7-0 lead with 6:03 left in the first.

On the ensuing drive, Rodemaker connected with Kyirin Heath for a 34-yard gain to the Southern Miss 43. After completing a 21-yard pass to Davis Dalton to the Kentucky 15, Rodemaker threw his second interception on third-and-goal, as JQ Hardaway picked off the pass.

Each team traded punts before Alex Raynor’s 41-yard field goal gave Kentucky a 10-0 advantage at the 7:45 mark of the second.

After forcing a Southern Miss punt, Vandagriff’s 35-yard pass to Dane Key set up the Wildcats on the Golden Eagles’ 40-yard line. Jamarion Wilcox then ran for 10 yards, and Jason Patterson had consecutive rushes of 12 and 11 yards. A Southern Miss penalty then placed the ball on the 1-yard line, leading to Sumo-Karngbaye’s rushing score.

Southern Miss followed with what appeared to be a three-and-out, but the Golden Eagles’ fake punt was stopped on their own 29, giving the Wildcats excellent field position. Vandagriff completed a 21-yard pass to Key, then found Brown for a 12-yard score to give the Wildcats a 24-0 lead with 31 seconds left.

The Wildcat defense forced another Southern Miss punt to open the second half. On third-and-7 from their own 19, Vandagriff hooked up with Fred Farrier for a 12-yard gain, before a pass interference call moved the ball to the Kentucky 46.

Vandagriff then completed a 46-yard pass to Ja’Mori Maclin to the Southern Miss 8-yard line. Two plays later, Jordan Dingle was the recipient of Vandagriff’s third passing touchdown, a 5-yard throw to give the Wildcats a 31-point advantage with 9:56 left.

After the score, another lightning delay forced both teams to their locker rooms, before they eventually agreed to finish the game.

–Field Level Media