2016 Southern Miss Golden Eagles football team

The 2016 Southern Miss Golden Eagles football team represented the University of Southern Mississippi in the 2016 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 first-year head coach Jay Hopson. They finished the season 7–6, 4–4 in C-USA play to finish in third place in the West Division. They were invited to the New Orleans Bowl where they defeated Louisiana–Lafayette.

2016 Southern Miss Golden Eagles football
New Orleans Bowl champion
New Orleans Bowl, W 28–21 vs. Louisiana–Lafayette
Conference	Conference USA
Division	West Division
Record	7–6 (4–4 C-USA)
Head coach	Jay Hopson (1st season)
Offensive coordinator	Shannon Dawson (1st season)
Offensive scheme	Spread
Defensive coordinator	Tony Pecoraro (1st season)
Base defense	4–3
Home stadium	M. M. Roberts Stadium
Seasons ← 2015 2017 →

2016 Conference USA football standings

v t e	Conf							Overall
Team		W		L					W		L
East Division
Western Kentucky xy$		7	–	1					11	–	3
Old Dominion x		7	–	1					10	–	3
Middle Tennessee		5	–	3					8	–	5
FIU		4	–	4					4	–	8
Charlotte		3	–	5					4	–	8
Marshall		2	–	6					3	–	9
Florida Atlantic		2	–	6					3	–	9
West Division
Louisiana Tech xy		6	–	2					9	–	5
UTSA		5	–	3					6	–	7
Southern Miss		4	–	4					7	–	6
North Texas		3	–	5					5	–	8
Rice		2	–	6					3	–	9
UTEP		2	–	6					4	–	8
Championship: Western Kentucky 58, Louisiana Tech 44
$ – Conference champion x – Division champion/co-champions y – Championship game participant Rankings from AP Poll

Schedule

Southern Miss announced its 2016 football schedule on February 4, 2016. The 2016 schedule consists of 6 home and away games in the regular season. The Golden Eagles will host C–USA foes Charlotte, Marshall, Louisiana Tech, and Rice, and will travel to North Texas, Old Dominion, UTEP, and UTSA.^[1]

The team will play four non–conference games, two home games against Savannah State from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and Troy from the Sun Belt Conference, and two road games against Kentucky and LSU both from the Southeastern Conference (SEC).

Date	Time	Opponent	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
September 3	6:30 pm	at Kentucky*	Commonwealth Stadium Lexington, KY	ESPNU	W 44–35	57,230
September 10	6:00 pm	Savannah State*	M. M. Roberts Stadium Hattiesburg, MS		W 56–0	29,509
September 17	6:00 pm	Troy*	M. M. Roberts Stadium Hattiesburg, MS	beIN	L 31–37	27,905
September 24	7:00 pm	at UTEP	Sun Bowl El Paso, TX	CI	W 34–7	21,419
October 1	6:00 pm	Rice	M. M. Roberts Stadium Hattiesburg, MS		W 44–28	28,325
October 8	11:00 am	at UTSA	Alamodome San Antonio, TX	ASN	L 32–55	19,818
October 15	6:30 pm	at LSU*	Tiger Stadium Baton Rouge, LA	SECN	L 10–45	102,164
October 29	6:00 pm	Marshall	M. M. Roberts Stadium Hattiesburg, MS	ASN	W 24–14	31,275
November 5	2:30 pm	Charlotte	M. M. Roberts Stadium Hattiesburg, MS	ASN	L 27–38	28,347
November 12	2:30 pm	at Old Dominion	Foreman Field Norfolk, VA	ASN	L 35–51	20,118
November 19	4:30 pm	at North Texas	Apogee Stadium Denton, TX	beIN	L 23–29	19,120
November 26	3:00 pm	Louisiana Tech	M. M. Roberts Stadium Hattiesburg, MS (Rivalry in Dixie)	ESPNews	W 39–24	26,164
December 17	8:00 pm	vs. Louisiana–Lafayette*	Mercedes-Benz Superdome New Orleans, LA (New Orleans Bowl)	ESPN	W 28–21	35,061
*Non-conference game Homecoming All times are in Central time

Schedule Source:^[2]

Game summaries

@ Kentucky

See also: 2016 Kentucky Wildcats football team

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

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Golden Eagles	7	10	21	6	44
Wildcats	21	14	0	0	35

at Commonwealth Stadium, Lexington, KY

• Date: September 3
• Game time: 6:30 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: 76° F • ENE 7 • Sunny
• Game attendance: 57,230
• Referee: Ken Antee
• TV: ESPNU
• Southern Miss vs Kentucky

Game information

First quarter 9:37 Southern Miss – Ito Smith 8 yard run (Parker Shaunfield kick), Southern Miss 7–0. Drive: 7 plays, 49 yards, 3:36 6:09 Kentucky – Jeff Badet 72 yard pass from Drew Barker (Austin MacGinnis kick), Tied 7–7. Drive: 2 plays, 75 yards, 0:40 4:03 Kentucky – Garrett Johnson 43 yard pass from Drew Barker (Austin MacGinnis kick), Kentucky 14–7. Drive: 2 plays, 58 yards, 0:33 0:25 Kentucky – Kayaune Ross 9 yard pass from Drew Barker (Austin MacGinnis kick), Kentucky 21–7. Drive: 7 plays, 65 yards, 2:04 Second quarter 6:55 Kentucky – Garrett Johnson 53 yard pass from Drew Barker (Austin MacGinnis kick), Kentucky 28–7. Drive: 2 plays, 49 yards, 0:24 2:46 Southern Miss – Parker Shaunfield 31 yard field goal, Kentucky 28–10. Drive: 10 plays, 64 yards, 4:02 0:56 Kentucky – Jojo Kemp 7 yard run (Austin MacGinnis kick), Kentucky 35–10. Drive: 5 plays, 64 yards, 1:42 0:26 Southern Miss – Isaiah Jones 71 yard pass from Nick Mullens (Parker Shaunfield kick), Kentucky 35–17. Drive: 3 plays, 84 yards, 0:22 Third quarter 10:36 Southern Miss – Nick Mullens 1 yard run (Parker Shaunfield kick), Kentucky 35–24. Drive: 11 plays, 84 yards, 4:20 6:45 Southern Miss – Julian Allen 18 yard pass from Nick Mullens (Parker Shaunfield kick), Kentucky 35–31. Drive: 8 plays, 66 yards, 2:39 1:01 Southern Miss – Nick Mullens 1 yard run (Parker Shaunfield kick), Southern Miss 38–35. Drive: 10 plays, 57 yards, 3:32 Fourth quarter 10:30 Southern Miss – Parker Shaunfield 49 yard field goal, Southern Miss 41–35. Drive: 12 plays, 56 yards, 4:54 2:24 Southern Miss – Parker Shaunfield 25 yard field goal, Southern Miss 44–35. Drive: 11 plays, 62 yards, 4:56 Leading Passers USM – Nick Mullens, 18–28, 258 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT UK – Drew Barker, 15–24, 323 yards, 4 TD, 1 INT Leading Rushers USM – Ito Smith, 36 carries, 173 yards, 1 TD UK – Stanley "Boom" Williams, 13 carries, 94 yards Leading Receivers USM – Isaiah Jones, 3 receptions, 93 yards, 1 TD UK – Garrett Johnson, 6 receptions, 143 yards, 2 TD Leading Tacklers USM – Bradley Dylan, 7 tackles, 1 sack UK – Jordan Jones, 19 tackles, 1 sack

Savannah State

See also: 2016 Savannah State Tigers football team

Week Two: Savannah State Tigers at Southern Miss Golden Eagles – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Tigers	0	0	0	0	0
Golden Eagles	21	28	7	0	56

at M. M. Roberts Stadium, Hattiesburg, MS

• Date: September 10
• Game time: 6:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: 92° F • 4 mph • Clear
• Game attendance: 29,509
• Referee: Justin Elliot
• Southern Miss vs Savannah State

Game information

First quarter 5:33 Southern Miss – Nick Mullens 1 yard run (Parker Shaunfield kick), Southern Miss 7–0. Drive: 12 plays, 78 yards, 4:48 1:35 Southern Miss – Korey Robertson 22 yard pass from Nick Mullens (Parker Shaunfield kick), Southern Miss 14–0. Drive: 6 plays, 47 yards, 1:44 0:00 Southern Miss – Ito Smith 86 yard run (Parker Shaunfield kick), Southern Miss 21–0. Drive: 1 play, 76 yards, 0:00 Second quarter 11:29 Southern Miss – Isaiah Jones 65 yard pass from Nick Mullens (Parker Shaunfield kick), Southern Miss 28–0. Drive: 5 plays, 85 yards, 1:58 9:47 Southern Miss – Allenzae Staggers 75 yard punt return (Parker Shaunfield kick), Southern Miss 35–0. Drive: 2 plays, 1 yard, 1:42 4:33 Southern Miss – D.J. Thompson 16 yard pass from Nick Mullens (Parker Shaunfield kick), Southern Miss 42–0. Drive: 7 plays, 68 yards, 2:46 0:43 Southern Miss – George Payne 11 yard run (Parker Shaunfield kick), Southern Miss 49–0. Drive: 5 plays, 45 yards, 1:52 Third quarter 4:20 Southern Miss – Marquise Ricard 12 yard pass from Parker Adamson (Parker Shaunfield kick), Southern Miss 56–0. Drive: 14 plays, 68 yards, 7:04 Fourth quarter No scoring Leading Passers SSU – Blake Dever, 1–7, 17 yards USM – Nick Mullens, 16–20, 216 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT Leading Rushers SSU – Keynnard Campbell, 7 carries, 24 yards USM – Ito Smith, 8 carries, 128 yards, 1 TD Leading Receivers SSU – Jeremiah Harris Jr., 2 receptions, 23 yards USM – Isaiah Jones, 3 receptions, 82 yards, 1 TD Leading Tacklers SSU – Marcus Lee Jr., 10 tackles USM – Jeremy Sangster, 5 tackles

Troy

See also: 2016 Troy Trojans football team

Week Three: Troy Trojans at Southern Miss Golden Eagles – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Trojans	17	7	10	3	37
Golden Eagles	7	10	14	0	31

at M. M. Roberts Stadium, Hattiesburg, MS

• Date: September 17
• Game time: 6:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: 78° F • 10 mph • Storming
• Game attendance: 27,905
• Referee: James McArthur
• TV: beIN
• Southern Miss vs Troy

Game information

First quarter 11:24 Southern Miss – Devonta Foster 61 yard interception return (Parker Shaunfield kick), Southern Miss 7–0. Drive: 3 plays, 9 yards, 1:09 8:47 Troy – Deondre Douglas 34 yard pass from Brandon Silvers (Ryan Kay kick), Tied 7–7. Drive: 7 plays, 74 yards, 2:44 8:24 Troy – Emanuel Thompson 29 yard pass from Brandon Silvers (Ryan Kay kick), Troy 14–7. Drive: 2 plays, 29 yards, 0:16 5:22 Troy – Ryan Kay 30 yard field goal, Troy 17–7. Drive: 4 plays, -3 yards, 2:16 Second quarter 14:47 Southern Miss – Parker Shaunfield 41 yard field goal, Troy 17–10. Drive: 8 plays, 34 yards, 1:57 9:09 Troy – Andre Flakes 11 yard pass from Brandon Silvers (Ryan Kay kick), Troy 24–10. Drive: 2 plays, 13 yards, 0:28 0:08 Southern Miss – Ito Smith 2 yard run (Parker Shaunfield kick), Troy 24–17. Drive: 7 plays, 78 yards, 1:04 Third quarter 14:38 Southern Miss – Ito Smith 70 yard run (Parker Shaunfield kick), Tied 24–24. Drive: 1 play, 70 yards, 0:22 10:06 Troy – Ryan Kay 42 yard field goal, Troy 27–24. Drive: 5 plays, 24 yards, 2:11 6:12 Troy – Jordan Chunn 39 yard run (Ryan Kay kick), Troy 34–24. Drive: 2 plays, 49 yards, 0:23 0:28 Southern Miss – Allenzae Staggers 16 yard pass from Nick Mullens (Parker Shaunfield kick), Troy 34–31. Drive: 7 plays, 48 yards, 1:43 Fourth quarter 10:21 Troy – Ryan Kay 43 yard field goal, Troy 37–31. Drive: 4 plays, 0 yards, 1:27 Leading Passers TU – Brandon Silvers, 10–27, 123 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT USM – Nick Mullens, 24–52, 263 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT Leading Rushers TU – Jordan Chunn, 36 carries, 176 yards, 1 TD USM – Ito Smith, 20 carries, 131 yards, 2 TD Leading Receivers TU – Emanuel Thompson, 5 receptions, 53 yards, 1 TD USM – Allenzae Staggers, 6 receptions, 98 yards, 1 TD Leading Tacklers TU – Josh Marshall, 7 tackles USM – Dylan Bradley, 9 tackles

@ UTEP

See also: 2016 UTEP Miners football team

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

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Golden Eagles	3	21	7	3	34
Miners	7	0	0	0	7

at Sun Bowl, El Paso, TX

• Date: September 24
• Game time: 7:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: 83° F • WSW 15 • Partly cloudy
• Game attendance: 21,419
• Referee: Rodney Burnette
• TV: CI
• Southern Miss vs UTEP

Game information

First quarter 9:20 Southern Miss – Parker Shaunfield 34 yard field goal, Southern Miss 3–0. Drive: 13 plays, 59 yards, 5:40 5:37 Texas–El Paso – Aaron Jones 68 yard run (Jay Mattox kick), UTEP 7–3. Drive: 2 plays, 93 yards, 0:42 Second quarter 6:39 Southern Miss – D.J. Thompson 6 yard pass from Nick Mullens (Parker Shaunfield kick), Southern Miss 10–7. Drive: 7 plays, 73 yards, 3:05 3:57 Southern Miss – Ito Smith 28 yard pass from Nick Mullens (Parker Shaunfield kick), Southern Miss 17–7. Drive: 1 play, 28 yards, 0:09 1:30 Southern Miss – Allenzae Staggers 3 yard pass from Nick Mullens (Parker Shaunfield kick), Southern Miss 24–7. Drive: 5 plays, 47 yards, 1:44 Third quarter 8:01 Southern Miss – Curtis Mikell 100 yard interception return (Parker Shaunfield kick), Southern Miss 31–7. Drive: 6 plays, 48 yards, 3:25 Fourth quarter 12:01 Southern Miss – Parker Shaunfield 46 yard field goal, Southern Miss 34–7. Drive: 4 plays, 4 yards, 0:56 Leading Passers USM – Nick Mullens, 16–27, 176 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT UTEP – Zach Greenlee, 7–14, 62 yards, 2 INT Leading Rushers USM – Ito Smith, 16 carries, 108 yards UTEP – Aaron Jones, 16 carries, 127 yards, 1 TD Leading Receivers USM – D.J. Thompson, 4 receptions, 48 yards, 1 TD UTEP – Cole Freytag, 1 reception, 33 yards Leading Tacklers USM – D'Nerius Antoine, 8 tackles UTEP – Mike Sota, 9 tackles

Rice

See also: 2016 Rice Owls football team

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

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Owls	0	7	7	14	28
Golden Eagles	3	10	21	10	44

at M. M. Roberts Stadium, Hattiesburg, MS

• Date: October 1
• Game time: 6:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: 80° F • 5 mph • Clear
• Game attendance: 28,325
• Referee: Stephen Lamantia
• Southern Miss vs Rice

Game information

First quarter 3:55 Southern Miss – Parker Shaunfield 22 yard field goal, Southern Miss 3–0. Drive: 11 plays, 78 yards, 3:54 Second quarter 9:03 Rice – Samuel Stewart 7 yard pass from Tyler Stehling (Haden Tobola kick), Rice 7–3. Drive: 9 plays, 56 yards, 2:42 8:52 Southern Miss – Allenzae Staggers 75 yard pass from Nick Mullens (Parker Shaunfield kick), Southern Miss 10–7. Drive: 1 play, 75 yards, 0:11 1:13 Southern Miss – Parker Shaunfield 42 yard field goal, Southern Miss 13–7. Drive: 6 plays, 72 yards, 1:55 Third quarter 14:09 Southern Miss – Allenzae Staggers 81 yard pass from Nick Mullens (Parker Shaunfield kick), Southern Miss 20–7. Drive: 3 plays, 74 yards, 0:51 10:41 Rice – Samuel Stewart 24 yard run (Haden Tobola kick), Southern Miss 20–14. Drive: 3 plays, 63 yards, 1:01 9:46 Southern Miss – Allenzae Staggers 93 yard pass from Nick Mullens (Parker Shaunfield kick), Southern Miss 27–14. 'Drive: 2 plays, 92 yards, 0:55 2:31 Southern Miss – Ito Smith 2 yard run (Parker Shaunfield kick), Southern Miss 34–14. Drive: 9 plays, 48 yards, 3:43 Fourth quarter 14:52 Rice – Zach Wright 11 yard pass from Tyler Stehling (Haden Tobola kick), Southern Miss 34–21. Drive: 6 plays, 68 yards, 2:39 12:37 Southern Miss – D.J. Thompson 9 yard pass from Nick Mullens (Parker Shaunfield kick), Southern Miss 41–21. Drive: 6 plays, 67 yards, 2:15 10:59 Rice – Samuel Stewart 17 yard run (Haden Tobola kick), Southern Miss 41–28. Drive: 5 plays, 65 yards, 1:38 6:11 Southern Miss – Parker Shaunfield 43 yard field goal, Southern Miss 44–28. Drive: 12 plays, 56 yards, 4:48 Leading Passers RU – Tyler Stehling, 14–18, 100 yards, 2 TD USM – Nick Mullens, 25–36, 591 yards, 4 TD, 1 INT Leading Rushers RU – Samuel Stewart, 19 carries, 132 yards, 2 TD USM – Ito Smith, 19 carries, 77 yards, 1 TD Leading Receivers RU – Temi Alaka, 2 receptions, 66 yards USM – Allenzae Staggers, 6 receptions, 292 yards, 3 TD Leading Tacklers RU – Emmanuel Ellerbee, 10 tackles USM – D'Nerius Antoine, 11 tackles

@ UTSA

See also: 2016 UTSA Roadrunners football team

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

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Golden Eagles	7	14	3	8	32
Roadrunners	28	10	7	10	55

at Alamodome, San Antonio, TX

• Date: October 8
• Game time: 11:00 a.m. CDT
• Game weather: 72° F • Indoors
• Game attendance: 19,818
• Referee: Joe Pester
• TV: ASN
• Southern Miss vs UTSA

Game information

First quarter 13:38 Texas–San Antonio – Kerry Thomas Jr. 71 yard pass from Dalton Sturm (Victor Falcon kick), Texas–San Antonio 7–0. Drive: 3 plays, 75 yards, 1:22 11:45 Texas–San Antonio – Jarveon Williams 3 yard run (Victor Falcon kick), Texas–San Antonio 14–0. Drive: 2 plays, 80 yards, 0:30 7:15 Texas–San Antonio – Jalen Rhodes 4 yard run (Victor Falcon kick), Texas–San Antonio 21–0. Drive: 6 plays, 57 yards, 3:10 3:08 Southern Miss – Jay'Shawn Washington 17 yard pass from Nick Mullens (Parker Shaunfield kick), Texas–San Antonio 21–7. Drive: 10 plays, 84 yards, 4:07 0:20 Texas–San Antonio – Jarveon Williams 6 yard run (Victor Falcon kick), Texas–San Antonio 28–7. Drive: 5 plays, 82 yards, 2:48 Second quarter 11:33 Southern Miss – Ito Smith 1 yard run (Parker Shaunfield kick), Texas–San Antonio 28–14. Drive: 10 plays, 79 yards, 3:47 7:26 Texas–San Antonio – Jalen Rhodes 80 yard run (Victor Falcon kick), Texas–San Antonio 35–14. Drive: 1 play, 80 yards, 0:13 3:24 Southern Miss – D.J. Thompson 35 yard pass from Nick Mullens (Parker Shaunfield kick), Texas–San Antonio 35–21. Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 4:02 0:00 Texas–San Antonio – Victor Falcon 45 yard field goal, Texas–San Antonio 38–21. Drive: 6 plays, 34 yards, 3:24 Third quarter 9:10 Southern Miss – Parker Shaunfield 28 yard field goal, Texas–San Antonio 38–24. Drive: 13 plays, 75 yards, 5:50 6:23 Texas–San Antonio – Matt Guidry 20 yard run (Victor Falcon kick), Texas–San Antonio 45–24. Drive: 6 plays, 57 yards, 2:47 Fourth quarter 10:50 Texas–San Antonio – Victor Falcon 26 yard field goal, Texas–San Antonio 48–24. Drive: 4 plays, 5 yards, 1:40 6:47 Southern Miss – Chase Whitehead 33 yard pass from Nick Mullens (Nick Mullens pass to Julian Allen for two-point conv.), Texas–San Antonio 48–32. Drive: 13 plays, 86 yards, 4:03 1:57 Texas–San Antonio – Jalen Rhodes 3 yard run (Victor Falcon kick), Texas–San Antonio 55–32. Drive: 4 plays, 85 yards, 1:18 Leading Passers USM – Nick Mullens, 24–47, 370 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT UTSA – Dalton Storm, 10–12, 193 yards, 1 TD Leading Rushers USM – Ito Smith, 20 carries, 94 yards, 1 TD UTSA – Jalen Rhodes, 14 carries, 165 yards, 3 TD Leading Receivers USM – Allenzae Staggers, 6 receptions, 92 yards UTSA – Josh Stewart, 2 receptions, 85 yards Leading Tacklers USM – Dylan Bradley, 6 tackles UTSA – Josiah Tauaefa, 12 tackles

@ LSU

See also: 2016 LSU Tigers football team

Week Seven: Southern Miss Golden Eagles at LSU Tigers – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Golden Eagles	7	3	0	0	10
Tigers	7	3	28	7	45

at Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, LA

• Date: October 15
• Game time: 6:30 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: 81° F • ESE 8 • Partly cloudy
• Game attendance: 102,164
• Referee: James Carter
• TV: SECN
• Southern Miss vs LSU

Game information

First quarter 6:58 Southern Miss – Ito Smith 1 yard run (Parker Shaunfield kick), Southern Miss 7–0. Drive: 15 plays, 75 yards, 8:02 2:22 LSU – D.J. Chark 19 yard run (Colby Delahoussaye kick), Tied 7–7. Drive: 3 plays, 55 yards, 1:05 Second quarter 14:05 LSU – Colby Delahoussaye 38 yard field goal, LSU 10–7. Drive: 5 plays, 36 yards, 1:38 8:28 Southern Miss – Parker Shaunfield 37 yard field goal, Tied 10–10. Drive: 11 plays, 62 yards, 5:29 Third quarter 13:22 LSU – Derrius Guice 61 yard run (Colby Delahoussaye kick), LSU 17–10. Drive: 3 plays, 70 yards, 1:32 10:50 LSU – Derrius Guice 20 yard run (Colby Delahoussaye kick), LSU 24–10. Drive: 2 plays, 22 yards, 0:54 4:20 LSU – D.J. Chark 80 yard pass from Danny Etling (Colby Delahoussaye kick), LSU 31–10. Drive: 1 play, 80 yards, 0:14 1:58 LSU – Malachi Dupre 63 yard pass from Danny Etling (Colby Delahoussaye kick), LSU 38–10. Drive: 1 play, 63 yards, 0:10 Fourth quarter 5:16 LSU – Malachi Dupre 23 yard pass from Danny Etling (Jack Gonsoulin kick), LSU 45–10. Drive: 7 plays, 87 yards, 4:20 Leading Passers USM – Nick Mullens, 25–36, 161 yards LSU – Danny Etling, 11–18, 276 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT Leading Rushers USM – Ito Smith, 16 carries, 64 yards, 1 TD LSU – Derrius Guice, 16 carries, 162 yards, 2 TD Leading Receivers USM – Ito Smith, 6 receptions, 46 yards LSU – Malachi Dupre, 3 receptions, 100 yards, 2 TD Leading Tacklers USM – Elijah Parker, 7 tackles LSU – Kendell Beckwith, 15 tackles

Marshall

See also: 2016 Marshall Thundering Herd football team

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

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Thundering Herd	0	7	0	7	14
Golden Eagles	7	3	0	14	24

at M. M. Roberts Stadium, Hattiesburg, MS

• Date: October 29
• Game time: 6:00 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: 83° F • S 3 • Clear, humidity 36%
• Game attendance: 31,275
• Referee: Dan Gautreaux
• TV: ASN
• Southern Miss vs Marshall

Game information

First quarter 9:29 Southern Miss – Ito Smith 1 yard run (Parker Shaunfield kick), Southern Miss 7–0. Drive: 15 plays, 75 yards, 5:31 Second quarter 14:07 Southern Miss – Parker Shaunfield 44 yard field goal, Southern Miss 10–0. Drive: 6 plays, 56 yards, 1:32 6:47 Marshall – Keion Davis 5 yard run (Amoreto Curraj kick), Southern Miss 10–7. Drive: 8 plays, 89 yards, 3:12 Third quarter No Scoring Fourth quarter 12:08 Southern Miss – Allenzae Staggers 4 yard pass from Nick Mullens (Parker Shaunfield kick), Southern Miss 17–7. Drive: 10 plays, 83 yards, 2:58 4:23 Southern Miss – Ito Smith 40 yard run (Parker Shaunfield kick), Southern Miss 24–7. Drive: 4 plays, 64 yards, 1:30 2:26 Marshall – Michael Clark 44 yard pass from Chase Litton (Amoreto Curraj kick), Southern Miss 24–14. Drive: 4 plays, 53 yards, 1:47 Leading Passers MU – Chase Litton, 20–34, 166 yards, 1 TD USM – Nick Mullens, 22–40, 300 yards, 1 TD Leading Rushers MU – Keion Davis, 11 carries, 52 yards, 1 TD USM – Ito Smith, 20 carries, 140 yards, 2 TD Leading Receivers MU – Josh Knight, 6 receptions, 47 yards USM – Allenzae Staggers, 7 receptions, 99 yards, 1 TD Leading Tacklers MU – Frankie Hernandez, 8 tackles USM – Cornell Armstrong, 8 tackles

Charlotte

See also: 2016 Charlotte 49ers football team

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

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
49ers	7	21	10	0	38
Golden Eagles	14	0	0	13	27

at M. M. Roberts Stadium, Hattiesburg, MS

• Date: November 5
• Game time: 2:30 p.m. CDT
• Game weather: 77° F • 3 mph • Clear
• Game attendance: 28,347
• Referee: Jay Edwards
• TV: ASN
• Southern Miss vs Charlotte

Game information

First quarter 10:33 Charlotte – Hasaan Klugh 7 yard run (Blake Brewer kick), Charlotte 7–0. Drive: 3 plays, 80 yards, 1:20 5:45 Southern Miss – Korey Robertson 3 yard pass from Nick Mullens (Parker Shaunfield kick), Tied 7–7. Drive: 3 plays, 35 yards, 1:15 0:35 Southern Miss – Chase Whitehead 78 yard pass from Nick Mullens (Parker Shaunfield kick), Southern Miss 14–7. Drive: 2 plays, 78 yards, 0:19 Second quarter 13:29 Charlotte – Robert Washington 58 yard run (Blake Brewer kick), Tied 14–14. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 2:06 1:46 Charlotte – Chris Montgomery 9 yard run (Blake Brewer kick), Charlotte 21–14. Drive: 12 plays, 99 yards, 4:32 0:35 Charlotte – T.L. Ford II 18 yard pass from Hasaan Klugh (Blake Brewer kick), Charlotte 28–14. Drive: 1 play, 18 yards, 0:06 Third quarter 9:29 Charlotte – Blake Brewer 22 yard field goal, Charlotte 31–14. Drive: 15 plays, 68 yards, 5:31 3:18 Charlotte – Ed Rolle 0 yard blocked punt return (Blake Brewer kick), Charlotte 38–14. Drive: 3 plays, -1 yard, 1:39 Fourth quarter 14:11 Southern Miss – Ito Smith 8 yard run (Parker Adamson two-point pass conv. failed), Charlotte 38–20. Drive: 11 plays, 90 yards, 4:07 4:56 Southern Miss – Parker Adamson 2 yard run (Parker Shaunfield kick), Charlotte 38–27. Drive: 19 plays, 99 yards, 4:52 Leading Passers UNCC – Hasaan Klugh, 11–24, 127 yards, 1 TD USM – Nick Mullens, 19–25, 249 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT Leading Rushers UNCC – Kalif Phillips, 29 carries, 183 yards USM – Ito Smith, 15 carries, 69 yards, 1 TD Leading Receivers UNCC – Workpeh Kofa, 2 receptions, 57 yards USM – Chase Whitehead, 2 receptions, 84 yards, 1 TD Leading Tacklers UNCC – Nick Cook, 10 tackles USM – D'Nerius Antoine, 12 tackles

@ Old Dominion

See also: 2016 Old Dominion Monarchs football team

Week Eleven: Southern Miss Golden Eagles at Old Dominion Monarchs – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Golden Eagles	0	7	14	14	35
Monarchs	21	14	7	9	51

at Foreman Field, Norfolk, VA

• Date: November 12
• Game time: 2:30 p.m. CST
• Game weather: 48° F • NNE 6 • Sunny
• Game attendance: 20,118
• Referee: Ken Antee
• TV: ASN
• Southern Miss vs Old Dominion

Game information

First quarter 11:02 Old Dominion – Ray Lawry 2 yard run (Brad Davis kick), Old Dominion 7–0. Drive: 3 plays, 5 yards, 0:47 9:45 Old Dominion – Ray Lawry 2 yard run (Brad Davis kick), Old Dominion 14–0. Drive: 3 plays, 28 yards, 1:04 3:58 Old Dominion – Jeremy Cox 3 yard run (Brad Davis kick), Old Dominion 21–0. Drive: 3 plays, 43 yards, 1:02 Second quarter 10:05 Southern Miss – Keon Howard 2 yard run (Stephen Brauchle kick), Old Dominion 21–7. Drive: 8 plays, 64 yards, 3:54 6:55 Old Dominion – Jonathan Duhart 5 yard pass from David Washington (Brad Davis kick), Old Dominion 28–7. Drive: 6 plays, 62 yards, 3:04 1:19 Old Dominion – Travis Fulgham 39 yard pass from David Washington (Brad Davis kick), Old Dominion 35–7. Drive: 4 plays, 92 yards, 2:05 Third quarter 11:29 Old Dominion – Jeremy Cox 67 yard run (Brad Davis kick), Old Dominion 42–7. Drive: 3 plays, 69 yards, 0:53 6:54 Southern Miss – Ito Smith 1 yard run (Stephen Brauchle kick), Old Dominion 42–14. Drive: 11 plays, 73 yards, 4:30 0:07 Southern Miss – Ito Smith 2 yard run (Stephen Brauchle kick), Old Dominion 42–21. Drive: 12 plays, 82 yards, 4:34 Fourth quarter 9:55 Southern Miss – Ito Smith 1 yard run (Stephen Brauchle kick), Old Dominion 42–28. Drive: 8 plays, 93 yards, 2:36 7:44 Old Dominion – Safety, Old Dominion 44–28. Drive: 3 plays, -15 yards, 0:55 4:13 Old Dominion – Rashaad Coward 7 yard fumble return (Brad Davis kick), Old Dominion 51–28. Drive: 3 plays, -29 yards, 1:27 3:53 Southern Miss – Marquise Ricard 55 yard pass from Keon Howard (Stephen Brauchle kick), Old Dominion 51–35. Drive: 1 play, 55 yards, 0:13 Leading Passers USM – Keon Howard, 12–24, 230 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT ODU – David Washington, 12–18, 144 yards, 2 TD Leading Rushers USM – Keon Howard, 28 carries, 98 yards, 1 TD ODU – Jeremy Cox, 4 carries, 77 yards, 2 TD Leading Receivers USM – Marquise Ricard, 3 receptions, 84 yards, 1 TD ODU – Jonathan Duhart, 5 receptions, 52 yards, 1 TD Leading Tacklers USM – D'Nerius Antoine, 7 tackles ODU – Anthony Wilson, 17 tackles

@ North Texas

See also: 2016 North Texas Mean Green football team

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

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Golden Eagles	7	0	13	3	23
Mean Green	17	0	3	9	29

at Apogee Stadium, Denton, TX

• Date: November 19
• Game time: 4:30 p.m. CST
• Game weather: 56° F • N 7 • Sunny
• Game attendance: 19,120
• Referee: Dan Gautreaux
• TV: beIN
• Southern Miss vs North Texas

Game information

First quarter 8:12 North Texas – Trevor Moore 26 yard field goal, North Texas 3–0. Drive: 7 plays, 65 yards, 2:11 3:16 North Texas – Turner Smiley 17 yard pass from Alec Morris (Trevor Moore kick), North Texas 10–0. Drive: 7 plays, 60 yards, 3:07 1:22 North Texas – Turner Smiley 55 yard pass from Alec Morris (Trevor Moore kick), North Texas 17–0. Drive: 1 play, 55 yards, 0:10 Second quarter 10:42 North Texas – Trevor Moore 39 yard field goal, North Texas 20–0. Drive: 8 plays, 73 yards, 2:52 0:25 Southern Miss – Ito Smith 1 yard run (Stephen Brauchle kick), North Texas 20–7. Drive: 3 plays, 53 yards, 0:57 Third quarter 13:44 Southern Miss – Ito Smith 2 yard run (Stephen Brauchle kick failed), North Texas 20–13. Drive: 3 plays, 75 yards, 1:16 9:07 Southern Miss – George Payne 16 yard run (Stephen Brauchle kick), Tied 20–20. Drive: 8 plays, 66 yards, 3:03 Fourth quarter 9:39 Southern Miss – Stephen Brauchle 25 yard field goal, Southern Miss 23–20. Drive: 5 plays, 4 yards, 1:25 7:34 North Texas – Willy Ivery 11 yard run (Trevor Moore kick), North Texas 27–23. Drive: 6 plays, 65 yards, 2:05 3:08 North Texas – Safety, North Texas 29–23. Drive: 4 plays, -4 yards, 0:43 Leading Passers USM – Keon Howard, 10–26, 135 yards, 3 INT UNT – Alec Morris, 14–29, 267 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT Leading Rushers USM – Ito Smith, 19 carries, 113 yards, 2 TD UNT – Willy Ivery, 18 carries, 111 yards, 1 TD Leading Receivers USM – Ito Smith, 3 receptions, 67 yards UNT – Turner Smiley, 7 receptions, 162 yards, 2 TD Leading Tacklers USM – D'Nerius Antoine, 9 tackles UNT – Kishawn McClain, 8 tackles

Louisiana Tech

See also: 2016 Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football team and Rivalry in Dixie

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

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Bulldogs	7	10	0	7	24
Golden Eagles	10	13	6	10	39

at M. M. Roberts Stadium, Hattiesburg, MS

• Date: November 26
• Game time: 3:00 p.m. CST
• Game weather: 73° F • N 4 • Sunny
• Game attendance: 26,164
• Referee: Rodney Burnette
• TV: ESPNews
• Southern Miss vs Louisiana Tech

Game information

First quarter 10:41 Southern Miss – Keon Howard 9 yard run (Stephen Brauchle kick), Southern Miss 7–0. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 4:19 6:08 Louisiana Tech – Jarred Craft 5 yard run (Jonathan Barnes kick), Tied 7–7. Drive: 9 plays, 67 yards, 4:33 1:28 Southern Miss – Stephen Brauchle 22 yard field goal, Southern Miss 10–7. Drive: 10 plays, 42 yards, 4:40 Second quarter 14:12 Louisiana Tech – Xavier Woods 30 yard fumble return (Jonathan Barnes kick), Louisiana Tech 14–10. Drive: 3 plays, -5 yards, 1:07 9:40 Southern Miss – D.J. Thompson 21 yard pass from Nick Mullens (Stephen Brauchle kick), Southern Miss 17–14. Drive: 8 plays, 91 yards, 4:32 3:14 Southern Miss – D.J. Thompson 8 yard pass from Nick Mullens (Stephen Brauchle kick blocked), Southern Miss 23–14. Drive: 6 plays, 89 yards, 3:12 0:36 Louisiana Tech – Jonathan Barnes 31 yard field goal, Southern Miss 23–17. Drive: 8 plays, 56 yards, 2:38 Third quarter 1:19 Southern Miss – Korey Robertson 6 yard pass from Nick Mullens (two-point pass conv. failed), Southern Miss 29–17. Drive: 11 plays, 89 yards, 5:58 Fourth quarter 7:48 Southern Miss – Stephen Brauchle 25 yard field goal, Southern Miss 32–17. Drive: 5 plays, 28 yards, 2:48 2:19 Southern Miss – Nick Mullens 1 yard run (Stephen Brauchle kick), Southern Miss 39–17. Drive: 4 plays, 1 yard, 1:11 0:57 Louisiana Tech – Jarred Craft 2 yard run (Jonathan Barnes kick), Southern Miss 39–24. Drive: 5 plays, 45 yards, 1:22 Leading Passers LTU – Ryan Higgins, 22–39, 246 yards, 3 INT USM – Nick Mullens, 29–33, 342 yards, 3 TD Leading Rushers LTU – Jared Craft, 9 carries, 17 yards, 2 TD USM – Ito Smith, 24 carries, 127 yards Leading Receivers LTU – Trent Taylor, 10 receptions, 119 yards USM – D.J. Thompson, 12 receptions, 135 yards, 2 TD Leading Tacklers LTU – Xavier Woods, 12 tackles USM – Picasso Nelson Jr., 9 tackles

Louisiana–Lafayette (New Orleans Bowl)

See also: 2016 Louisiana–Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns football team and 2016 New Orleans Bowl

New Orleans Bowl: Southern Miss vs. Louisiana–Lafayette – Game summary

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Golden Eagles	14	0	7	7	28
Ragin' Cajuns	7	7	0	7	21

at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, LA

• Date: December 17
• Game time: 8:00 p.m. CST
• Game weather: 74° F • S 12 • Indoors
• Game attendance: 35,061
• Referee: Tom Stapleton
• TV: ESPN
• Southern Miss vs Louisiana–Lafayette (New Orleans Bowl)

Game information

First quarter 9:39 Southern Miss – Ito Smith 11 yard run (Parker Shaunfield kick), Southern Miss 7–0. Drive: 3 plays, 67 yards, 0:57 7:17 Southern Miss – Ito Smith 6 yard pass from Nick Mullens (Parker Shaunfield kick), Southern Miss 14–0. Drive: 3 plays, 70 yards, 1:12 3:15 Louisiana–Lafayette – Anthony Jennings 4 yard run (Stevie Artigue kick), Southern Miss 14–7. Drive: 9 plays, 66 yards, 3:55 Second quarter 7:28 Louisiana–Lafayette – Dion Ray 12 yard run (Stevie Artigue kick), Tied 14–14. Drive: 2 plays, 29 yards, 0:30 Third quarter 10:42 Southern Miss – Allenzae Staggers 5 yard pass from Nick Mullens (Parker Shaunfield kick), Southern Miss 21–14. Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 4:18 Fourth quarter 12:26 Southern Miss – Ito Smith 1 yard run (Parker Shaunfield kick), Southern Miss 28–14. Drive: 14 plays, 83 yards, 6:14 5:10 Louisiana–Lafayette –Anthony Jennings 3 yard run (Stevie Artigue kick), Southern Miss 28–21. Drive: 5 plays, 19 yards, 2:10 Leading Passers USM – Nick Mullens, 25–40, 346 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT ULL – Anthony Jennings, 8–20, 95 yards, 1 INT Leading Rushers USM – Ito Smith, 26 carries, 138 yards, 2 TD ULL – Elijah McGuire, 17 carries, 99 yards Leading Receivers USM – Allenzae Staggers, 11 receptions, 230 yards, 1 TD ULL – Al Riles, 5 receptions, 64 yards Leading Tacklers USM – Jaboorie Poole, 9 tackles ULL – Christian Goodlet, 7 tackles

Team players drafted in the NFL

Player	Position	Round	Pick	NFL club
Mike Thomas	Wide receiver	6	31	Los Angeles Rams
Kalan Reed	Defensive back	7	32	Tennessee Titans

^[3]

References

1. "Southern Miss Announces 2016 Football Schedule" (Press release). The University of Southern Mississippi Department of Athletics. February 4, 2016. Retrieved February 8, 2016.
2. "2016 Southern Miss Golden Eagles Football Schedule". FB Schedules. Retrieved February 8, 2016.
3. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/draft/2016.htm ^{[dead link]}