Sept. 3, 2008

HATTEISBURG, Miss. - The Southern Miss football team picked up two national honors this week coming off the teams 51-21 season opening victory over UL-Lafayette.

CollegeSportsReport.com named the Golden Eagles their National Team of the Week. The website stated the following:

"Questions swirled over the state of Southern Miss football ever since Larry Fedora took over the reins. Yet the first-year coach wasted little time in showing that his Eagles are ready to contend in C-USA.

"It took USM just four minutes to part the way for Damion Fletcher and an early lead over UL-Lafayette. USM rolled on to a 51-21 win over the Cajuns as Fletcher and company rushed for a team total 427 yards and five scores. Austin Davis shined under center; chipping in 206 more through the air on 14 of 21 passing that included two more touchdowns.

"Congratulations Southern Miss Golden Eagles, CollegeSportsReport.com National Team of the Week."

The Golden Eagles edged out week three opponent Arkansas State, who went to Texas A&M and upset the Aggies 18-14 in new head coach Mike Sherman's debut, for the national honors.

Also this week, Fox Sports featured its top 10 Heisman trophy hopefuls and junior running back Damion Fletcher was listed at No. 7. Fletcher rushed for a career high 222 yards and scored two touchdowns in his season opening effort.

On his first touch down run Fletcher eclipsed the 3,000 yard mark for his career becoming on the fourth Southern Miss back to reach the milestone.

The Golden Eagles return to action this weekend as the travel to Jordan-Hare Stadium to face off with the No. 9 Auburn Tigers. Kickoff is set for 11:30 a.m. and will be televised regionally by Raycom Sports. The game will also be available online by espn360.com.

-southernmiss.com-