University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Thigpen's Exceptional Junior Season Continues
9/28/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- It began with a bang and still echoes as the Golden Eagles look to their Saturday night game versus Rice: Defensive lineman Xavier Thigpen has been an absolute playmaker for the "nasty bunch" defense.
Thigpen blocked a punt on the team's first defensive possession of the 2016 season before also forcing and recovering a fumble at Kentucky. It kickstarted the Golden Eagles to what went from a 35-10 deficit to a resounding 44-35 win in Lexington.
The redshirt junior also leads the team with 6 1/2 tackles-for-loss (including 34 yards). That number accounts for exactly half of his total tackles on the year. He shuffled through the rain against Troy to post eight tackles (4.0 for loss).
Thigpen, of Hebron, Miss., was one of the top reserves for the Golden Eagles last year, making 23 tackles, and has truly come into his own as a starter in 2016.
One could argue his most memorable career game was against Saturday's opponent. He had a six-yard catch on a fake field goal during last year's game in Houston. Fans looking for more 2016 Thigpen action can attend Saturday's 6 p.m. game by either visiting SouthernMissTickets.com, calling 1-800-844-TICK, or visiting the Pat Ferlise Center on campus during normal business hours (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays).
