University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
2009 Football Schedule Released
3/11/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
March 11, 2009
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Six Saturday home games, which include in-state foe Alcorn State and Atlantic Coast Conference power Virginia, highlight the 2009 Southern Miss football schedule that was released today by the school.
"We are pleased all six home games will be on Saturdays, which is best for our fans," said Southern Miss Director of Athletics Richard Giannini. "The C-USA and non-conference schedule is well balanced and we look forward to hosting Virginia from the ACC."
Southern Miss will play five teams that reached bowl games a year ago, including Memphis, East Carolina, Houston, Tulsa and Kansas.
"We have a very challenging schedule with four quality non-conference opponents to go with our always challenging C-USA games," said Southern Miss coach Larry Fedora.
The Golden Eagles, which won their final five games of 2008 that includes an R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl victory over Troy, open the season with three consecutive home games. The Golden Eagles start the campaign at Carlisle-Faulkner Field at Roberts Stadium, Sept. 5, against Alcorn State, before opening Conference USA play here against UCF (Sept. 12). The homestand concludes against Virginia, Sept. 19.
The Golden Eagles then take to the road the following three weeks as they play at Big 12 foe Kansas (Sept. 26), UAB (Oct. 3) and long-time and former league rival Louisville (Oct. 10).
A pair of October home games then await USM with Memphis (Oct. 17) and Tulane (Oct. 24) coming to town before finishing the month at Houston (Oct. 31) on Halloween. The Tulane game has been designated homecoming for this season.
Southern Miss will then enjoy an open date before traveling to C-USA foe Marshall (Nov. 14). The home schedule concludes Nov. 21 against Tulsa, while the regular season wraps up in Greenville, N.C., at East Carolina, on Nov. 28. The C-USA championship game is set for Dec. 5, and will be the East and West Division Champions.
The Golden Eagles, who will play Alcorn State, Virginia and Kansas in football for the first time this season, hold a 126-53-3 combined record over the nine opponents that they have met on the gridiron. Southern Miss has winning records over eight of them - UCF (3-1), UAB (9-0), Louisville (18-8-1), Memphis (37-21-1), Tulane (21-7), Houston (7-4), Marshall (3-1) and East Carolina (26-8) - and trail in the series against Tulsa (2-3-1).
Season tickets for the 2009 season are available by calling 1-800-844-TICK (8425) as well as online at SouthernMiss.com, or by visiting the Pat Ferlise Athletic Ticket Office from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
The Southern Miss Athletics Department is giving a highlight DVD of the 2008 season to fans that join or renew their Eagle Club donation, as well as making their season ticket and spring game ticket purchases prior to or on the date of this year's annual Black and Gold Spring Game, April 18, at 6 p.m. The priority deadline is May 1.
Please note that times and additional television information will be released at a later date and that the dates of the schedule are subject to change.
2009 Southern Miss Schedule
| Sept. 5 | Alcorn State |
| Sept. 12 | UCF* |
| Sept. 19 | Virginia |
| Sept. 26 | at Kansas |
| Oct. 3 | at UAB* |
| Oct. 10 | at Louisville |
| Oct. 17 | Memphis* |
| Oct. 24 | Tulane* (Homecoming) |
| Oct. 31 | at Houston* |
| Nov. 7 | Open Date |
| Nov. 14 | at Marshall* |
| Nov. 21 | Tulsa* |
| Nov. 28 | at East Carolina* |
