University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Southern Miss Headed to R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl
12/4/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 4, 2016
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - The Southern Miss football program on Sunday announced it has accepted an invitation to participate in the 16th annual R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl.
The Golden Eagles, which finished its regular season with a 6-6 mark, will play Louisiana-Lafayette (6-6) from the Sun Belt Conference. This will be the 52nd meeting between the two football programs with the Golden Eagles holding a 39-11-1 overall mark in the series.
The game will be played at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, Saturday, Dec. 17, 2016, and will kick off at 8 p.m. (CST). ESPN will televise the game.
"We couldn't be any more excited for our players, coaches, fans and the entire university community with the opportunity to return to a bowl game for a second consecutive season and in one of the greatest cities in the world," said Southern Miss Director of Athletics Bill McGillis. "I'm proud of the way our players and coaches fought through adversity throughout the season to earn the opportunity to play in this game. The R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl should be both a terrific match-up on the field and a sensational atmosphere and environment off the field, with both programs supported by very passionate fan bases. We need to fill the Mercedes-Benz Superdome with Golden Eagles clad in Black & Gold and make a statement to the college football world about who we are."
The Golden Eagles make their second-straight bowl appearance, 12th in the last 15 years and 24th overall. Southern Miss returns to New Orleans for the fifth time in a bowl game.
The game marks the first time Southern Miss has played in this game since the 2009 campaign and the fifth time overall, also earning berths in 2004, 2005 and 2008. Due to Hurricane Katrina, the 2005 contest was played at Cajun Field in Lafayette, La.
"I am extremely proud of the 2016 Golden Eagle football team and very excited to get the invitation to play in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl," said first-year Southern Miss coach Jay Hopson. "It is a great destination bowl and the Golden Eagle football family is excited to continue our season in the City of New Orleans."
The Golden Eagles registered 472.1 yards per game during the regular season, ranking No. 25 in the FBS, while allowing just 330.9 yards per game, which ranked No. 18 in the FBS. Southern Miss ranked No. 9 in the FBS in time of possession this fall (33:41), while also holding a No. 2 ranking in third down conversions allowed at 23.9 percent.
The deadline to order your bowl tickets and have them fulfilled in priority order is 5 p.m. on Wednesday, December 7. Please note that any orders placed after the priority deadline will be filled on a first come, first serve basis.
Tickets along the lower level sideline will be $60, while all other tickets will be $40. Student tickets are $20 and fans may make donations for tickets to be used by local members of the military, local charities, and under privileged youth groups for $20. There will be a limited number of $60 tickets available. In the event that there are more requests for these tickets than can be fulfilled, fans will be placed in the best-available $40 seats as well as refunded the difference in pricing.
Fans are encouraged to purchase their tickets through the Southern Miss Ticket Office as each ticket purchase directly benefits Southern Miss Athletics and guarantees fans that they will sit with other Golden Eagle fans.
The ticket office will begin to fulfill orders placed before the priority deadline in the following order:
* Season Ticket Holders & Eagle Club Members priority based upon Eagle Club Giving Level.
* Season Ticket Holders who are non-Eagle Club Members.
* Eagle Club members who are non-Season Ticket Holders.
* General Public
If you are a season ticket holder or Eagle Club member, please be sure to log in to your account at SouthernMissTickets.com when ordering to ensure you receive your priority. If you do not remember your login information and need assistance, fans can call the ticket office at 1-800-844-TICK (8425).
All ticket orders will be held at will call and can be picked up at the Pat Ferlise Center, beginning Friday, Dec. 9, through Friday, Dec. 16. Tickets can also be picked up Saturday, Dec. 17, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., at the Hilton Riverside Hotel as well as from 5:30 p.m., until halftime at Gate H at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
Students will be able to purchase their bowl game tickets beginning Monday afternoon. The Southern Miss Ticket Office will have student ticket sales events at the Southwest Stadium Ticket Office located next to The Hub. Additionally, the first 400 students to purchase their bowl game tickets will receive a free 12-pack of Coca-Cola courtesy of Hattiesburg Coca-Cola.
Student Ticket Sales Events at the South Stadium Ticket Office:
- Monday, Dec. 5 - Noon - 4 p.m.
- Tuesday, Dec. 6 - 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Students that are unable to make it to these sales events may visit the Pat Ferlise Ticket Office during normal business hours (Monday - Friday; 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.) or call 1-800-844-TICK. Please make sure that you have your Student ID with you when purchasing your tickets.
