Southern Miss
at Houston
Football Falls To Houston
11/13/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
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Nov. 13, 2005
HOUSTON, Texas - The end to Southern Miss' four game road stretch did not end as planned, as the team dropped a 27-24 decision to Houston today, snapping a six game winning streak against the Cougars.
With the loss, Southern Miss falls to 5-4 on the season, 4-2 in Conference USA. Houston improves to 5-4 overall, 3-3 in Conference USA.
Today's game was originally scheduled for Sept. 24, but Hurricane Rita forced the game to be moved to Nov. 13.
Houston had a chance to take an early 3-0 lead, but Ben Bell missed a 52-yard field goal with 12:21 to play in the first quarter.
Off the missed field goal, Southern Miss drove into Cougar territory and got a 41-yard field goal from Darren McCaleb, his 17th, which tied Steve Clark (1982) for the most in a single season.
On Houston's ensuing possession, Wayne Hardy recovered a fumble, and Dustin Almond found Josh Barnes for a nine-yard touchdown, his 17th passing touchdown of the season, the third best single-season performance in school history. It was Barnes' third receiving touchdown of the season, as Southern Miss took a 10-0 lead.
Southern Miss had a chance to add to its lead, as Kevis Coley forced a fumble on a reception by Cougar wide receiver Kendal Briles, which was recovered by Brandon Sumrall. But McCaleb missed on a 50-yard attempt, to keep the score at 10-0.
On the ensuing possession, Houston made the score 10-7, on a seven-yard run by Ryan Gilbert with 12:35 to play in the first half.
The Golden Eagles had another opportunity to add to their lead, but McCaleb missed on a 44-yard attempt.
The Cougars made the halftime score 10-10, as Bell connected on a 24-yard field goal as time expired.
Houston took its opening second half possession downfield and got a 30-yard field goal by Bell to take a 13-10 lead with 6:38 to play in the third quarter.
The Cougars made the score 20-10 on a seven-yard touchdown pass from Kevin Kolb to Vincent Marshall.
Southern Miss drove downfield on its ensuing possession, using an 11-play, 84-yard drive, getting a 43-yard reception from Almond to Tavarres Williams to the one-yard line. Cole Mason finished the drive with a one-yard touchdown, the second of his career, making the score 20-17 with 9:25 to play.
Houston answered on its next possession, as Kolb found Marshall for an 83-yard touchdown, retaking a 10-point advantage, 27-17 with 9:04 to play.
Southern Miss cut the Cougar lead to 27-24, as Almond found Barnes for a 15-yard touchdown with 2:17 to play.
The Golden Eagles then recovered an onside kick, giving them possession at the Cougar 47-yard line. But Almond fumbled the ball, and Houston was able to run out the clock.
Southern Miss returns home to face Memphis on Nov. 19, in a 7:30 p.m., contest that will be broadcast on CSTV.
Southern Miss Post Game Notes: Houston
Today's game marked the ninth meeting between Southern Miss and Houston, as the Golden Eagles fell 27-24, snapping a six game winning streak. With the loss, Southern Miss holds a 6-3 series lead
Dustin Almond became the schools third all-time leading passer today with 6,530 yards, completing 23-of-45 passes for 295 yards and two touchdowns. He passed Lee Roberts, who had 6,289 during his career from 1995-98. Almond now has 15 multiple touchdown games in his career.
With two touchdowns responsible for tonight, Almond is now one touchdown away from tying for the school record in touchdowns responsible for responsible set by Jeff Kelly (60), in his career from 1998-2001.
Dustin Almond tossed a nine-yard touchdown pass to Josh Barnes in the first quarter today, giving him 17 on the season, the third best single-season performance in school history. To move into second, Almond must pass Jeff Kelly's performance of 21 in 1999.
Darren McCaleb connected on a 41-yard field goal in the first quarter, giving him 17 this season, tying Steve Clark (1982) for the most field goals made in a season.
Southern Miss scored a touchdown of Wayne Hardy's fumble recovery in the first quarter, and have now forced 25 turnovers on the season, scoring 114 points (100 off turnovers, 14 off downs).
The Golden Eagle defense also got a forced fumble by Kevis Coley, which was recovered by Brandom Sumrall, giving them 26 turnovers. The defense also stuffed the Cougars on fourth down in the second quarter. The team did not score of either, and have now forced 26 turnovers on the season, scoring 114 points (100 points, 14 off downs). Late in the fourth quarter, Southern Miss forced a turnover and Josh Barnes caught a touchdown pass, giving Southern Miss 27 turnovers on the season. The team has now scored 121 points off turnovers (107 off turnovers, 14 off downs).
Josh Barnes caught his third touchdown of the season today on a nine-yard reception in the first quarter. Barnes added a 15-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter and becomes five Golden Eagle to post two touchdowns in a game this season (Chris Johnson, UCF), Antwon Courington (UCF), (Antwon Courington, McNeese State), and (Anthony Perine, Alabama). Barnes now has five touchdowns on the season (four receiving, one rushing).
Josh Barnes finished with a career-high game today, with seven receptions for 103 yards, the first 100-yard receiving game of his career, breaking his previous high of four catches for 53 yards against N.C. State. He became the third Golden Eagle to top the 100-yard receiving mark, joining Antwon Courington (118, East Carolina) and Chris Johnson (113, UAB).
Cole Mason scored a touchdown of the second consecutive week today, on a one-yard run in the fourth quarter. Mason had a two-yard touchdown run against Marshall on Tuesday.
Tavarres Willams caught two passes for 48 yards tonight, including the second longest pass of his career in the fourth quarter, a 43-yarder. He caught a passes for the first time since he caught a five-yard pass against UCF on Oct. 15.
Southern Miss outscored Houston 10-0 in the first quarter tonight, and have now outscored opponents 106-24 in the first quarter. Southern Miss has led after the first quarter in every game this season, Alabama (14-10), McNeese State (14-7), East Carolina (3-0), Tulsa (10-0), UCF (21-7), UAB (17-0), N.C. State (7-0) and Marshall (10-0). In addition, the team has posted six shutouts in the first quarter this season.
Eddie Willingham made the second start of his career today, starting at field cornerback.
Luke Johnson had a season-long punt of 56 yards in the third quarter today.
Southern Miss did not record an interception tonight, snapping a 13-game streak, which began against Memphis on Nov. 12, 2004.
Today's captains for Southern Miss were Chris Clark, Luke Johnson and Terrance Ford.
