Photo by: Joe Harper
Golden Eagles Have Enjoyed Keeping the Football This Season
11/6/2018 7:22:00 PM | Football
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Keeping control of the football continues to be a priority for the Southern Miss football team in 2018.
Ranking No. 9 nationally in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision in offensive time of possession, the Golden Eagles average holding on to the pigskin for 33 minutes, 35 seconds over a 60-minute contest.
That number has helped the Golden Eagles sustain longer scoring drives, while also keeping their opponent from having the football. In fact, Southern Miss has enjoyed three 90-plus yard scoring drives and put together points off of 10 or more play possessions 12 times – six touchdowns and six field goals – this season.
On the other hand, the defense surrenders just 20.6 points per game on defense, while the offense posts 25.6 per contest.
Last weekend, Southern Miss kept Marshall's defense on the field for 38:13, holding the football for the longest time in terms of possession since registering 40:52 at Louisiana Tech in 2017. In fact, Jay Hopson's squad has finished seven football games over the 30-minute mark this season.
Behind true freshman quarterback Tate Whatley in his first career start, the Golden Eagles scored on its opening drive against the Thundering Herd, taking 7:35 off the clock on the game's opening possession. Whatley also capped a 94-yard drive with a one-yard scoring plunge halfway through the fourth quarter on a 6:23 touchdown possession to help cushion the home team's lead.
This Saturday, the Golden Eagles (4-4, 3-2) travel to Birmingham, Ala., to face Conference USA West leader UAB (8-1, 6-0) at historic Legion Field in a 6:30 p.m. contest (TV – beIN sports; Radio – Southern Miss IMG Sports Network).
The Blazers also like to keep the football, ranking No. 22 at 32:21 per game.
Whoever holds the ball longer Saturday could be a key to victory this Saturday in the Golden Eagles' first trip to Birmingham since the 2013 campaign.
Ranking No. 9 nationally in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision in offensive time of possession, the Golden Eagles average holding on to the pigskin for 33 minutes, 35 seconds over a 60-minute contest.
That number has helped the Golden Eagles sustain longer scoring drives, while also keeping their opponent from having the football. In fact, Southern Miss has enjoyed three 90-plus yard scoring drives and put together points off of 10 or more play possessions 12 times – six touchdowns and six field goals – this season.
On the other hand, the defense surrenders just 20.6 points per game on defense, while the offense posts 25.6 per contest.
Last weekend, Southern Miss kept Marshall's defense on the field for 38:13, holding the football for the longest time in terms of possession since registering 40:52 at Louisiana Tech in 2017. In fact, Jay Hopson's squad has finished seven football games over the 30-minute mark this season.
Behind true freshman quarterback Tate Whatley in his first career start, the Golden Eagles scored on its opening drive against the Thundering Herd, taking 7:35 off the clock on the game's opening possession. Whatley also capped a 94-yard drive with a one-yard scoring plunge halfway through the fourth quarter on a 6:23 touchdown possession to help cushion the home team's lead.
This Saturday, the Golden Eagles (4-4, 3-2) travel to Birmingham, Ala., to face Conference USA West leader UAB (8-1, 6-0) at historic Legion Field in a 6:30 p.m. contest (TV – beIN sports; Radio – Southern Miss IMG Sports Network).
The Blazers also like to keep the football, ranking No. 22 at 32:21 per game.
Whoever holds the ball longer Saturday could be a key to victory this Saturday in the Golden Eagles' first trip to Birmingham since the 2013 campaign.
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