Out of Conference USA, Southern Mississippi is looking for a statement victory under head coach Jay Hopson as it takes on Florida State in the 2017 Walk-On’s Independence Bowl. The Golden Eagles reached eight wins for a second time in three years and will look to make it nine.
Last season’s 28-21 win over Louisiana-Lafayette in the New Orleans Bowl was the first bowl victory for the Golden Eagles since 2011. That was also the last time that Southern Miss defeated an ACC school when it beat Virginia, 30-24.
On Southern Mississippi
Record: 8-4
Offensive Ranks: 33rd in yards per game (438.3), 47th in passing yards per game (249.3), 39th in rushing yards per game (189), 48th in points per game (30.5).
Defensive Ranks: 17th in yards per game allowed (322), 25th in passing yards per game allowed (189.8), 29th in rushing yards per game allowed (132.3), 39th in points per game allowed (23).
Last Game: Defeated Marshall 28-27 on Nov. 25.
On Offense
Kwadra Griggs, a junior, and sophomore Keon Howard have split time at quarterback this season for Southern Miss. The two have combined for almost 3,000 yards passing and both are completing just under 57 percent of their passes, but Griggs has emerged as the guy of late. Although the completion percentage isn’t outstanding, Griggs has accounted for 17 touchdowns and hasn’t thrown an interception since Oct. 28. The guy to watch for the Southern Miss offense is senior running back Ito Smith, who has nearly 1,700 total yards and 15 total touchdowns. Smith is averaging 5.7 yards per carry and has scored at least once in 10 of the 12 games this season for Southern Miss.
The go-to guy for Southern Mississippi out wide is junior Korey Robertson. Robertson has 1,070 yards receiving and 11 touchdowns this season and eclipsed the 100-yard receiving mark in four of his last six games. Senior Allenzae Staggers has been a solid No. 2 for the Golden Eagles with nearly 500 yards receiving and five touchdowns. The offensive line, led by senior center Devin Farrior, has been good. That unit has allowed just 14 sacks this season and is generating 4.8 yards per carry on the ground.
On Defense
Defensive end Xavier Thigpen has been the most productive member of the Southern Mississippi defensive line. Thigpen is tied for the team-lead with 11 tackles for loss to go with five sacks, two forced fumbles and a defensive touchdown. Freshman Jacques Turner has also been solid on the outside with four sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss. The strength of the defense for Southern Miss may be the linebackers. Paxton Schrimsher leads the team with 5.5 sacks and is tied for the team-lead with 11 stops behind the line of scrimmage.
Racheem Boothe has 70 total tackles and 8.5 tackles for loss. Jeremy Sangster is also in the midst of a solid year with seven tackles for loss. In the secondary, safety Tarvarius Moore leads the team with 73 tackles and three interceptions. Kelsey Douglas and Cornell Armstrong, both cornerbacks, each have two interceptions. Douglas returned both of his picks for scores. Senior cornerback Curtis Mikell is the best cover guy for the Golden Eagles out on the edge.
On Special Teams
Kicker Parker Shaunfield had a solid season, going 17-for-20 on field goal attempts en route to being named first-team All-Conference USA. Shaunfield was also a perfect 4-for-4 from beyond 40 yards with a long of 51 yards. Briggs Bourgeois averaged 40.5 yards per punt for the Golden Eagles this season. Southern Miss didn’t return a kick or a punt longer than 32 yards this season. It was fairly good in coverage.
Summary
Southern Mississippi is a well-coached football team with good skill players on offense and a very good offensive line. Defensively, the back seven is also one of the best in Conference USA. Talent-wise, the Golden Eagles don’t stack up that well against FSU and failed to get into its comfort zone in contests against Power 5 teams like Kentucky and Tennessee. If the Seminoles can stifle Smith as the Wildcats and Volunteers did and not turn the ball over to a team with 18 takeaways, they should like their chances.
Mike Ferguson is the editor of The Daily Nole. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson
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