Defense Looks to Continue Success in Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl
12/20/2019 2:54:00 PM | Football
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Under current coach Jay Hopson, the Southern Miss defense has shined each season atop of Conference USA.
The Golden Eagles finished first in both 2016 and 2018 and came in second during the 2017 campaign. This season, the Nasty Bunch ranks third in total defense among the 14 league members, allowing 350.3 yards per contest, heading into their matchup with Tulane in the Jan. 4 Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl.
Nationally, Southern Miss holds a No. 36 ranking among FBS institutions.
The defense, though, finished the year strong by surrendering just an average of 279.8 yards per contest over the last five games, including 300 or fewer yards allowed three times.
Since the start of the 2016 campaign, the Golden Eagles are 17-3 when they limit their opponents to under 300 yards of total offense.
Junior Ky'el Hemby (Abingdon, Md.) led the way for the Golden Eagles in tackles with 87 stops to go along with a pair of interceptions. First-team All-Conference USA selection DQ Thomas (Arlington, Texas) was next with 68 stops with 14 of those being a team-high for loss to go along with five sacks.
Junior Jacques Turner (D'Iberville, Miss.) added 10 sacks up front on the defensive line, while second-team all-league pick Demarrio Davis collected 20 stops including three for loss.
The Golden Eagles play a Tulane team that finished the regular season 6-6 overall and 3-5 in the American Athletic Conference.
Tickets remain for the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl and can be purchased through the Southern Miss Ticket Office via online at SouthernMissTickets.com.
The Golden Eagles finished first in both 2016 and 2018 and came in second during the 2017 campaign. This season, the Nasty Bunch ranks third in total defense among the 14 league members, allowing 350.3 yards per contest, heading into their matchup with Tulane in the Jan. 4 Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl.
Nationally, Southern Miss holds a No. 36 ranking among FBS institutions.
The defense, though, finished the year strong by surrendering just an average of 279.8 yards per contest over the last five games, including 300 or fewer yards allowed three times.
Since the start of the 2016 campaign, the Golden Eagles are 17-3 when they limit their opponents to under 300 yards of total offense.
Junior Ky'el Hemby (Abingdon, Md.) led the way for the Golden Eagles in tackles with 87 stops to go along with a pair of interceptions. First-team All-Conference USA selection DQ Thomas (Arlington, Texas) was next with 68 stops with 14 of those being a team-high for loss to go along with five sacks.
Junior Jacques Turner (D'Iberville, Miss.) added 10 sacks up front on the defensive line, while second-team all-league pick Demarrio Davis collected 20 stops including three for loss.
The Golden Eagles play a Tulane team that finished the regular season 6-6 overall and 3-5 in the American Athletic Conference.
Tickets remain for the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl and can be purchased through the Southern Miss Ticket Office via online at SouthernMissTickets.com.
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