2017 Southern Miss Golden Eagles football team

The 2017 Southern Miss Golden Eagles football team represented the University of Southern Mississippi in the 2017 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Golden Eagles played their home games at the M. M. Roberts Stadium in Hattiesburg, Mississippi and competed in the West Division of Conference USA (C–USA). They were led by second-year head coach Jay Hopson. They finished the season 8–5, 6–2 in C-USA play to finish in a tie for second place in the West Division. They were invited to the Independence Bowl where they lost to Florida State.

2017 Southern Miss Golden Eagles football
Independence Bowl, L 13–42 vs. Florida State
Conference	Conference USA
Division	West Division
Record	8–5 (6–2 C-USA)
Head coach	Jay Hopson (2nd season)
Offensive coordinator	Shannon Dawson (2nd season)
Offensive scheme	Spread
Defensive coordinator	Tony Pecoraro (2nd season)
Base defense	4–3
Home stadium	M. M. Roberts Stadium
Seasons ← 2016 2018 →

2017 Conference USA football standings

v t e	Conf.							Overall
Team		W		L					W		L
East Division
Florida Atlantic x$		8	–	0					11	–	3
FIU		5	–	3					8	–	5
Marshall		4	–	4					8	–	5
Middle Tennessee		4	–	4					7	–	6
Western Kentucky		4	–	4					6	–	7
Old Dominion		3	–	5					5	–	7
Charlotte		1	–	7					1	–	11
West Division
North Texas x		7	–	1					9	–	5
Southern Miss		6	–	2					8	–	5
UAB		6	–	2					8	–	5
Louisiana Tech		4	–	4					7	–	6
UTSA		3	–	5					6	–	5
Rice		1	–	7					1	–	11
UTEP		0	–	8					0	–	12
Championship: Florida Atlantic 41, North Texas 17
$ – Conference champion x – Division champion/co-champions Rankings from AP Poll

Schedule

Southern Miss announced its 2017 football schedule on January 26, 2017. The 2017 schedule consists of 6 home and away games in the regular season. The Golden Eagles will host C–USA foes North Texas, UTEP, UAB, and Charlotte, and will travel to UTSA, Louisiana Tech, Rice, and Marshall.^[1]

The team will play four non–conference games, two home games against Kentucky from the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and Southern from the Southwestern Athletic Conference, and two road games against ULM from the Sun Belt Conference and Tennessee who is also from the Southeastern Conference.

Date	Time	Opponent	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
September 2	3:00 p.m.	Kentucky*	M. M. Roberts Stadium Hattiesburg, MS	CBSSN	L 17–24	22,761
September 9	6:00 p.m.	Southern*	M. M. Roberts Stadium Hattiesburg, MS	Stadium	W 45–0	24,337
September 16	6:00 p.m.	at Louisiana–Monroe*	Malone Stadium Monroe, LA	ESPN3	W 28–17	11,061
September 30	6:00 p.m.	North Texas	M. M. Roberts Stadium Hattiesburg, MS	CUSA.TV	L 28–43	21,907
October 7	6:00 p.m.	at UTSA	Alamodome San Antonio, TX	Stadium	W 31–29	23,517
October 14	6:00 p.m.	UTEP	M. M. Roberts Stadium Hattiesburg, MS	Stadium	W 24–0	21,970
October 21	6:00 p.m.	at Louisiana Tech	Joe Aillet Stadium Ruston, LA (Rivalry in Dixie)	Stadium	W 34–27 2OT	17,815
October 28	6:00 p.m.	UAB	M. M. Roberts Stadium Hattiesburg, MS	CUSA.TV	L 12–30	19,101
November 4	6:30 p.m.	at Tennessee*	Neyland Stadium Knoxville, TN	SECN	L 10–24	95,551
November 11	2:30 p.m.	at Rice	Rice Stadium Houston, TX	Stadium	W 43–34	18,124
November 18	2:00 p.m.	Charlotte	M. M. Roberts Stadium Hattiesburg, MS		W 66–21	20,189
November 25	1:30 p.m.	at Marshall	Joan C. Edwards Stadium Huntington, WV	Stadium	W 28–27	18,361
December 27	12:30 p.m.	vs. Florida State*	Independence Bowl Shreveport, LA (Independence Bowl)	ESPN	L 13–42	33,601
*Non-conference game Homecoming All times are in Central time

Schedule Source:^[2]

Game summaries

Kentucky

See also: 2017 Kentucky Wildcats football team

Week One: Kentucky Wildcats at Southern Miss Golden Eagles – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Wildcats	0	14	10	0	24
Golden Eagles	0	3	7	7	17

at M. M. Roberts Stadium, Hattiesburg, MS

• Date: September 2
• Game time: 3:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: 86°F • N 4 • Sunny
• Game attendance: 22,761
• Referee: Hubert Owens
• TV: CBSSN
• Southern Miss vs Kentucky

Game information

Second quarter 14:54 Kentucky – Stephen Johnson 8 yard run (Austin MacGinnis kick), Kentucky 7–0. Drive: 3 plays, 14 yards, 1:16 8:21 Southern Miss – Parker Shaunfield 22 yard field goal, Kentucky 7–3. Drive: 14 plays, 82 yards, 6:29 7:01 Kentucky – C.J. Conrad 23 yard pass from Stephen Johnson (Austin MacGinnis kick), Kentucky 14–3. Drive: 3 plays, 37 yards, 1:09 Third quarter 10:40 Southern Miss – Korey Robertson 42 yard pass from Kwadra Griggs (Parker Shaunfield kick), Kentucky 14–10. Drive: 6 plays, 85 yards, 2:12 2:03 Kentucky – Austin MacGinnis 41 yard field goal, Kentucky 17–10. Drive: 7 plays, 31 yards, 3:27 0:49 Kentucky – Denzil Ware 20 yard fumble return (Austin MacGinnis kick), Kentucky 24–10. Drive: 3 plays, -5 yards, 1:14 Fourth quarter 12:42 Southern Miss – Korey Robertson 26 yard pass from Kwadra Griggs (Parker Shaunfield kick), Kentucky 24–17. Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 3:07 Leading Passers USM – Kwadra Griggs, 15–26, 222 yards, 2 TD UK – Stephen Johnson, 11–20, 176 yards, 1 TD Leading Rushers USM – Ito Smith, 16 carries, 37 yards UK – Benny Snell Jr., 20 carries, 67 yards Leading Receivers USM – Korey Robertson, 7 receptions, 111 yards, 2 TD UK – C. J. Conrad, 3 receptions, 97 yards, 1 TD Leading Tacklers USM – Tarvarius Moore, 8 tackles UK – Courtney Love, 9 tackles

Southern

See also: 2017 Southern Jaguars football team

Week Two: Southern Jaguars at Southern Miss Golden Eagles – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Jaguars	0	0	0	0	0
Golden Eagles	28	7	10	0	45

at M. M. Roberts Stadium, Hattiesburg, MS

• Date: September 9
• Game time: 6:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: 79°F • NNE 7 • Sunny, 51% Humidity
• Game attendance: 24,337
• Referee: Will Williams
• TV: STADIUM
• Southern Miss vs Southern

Game information

First quarter 10:58 Southern Miss – Xavier Thigpen 0 yard fumble return (Parker Shaunfield kick), Southern Miss 7–0. Drive: 4 plays, -7 yards, 1:36 6:54 Southern Miss – Ito Smith 27 yard run (Parker Shaunfield kick), Southern Miss 14–0. Drive: 6 plays, 69 yards, 2:19 5:47 Southern Miss – Allenzae Staggers 20 yard pass from Kwadra Griggs (Parker Shaunfield kick), Southern Miss 21–0. Drive: 2 plays, 12 yards, 0:55 3:22 Southern Miss – T'Rod Daniels 49 yard run (Parker Shaunfield kick), Southern Miss 28–0. Drive: 2 plays, 50 yards, 0:31 Second quarter 5:53 Southern Miss – Quez Watkins 26 yard pass from Kwadra Griggs (Parker Shaunfield kick), Southern Miss 35–0. Drive: 4 plays, 78 yards, 1:36 Third quarter 14:37 Southern Miss – Cornell Armstrong 46 yard interception return (Parker Shaunfield kick), Southern Miss 42–0. Drive: 3 plays, -5 yards, 0:23 0:00 Southern Miss – Parker Shaunfield 28 yard field goal, Southern Miss 45–0. Drive: 11 plays, 72 yards, 4:31 Leading Passers SOU – Darquez Lee, 5–10, 56 yards USM – Kwadra Griggs, 15–23, 209 yards, 2 TD Leading Rushers SOU – Devon Benn, 8 carries, 42 yards USM – Trod Daniels, 10 carries, 83 yards, 1 TD Leading Receivers SOU – Jamar Washington, 3 receptions, 36 yards USM – Allenzae Staggers, 5 receptions, 62 yards, 1 TD Leading Tacklers SOU – Andrea Augustine, 8 tackles USM – Tyler Barnes, 5 tackles

@ Louisiana–Monroe

See also: 2017 Louisiana–Monroe Warhawks football team

Week Three: Southern Miss Golden Eagles at Louisiana–Monroe Warhawks – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Golden Eagles	7	14	7	0	28
Warhawks	0	10	7	0	17

at Malone Stadium, Monroe, LA

• Date: September 16
• Game time: 6:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: 88°F • SE 5 • Partly Cloudy
• Game attendance: 11,061
• Referee: Justin Elliot
• TV: ESPN3
• Southern Miss vs Louisiana–Monroe

Game information

First quarter 10:38 Southern Miss – Korey Robertson 15 yard pass from Kwadra Griggs (Parker Shaunfield kick), Southern Miss 7–0. Drive: 9 plays, 68 yards, 3:21 Second quarter 14:36 Louisiana–Monroe – Caleb Evans 1 yard run (Craig Ford kick), Tied 7–7. Drive: 10 plays, 76 yards, 3:39 12:05 Southern Miss – Ito Smith 27 yard run (Parker Shaunfield kick), Southern Miss 14–7. Drive: 6 plays, 74 yards, 2:31 3:17 Louisiana–Monroe – Craig Ford 19 yard field goal, Southern Miss 14–10. Drive: 9 plays, 59 yards, 4:36 1:51 Southern Miss – Korey Robertson 20 yard pass from Kwadra Griggs (Parker Shaunfield kick), Southern Miss 21–10. Drive: 5 plays, 78 yards, 1:26 Third quarter 8:55 Louisiana–Monroe – Caleb Evans 67 yard run (Craig Ford kick), Southern Miss 21–17. Drive: 1 play, 67 yards, 0:11 5:31 Southern Miss – Allenzae Staggers 42 yard pass from Kwadra Griggs (Parker Shaunfield kick), Southern Miss 28–17. Drive: 9 plays, 79 yards, 3:24 Leading Passers USM – Kwadra Griggs, 17–32, 250 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT ULM – Garret Smith, 4–9, 60 yards Leading Rushers USM – Ito Smith, 27 carries, 219 yards, 1 TD ULM – Derrick Gore, 18 carries, 96 yards Leading Receivers USM – Allanzae Staggers, 4 receptions, 75 yards, 1 TD ULM – J. Pederson, 3 receptions, 42 yards Leading Tacklers USM – Kelsey Douglas, 7 tackles ULM – David Griffith, 9 tackles

North Texas

See also: 2017 North Texas Mean Green football team

Week Five: North Texas Mean Green at Southern Miss Golden Eagles – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Mean Green	7	10	16	10	43
Golden Eagles	14	7	7	0	28

at M. M. Roberts Stadium, Hattiesburg, MS

• Date: September 30
• Game time: 6:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: 85°F • NNE 4 • Mostly Cloudy
• Game attendance: 21,907
• Referee: S. LaMantia
• TV: CUSA.TV
• Southern Miss vs North Texas

Game information

First quarter 11:44 Southern Miss – Allenzae Staggers 7 yard pass from Kwadra Griggs (Parker Shaunfield kick), Southern Miss 7–0 Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 3:16 5:38 Southern Miss – Kwadre Griggs 4 yard run (Parker Shaunfield kick), Southern Miss 14–0 Drive: 7 plays, 64 yards, 2:01 0:47 North Texas – Jeffrey Wilson 46 yard run (Trevor Moore kick), Southern Miss 14–7 Drive: 4 plays, 55 yards, 1:17 Second quarter 10:00 Southern Miss – Ito Smith 65 yard run (Parker Shaunfield kick), Southern Miss 21–7 Drive: 5 plays, 77 yards, 2:09 2:42 North Texas – Jaylen Guyton 2 yard pass from Mason Fine (Trevor Moore kick), Southern Miss 21–14 Drive: 12 plays, 95 yards, 5:11 0:00 North Texas – Trevor Moore 48 yard field goal, Southern Miss 21–17 Drive: 8 plays, 49 yards, 0:54 Third quarter 9:01 North Texas – Trevor Moore 20 yard field goal, Southern Miss 21–20 Drive: 14 plays, 72 yards, 5:59 4:08 North Texas – Rico Bussey 16 yard pass from Mason Fine (Trevor Moore kick), North Texas 27–21 Drive: 6 plays, 71 yards, 1:56 2:49 North Texas – Jeffrey Wilson 43 yard run (Mason Fine pass fail), North Texas 33–21 Drive: 3 plays, 51 yards, 0:25 0:00 Southern Miss – Ito Smith 4 yard run (Parker Shaunfield kick), North Texas 33–28 Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 2:49 Fourth quarter 11:29 North Texas – Jeffrey Wilson 6 yard run (Trevor Moore kick), North Texas 40–28 Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 3:31 4:30 North Texas – Trevor Moore 44 yard field goal, North Texas 43–28 Drive: 11 plays, 58 yards, 5:38 Leading Passers UNT – TD Mason Fine, 24-40, 366 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT USM – Kwadra Griggs, 19-42, 270 yards, 1 TD Leading Rushers UNT – Jeffrey Wilson, 30 carries, 148 yards, 3 TD USM – Ito Smith, 13 carries, 102 yards, 2 TD Leading Receivers UNT – Jalen Guyton, 14 receptions, 211 yards, 1 TD USM – Allenze Staggers, 5 receptions, 112 yards, 1 TD Leading Tacklers UNT – E. J. Ejiya, 10 tackles USM – Curtis Mikell, 12 tackles

@ UTSA

See also: 2017 UTSA Roadrunners football team

Week Six: Southern Miss Golden Eagles at UTSA Roadrunners – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Golden Eagles	7	0	14	10	31
Roadrunners	3	10	0	16	29

at Alamodome, San Antonio, TX

• Date: October 7
• Game time: 6:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: indoors
• Game attendance: 23,517
• Referee: Dan Gautreaux
• TV: STADIUM
• Southern Miss at UTSA

Game information

First quarter 11:02 UTSA – Jared Sackett 38 yard field goal, UTSA 3–0 Drive: 10 plays, 56 yards, 3:58 9:34 Southern Miss – Jay'Shaw Washington 32 yard pass from Keon Howard (Parker Shaunfield kick), Southern Miss 7–3 Drive: 4 plays, 64 yards, 1:28 Second quarter 2:52 UTSA – Joah Stewart 21 yard pass from Dalton Strum (Jared Sackett kick), UTSA 10–7 Drive: 11 plays, 92 yards, 4:56 0:32 UTSA – Jared Sackett 40 yard field goal, UTSA 13–7 Drive: 5 plays, 42 yards, 1:02 Third quarter 2:52 Southern Miss – Korey Robertson 20 yard pass from Keon Howard (Parker Shaunfield kick), Southern Miss 14–13 Drive: 4 plays, 39 yards, 1:44 1:05 Southern Miss – Quez Watkins 48 yard pass from Keon Howard (Parker Shaunfield kick), Southern Miss 21–13 Drive: 1 play, 48 yards, 0:09 Fourth quarter 13:20 Southern Miss – Ito Smith 89 yard run (Parker Shaunfield kick), Southern Miss 28–13 Drive: 1 play, 89 yards, 0:14 9:48 UTSA – Marquez McNair 28 yard pass from Strum (Sackett kick), Southern Miss 28–20 Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 3:32 7:33 UTSA – Jared Sackett 44 yard field goal, Southern Miss 28–23 Drive: 4 plays, 5 yards, 1:27 1:56 Southern Miss – Parker Shaunfield 24 yard field goal, Southern Miss 31–23 Drive: 12 plays, 69 yards, 5:37 0:48 UTSA – McNair 24 yard pass from Strum (two-point pass conv. failed), Southern Miss 31–29 Drive: 5 plays, 53 yards, 1:08 Leading Passers USM – UTSA – Leading Rushers USM – UTSA – Leading Receivers USM – UTSA – Leading Tacklers USM – UTSA –

UTEP

See also: 2017 UTEP Miners football team

Week Seven: UTEP Miners at Southern Miss Golden Eagles – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Miners	0	0	0	0	0
Golden Eagles	7	7	0	10	24

at M. M. Roberts Stadium, Hattiesburg, MS

• Date: October 14
• Game time: 6:00 p.m. CDT

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Leading Passers UTEP – USM – Leading Rushers UTEP – USM – Leading Receivers UTEP – USM – Leading Tacklers UTEP – USM –

@ Louisiana Tech

See also: 2017 Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football team and Rivalry in Dixie

Week Eight: Southern Miss Golden Eagles at Louisiana Tech Bulldogs – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	OT	2OT	Total
Golden Eagles	3	7	6	11	0	7	34
Bulldogs	3	14	0	10	0	0	27

at Joe Aillet Stadium, Ruston, LA

• Date: October 21
• Game time: 6:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: 80°F · SE 15 · Cloudy
• Game attendance: 17,815
• Referee: Ken Antee
• TV: STADIUM
• Southern Miss vs Louisiana Tech

Game information

First quarter 9:58 Louisiana Tech - J. Barnes 23 yard field goal, Louisiana Tech 3–0. Drive: 9 plays, 86 yards, 2:59 0:53 Southern Miss - Parker Shaunfield 45 yard field goal, Tied 3-3. Drive: 10 plays, 44 yards, 3:46 Second quarter 14:18 Louisiana Tech - Boston Scott 15 yard run (J. Barnes kick), Louisiana Tech 10-3. Drive: 4 plays, 65 yards, 1:35 10:36 Southern Miss - Ito Smith 23 yard pass from Keon Howard (Parker Shaunfield kick), Tied 10-10 Drive: 10 plays, 78 yards, 3:42 2:32 Louisiana Tech - Daryl Lewis 63 yard interception return (J. Barnes kick), Louisiana Tech 17-10. Third quarter 11:17 Southern Miss - Parker Shaunfield 34 yard field goal, Louisiana Tech 17-13. Drive: 7 plays, 32 yards, 2:36 0:35 Southern Miss - Parker Shaunfield 26 yard field goal, Louisiana Tech 17-16. Drive: 18 plays, 73 yards, 8:45 Fourth quarter 11:38 Louisiana Tech - J. Barnes 45 yard field goal, Louisiana Tech 20–16. Drive: 4 plays, 3 yards, 1:33 4:08 Louisiana Tech - J'Mar Smith 2 yard run (J. Barnes kick), Louisiana Tech 27-16. Drive: 5 plays, 96 yards, 2:02 1:23 Southern Miss - Parker Shaunfield 49 yard field goal, Louisiana Tech 27-19. Drive: 12 plays, 43 yards, 2:45 0:31 Southern Miss - Korey Robertson 22 yard pass from Keon Howard (Jay'Shaw Washington pass from Keon Howard), Tied 27-27 Drive: 3 plays, 63 yards, 0:52 Overtime 15:00 Southern Miss - Korey Robertson 25 yard pass from Keon Howard (Parker Shaunfield kick), Southern Miss 34-27 Drive: 1 plays, 25 yards, 0:00 Leading Passers USM – Keon Howard, 32-53, 301 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT LTU – J'Mar Smith, 11-28, 194 yards, 1 INT Leading Rushers USM – Tez Parks, 15 carries, 77 yards LTU – Boston Scott, 11 carries, 106 yards, 1 TD Leading Receivers USM – Korey Robertson, 9 receptions, 127 yards, 2 TD LSU – Marlon Watts, 121 yards Leading Tacklers USM – Tarvarias Moore, 10 tackles LSU – D. Washington, 14 tackles

UAB

See also: 2017 UAB Blazers football team

Week Nine: UAB Blazers at Southern Miss Golden Eagles – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Blazers	7	0	6	17	30
Golden Eagles	9	3	0	0	12

at M. M. Roberts Stadium, Hattiesburg, MS

• Date: October 28
• Game time: 6:00 p.m. CDT

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Leading Passers UAB – USM – Leading Rushers UAB – USM – Leading Receivers UAB – USM – Leading Tacklers UAB – USM –

@ Tennessee

See also: 2017 Tennessee Volunteers football team

Week Ten: Southern Miss Golden Eagles at Tennessee Volunteers – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Golden Eagles	0	3	0	7	10
Volunteers	7	3	14	0	24

at Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, TN

• Date: November 4
• Game time: 6:30 p.m. CDT
• Game attendance: 95,551

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Leading Passers USM – TENN – Leading Rushers USM – TENN – Leading Receivers USM – TENN – Leading Tacklers USM – TENN –

@ Rice

See also: 2017 Rice Owls football team

Week Eleven: Southern Miss Golden Eagles at Rice Owls – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Golden Eagles	10	12	14	7	43
Owls	0	14	13	7	34

at Rice Stadium, Houston, TX

• Date: November 11
• Game time: 2:30 p.m. CST
• Game attendance: 18,124

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Leading Passers USM – RU – Leading Rushers USM – RU – Leading Receivers USM – RU – Leading Tacklers USM – RU –

Charlotte

See also: 2017 Charlotte 49ers football team

Week Twelve: Charlotte 49ers at Southern Miss Golden Eagles – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
49ers	0	7	7	7	21
Golden Eagles	13	25	14	14	66

at M. M. Roberts Stadium, Hattiesburg, MS

• Date: November 18
• Game time: 2:00 p.m. CST
• Game attendance: 20,189

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Leading Passers UNCC – USM – Leading Rushers UNCC – USM – Leading Receivers UNCC – USM – Leading Tacklers UNCC – USM –

@ Marshall

See also: 2017 Marshall Thundering Herd football team

Week Thirteen: Southern Miss Golden Eagles at Marshall Thundering Herd – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Golden Eagles	0	14	7	7	28
Thundering Herd	0	14	7	6	27

at Joan C. Edwards Stadium, Huntington, WV

• Date: November 25
• Game time: 1:30 p.m. CST
• Game attendance: 18,361

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Leading Passers USM – MU – Leading Rushers USM – MU – Leading Receivers USM – MU – Leading Tacklers USM – MU –

vs Florida State–Independence Bowl

See also: 2017 Florida State Seminoles football team and 2017 Independence Bowl

Southern Miss vs Florida State (Independence Bowl) – Game summary

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Golden Eagles	6	0	7	0	13
Seminoles	7	16	10	9	42

at Independence Stadium, Shreveport, LA

• Date: December 27
• Game time: 12:30 p.m. CST
• Game attendance: 33,601

Game information
First quarter Second quarter Third quarter Fourth quarter Leading Passers USM – FSU – Leading Rushers USM – FSU – Leading Receivers USM – FSU – Leading Tacklers USM – FSU –