University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Football Falls In Season Opener To Alabama, 30-21
9/10/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Files associated with this release:
Southern Miss-Alabama Box Score
Southern Miss Overall Stats
Football Falls In Season Opener To Alabama, 30-21
TUSCALOOSA,
With the loss, Southern Miss starts its season 0-1 for the first time since the 2003 season, when it dropped a 34-2 decision at
The Crimson Tide extended their lead to 10-0 with 6:41 to play in the first quarter, on a 33-yard field goal by Jamie Christensen.
Southern Miss got its first score of the contest, as Gerald McRath intercepted a Croyle pass and returned it 32 yards for the touchdown. With McRath?s interception touchdown return, Southern Miss has returned an interception for a score in two consecutive contests, as Michael Boley returned a 64-yarder in the Wyndham New Orleans Bowl last season. It was also Southern Miss? first touchdown against
Southern Miss took its first lead over
The Golden Eagles extended their lead to 21-10 with 10:19 remaining before halftime, as Almond found Perine again for a touchdown, a 37-yard score. Perine became the first Golden Eagle receiver to post two touchdowns in a game since Marvin Young scored two against Louisiana-Lafayette (11/1/03). Perine also became the first Southern Miss receiver to score two touchdown against
With under a minute remaining in the half,
The Crimson Tide closed out the score thanks to an 11-play, 85-yard drive, that ended with a two-yard touchdown run by Castille, his second of the game. Southern Miss had a chance to get closer with 7:46 remaining, but Darren McCaleb?s field goal attempt from 45 yards went wide left.
On the positive side for the Golden Eagles, senior wide receiver Antwon Courington had his 24th straight game with a catch, keeping alive a streak that began on Sept. 25, 2003 against
Senior middle linebacker Kevis Coley had a career-best 13 tackles (eight solo, five assists), leading the Golden Eagle defense in tackles. Senior safety Trevis Coley had eight tackles (four solo, four assists). Redshirt sophomore Robert Henderson had a team-high two sacks and two tackles for loss.
Southern Miss Post-Game Notes:
Southern Miss opened its season against
Under Head Coach Jeff Bower, Southern Miss is now 9-6 overall in season openers, including a 3-5 mark on the road. All-time, Southern Miss is 59-30, including a 16-19 mark on the road.
Southern Miss starts its season 0-1 for the first time since the 2003 season, when it dropped a 34-2 decision at Cal. Under Head Coach Jeff Bower, Southern Miss has started its season 0-1 six times, 1993, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2003 and 2005.
Tonight?s game was the 42nd meeting between Southern Miss and
Head Coach Jeff Bower is now 2-12 against
Anthony Perine scored two touchdowns tonight, a 12-yard and 37-yard touchdown, becoming the first Golden Eagle to score two touchdowns in a game since Marvin Young had two touchdowns against Louisiana-Lafayette (11-1-03).
Perine?s two touchdown performance was the first against
Southern Miss snapped a 13 quarter non-offensive touchdown scoring streak in the first quarter tonight, as Dustin Almond completed a 12-yard touchdown pass to Anthony Perine. The previous offensive touchdown came in the 2001 season, as Jeff Kelly found LeRoy Handy for a five-yard touchdown.
Redshirt freshman Gerald McRath recorded the team?s first interception of 2005 and the first of his career, returning it 32 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter tonight. Southern Miss has now returned interceptions for a touchdown in two consecutive games, as Michael Boley returned a 62 yarder against
Southern Miss led
Southern Miss has now lost 10 consecutive games in
Senior quarterback Dustin Almond made his first career start against Alabama today, finishing the game completing 15-of-30 passes for 190 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Almond became the first Golden Eagle quarterback to throw two scores since Jeff Kelly tossed two in 2001.
Five Golden Eagles made their first career starts tonight. Redshirt sophomore Larry Thomas started at running back, redshirt freshman Gerald McRath started at linebacker, redshirt sophomore Chris Clark started on the offensive line, redshirt junior Robby D?Angelo started at center, sophomore Brandon Sumrall started at defensive back. In addition, redshirt junior Wayne Hardy made his first career start linebacker, but it was not his first start as a Golden Eagle, as he made two starts at fullback last season.
Several Golden Eagles made their career debuts tonight, including Gerald McRath, Conrad Chanove, Ladarius Webb, Ivory Bradshaw, Lance Moore, Ryan Watson, Eddie Willingham, Tony Miner, Josh Barnes, Tokumbo Abanikanda and Shawn Nelson.
Senior Antwon Courington has now caught at least one pass in 24 consecutive games, finishing tonight?s game with eight catches for 80 yards.
Senior Kevis Coley led the Southern Miss defense with a career-high 13 tackles (eight solos, five assists).
Senior Robert Henderson led the Golden Eagles defense with two tackles for loss and two sacks.
Southern Miss had nine rushing yards tonight, its fewest total against
Two Crimson Tide receivers had over 100 yards receiving, Tyrone Prothro (7, 134) and DJ Hall (5, 130, one touchdown), becoming the first duo to post 100 yard receiving games since Houston?s Kendal Briles (10, 101) and Vincent Marshall (4, 190) accomplished the feat in Hattiesburg last season.
Following tonight?s game, the Southern Miss offensive line has 54 career starts. George Batiste made his 25th start against
Following tonight?s game, Southern Miss is now 32-26 on television under Head Coach Jeff Bower, including a 15-13 mark on the road. Southern Miss made the first of at least five television appearances in 2005 tonight.
Southern Miss appeared for the 17th time on ESPN2 tonight. Southern Miss has a 6-11 record on ESPN2. The Golden Eagles will play at least once more on ESPN2 this season, at
Redshirt sophomore Conrad Chanove saw the first action of his career tonight, as he lined up on special teams on the game?s opening kickoff, before participating in several other special teams? series. Chanove is a member of the Golden Eagle track team, but joined the team as a walk-on last season.
Senior Howard Overby made his second career start tonight. Overby?s other start came at
Captains for tonight?s game for Southern Miss were John Eubanks, Kevis Coley and Antwon Courington.
Golden Eagle kicker Darren McCaleb missed his only field goal attempt of the game, a 45-yarder. Last season, McCaleb was perfect on field goals in the regular-season, making all 15.
