University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Football Defeats USF, Remains Undefeated
10/2/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
Files associated with this release:
Southern Miss - USF Game Stats
Football Defeats USF, Remains Undefeated
HATTIESBURG, Miss.? Southern Miss? defense had another big night, forcing four turnovers, all on interceptions, as it defeated USF for the final time in Conference USA, 27-20 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla.
With the win, Southern Miss improves to 3-0 on the season, 2-0 in Conference
The Golden Eagles racked up 21 first downs and 312 yards of total offense. Southern Miss also converted on nine of 19 third downs. The Southern Miss defense limited USF to just 205 yards of total offense. The Golden Eagles also held the edge in time of possession, 36:28 to 23:32.
Southern Miss took its first lead of the game on its first possession, using an 11-play, 64-yard drive, resulting in a Darren McCaleb 24-yard field goal.
USF tied the game at 3-3 on a 41-yard field goal by Santiago Gramatica with
Junior John Eubanks recorded the team?s first interception of the game with USF driving in Southern Miss territory. The Golden Eagles took advantage on their ensuing offensive possession, getting a 41-yard field goal from McCaleb, extending their lead to 6-3 with
On USF?s ensuing drive, Southern Miss junior defensive back Darrell Bennett recorded the Golden Eagles? second interception of the contest, picking off USF quarterback Pat Julmiste?s pass, giving the Golden Eagles good field position at the USF 49-yard line.
The Golden Eagles would pick up three first downs on the drive, eventually reaching a third and goal situation at the USF one-yard line. Quarterback Dustin Almond found senior tight end Otho Graves for the game?s first touchdown on that play. McCaleb?s extra-point gave the Golden Eagles the 13-3 lead at halftime.
Southern Miss used a six-play, 80-yard drive to open the second half, as Almond tossed a 45-yard touchdown pass to senior Marvin Young, as the Golden Eagles extended their lead to 20-3.
USF stopped Southern Miss on a fourth down and inches play, and used scored a touchdown on its ensuing drive, a one-yard run by Andre Hall, cutting the Golden Eagle lead to 20-10 with
The Bulls found themselves with a first and goal situation at the Southern Miss two-yard line with 12:07 to play in the game, but the Southern Miss defense held firm, limiting the Bulls to a field goal, a 21-yarder by Gramatica that made the score 20-13 with 10:38 remaining.
With USF driving close to midfield, sophomore Caleb Hendrix recorded the team?s third interception of the game, giving the Golden Eagles good field position at the USF 23-yard line. Junior Anthony Harris ran 11 yards for the touchdown, giving the Golden Eagles a 27-13 lead.
USF drove to the Southern Miss eight-yard line on its next possession, but senior Michael Boley recorded the team?s final interception of the night, ending the drive.
The Bulls got a nine-yard touchdown pass from Julmiste to S.J. Green with 1:38 remaining in the game, that made the final score 27-20.
Almond finished the game with 200 passing yards and two touchdowns, completing 14-of-27 passes. Harris finished with 65 yards on 25 carries and a touchdown, while Sherron Moore had nine carries for 48 yards. Almond also had 43 rushing yards.
Young finished with 93 receiving yards on six catches and a touchdown. DaRon Lawrence and Antwon Courington each caught two passes, for 33 and 23 yards respectively.
Kevis Coley led the defense with nine total tackles, including seven solos and two assists, also recording a sack and a tackle for a loss. Antoine Cash, Akeem Lockett, and Chad Ruffin each had one and a half tackles for a loss.
Boley, Eubanks, Bennett, and Hendrix each recorded interceptions on the night.
Southern Miss will return to action this Thursday, Oct. 7, in its first home game of the season, hosting
