University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Football Opens C-USA Play This Saturday at UTEP
9/22/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
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HATTIESBURG, Miss. - After a disappointing performance that resulted in the first loss of the year, Southern Miss looks at the beginning of the so-called "second season" as a fresh start.
The Golden Eagles (2-1) will open Conference USA competition at 7 p.m. CT Saturday when they play at UTEP (1-2) at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas.
"From here on out, it's basically a conference schedule, so you want to make sure that you understand all your goals, so you've got to be ready ," Southern Miss coach Jay Hopson said. "To a degree, it's the start of a new season, so you've got to be ready."
Southern Miss dropped a 37-31 decision to Troy last weekend, snapping the Golden Eagles' six-game winning streak at Roberts Stadium.
Southern Miss hurt itself with three turnovers and turned the ball over on downs two other times on a bad punt snap and a failed fake punt attempt that came up less than a yard shy.
The glitches jumped started drives that resulted in 27 of the Trojans' points.
"You don't want to go out there and turn the ball over, but those things happen sometimes, and that's what we have to correct," Hopson said. "We have to work on our fundamentals - ball security, tackling those things - but the reality is this football team is going to fight until the end, and as a coach, that's what makes you proud.
"Always put the loss on me, that's how it's always going to be, but I'll take that loss any day, as long as the team fights hard for 60 minutes. Now, we have to get better, and that's what we're going to do."
After a win over New Mexico State in its season opener, UTEP has dropped consecutive games at then-No. 11 Texas and to visiting Army.
In the two losses, the Miners have been outscored 105-21.
Saturday's matchup will feature two of C-USA's top rushers.
UTEP running back Aaron Jones leads the conference by averaging 146.3 rushing yards a game, running for 439 yards and four touchdowns on 60 carries. He averages 7.3 yards a carry.
Southern Miss running back Ito Smith ranks right behind Jones, averaging 144 rushing yards a game, running for 432 yards and four touchdowns on 64 carries. Smith averages 6.8 yards a carry.
Golden Eagles quarterback Nick Mullens ranks fourth in C-USA, averaging 245.7 passing yards a game. Mullens has thrown for 737 yards and six touchdowns, completing 58 of 100 passes with six interceptions.
UTEP ranks 12th among C-USA's 13 teams in passing offense, averaging 156 yards a game through the air. The Miners will be facing the conference's top defense and top passing defense in Southern Miss. The Golden Eagles are the only team in the league allowing less than 300 yards total offense a game (253 yards) and are giving up 155 yards per game through the air.
The Miners rank 10th in total defense, allowing 453 yards a game. Skewed somewhat by Army's ground-based, triple option offense, UTEP is allowing an average 244.7 rushing yards a game.
Southern Miss defensive coordinator Tony Pecoraro said he expects the Golden Eagles to bounce back.
"I think they're hungry to get back," he said. "It ain't no fun to lose."
