University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Photo by: Joe Harper/bgnphoto.com
Seven Golden Eagles Tabbed to Phil Steele's Preseason All-Sun Belt Teams
6/15/2023 9:12:00 AM | Football
HATTIESBURG, Miss. --Â Seven Golden Eagles were named Preseason All-Sun Belt by Phil Steele Publications earlier this week. The group was led by Jay Stanley's First Team nod, while Frank Gore, Jr. and Gerquan Scott were named Second Team. Jalen Williams, Quentin Bivens and Averie Habas landed on the Third Team. Tight end Cole Cavallo was selected to the Fourth Team to round out the group.Â
 All seven also garnered Preseason All-Sun Belt honors from Athlon Sports last month, while Gore was a Fourth Team All-American by the publication.Â
JAY STANLEY | S | SR.
Played in 13 games last season and recorded seven interceptions. Posted a career-best 64 total tackles and had 4.5 tackles for loss. Stanley added 1.5 sacks and 12 pass deflections. He was named Third Team All-Sun Belt, Phil Steele's Second Team All-Sun Belt, PFF First Team All-Sun Belt and an Action Network Second Team All-American.
Frank Gore, Jr. | RB/AP | Jr.
Put on a record-breaking performance in Southern Miss' 38-24 LendingTree Bowl win over Rice, rushing for an FBS and school-record 329 yards on 21 carries -- averaged 17.5 yards per carry. Had touchdown runs of 64 and 55 yards that helped him land on the Associated Press and PFF All-Bowl Teams. He rushed for 1,382 yards on the season and averaged 106.3 per game, a career best. He scored nine touchdowns on the ground and added four more in the air.Â
Was named First Team All-Sun Belt (AP), Second Team All-Sun Belt (RB), Phil Steele's Second Team All-Sun Belt and PFF First Team All-Sun Belt.Â
GERQUAN SCOTT | OL | RJR.
Made 13 starts on a vastly improved offensive line. Helped lead the Golden Eagles to eight 100-yard rushing games and three of 200-plus yards. Played a vital role in the Southern Miss passing game as the Golden Eagles threw for at least 100 yards in every game and posted two games with at least 300 yards in the air. It was the first time since the 2019 season that Southern Miss posted at least 300 passing yards more than two times.Â
JALEN WILLIAMS | DL | SR.
Was named All-Sun Belt Honorable Mention after starting the final 11 games of the season at nose tackle. Finished fifth on the team in tackles (50.0) and fifth in tackles for loss (7.5). Blocked an extra point against Lousiana and had a season-high nine tackles against Georgia State.Â
QUENTIN BIVENS | DL | SR.Â
Made 10 starts in his first season with Southern Miss and recorded 32 total tackles. Bivens finished with 5.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. He had a career-high six tackles in a win over Tulane and registered at least one tackle in every game, including eight with two or more.Â
AVERIE HABAS | LB | SR.
Was named All-Sun Belt Honorable Mention after starting 13 games at jack linebacker. He registered 48 tackles and a team-high 12 tackles for loss. Found the quarterback three times for sacks and had two quarterback hurries. Habas had a season-high eight tackles in the season finale against ULM.
COLE CAVALLO | TE | RSR.
Appeared in all 13 games at tight end and hauled in 20 receptions for 174 yards in 12 starts.. Scored his first career touchdown against Georgia State on a seven-yard reception in the third quarter. Cavallo's longest reception on the season was 30 yards.Â
Tickets information for the 2023 home schedule is available by visiting SouthernMissTickets.com, by calling 1-800-844-TICK (8425) or by visiting the Pat Ferlise Ticket Office, weekdays, during normal business hours.
 All seven also garnered Preseason All-Sun Belt honors from Athlon Sports last month, while Gore was a Fourth Team All-American by the publication.Â
JAY STANLEY | S | SR.
Played in 13 games last season and recorded seven interceptions. Posted a career-best 64 total tackles and had 4.5 tackles for loss. Stanley added 1.5 sacks and 12 pass deflections. He was named Third Team All-Sun Belt, Phil Steele's Second Team All-Sun Belt, PFF First Team All-Sun Belt and an Action Network Second Team All-American.
Frank Gore, Jr. | RB/AP | Jr.
Put on a record-breaking performance in Southern Miss' 38-24 LendingTree Bowl win over Rice, rushing for an FBS and school-record 329 yards on 21 carries -- averaged 17.5 yards per carry. Had touchdown runs of 64 and 55 yards that helped him land on the Associated Press and PFF All-Bowl Teams. He rushed for 1,382 yards on the season and averaged 106.3 per game, a career best. He scored nine touchdowns on the ground and added four more in the air.Â
Was named First Team All-Sun Belt (AP), Second Team All-Sun Belt (RB), Phil Steele's Second Team All-Sun Belt and PFF First Team All-Sun Belt.Â
GERQUAN SCOTT | OL | RJR.
Made 13 starts on a vastly improved offensive line. Helped lead the Golden Eagles to eight 100-yard rushing games and three of 200-plus yards. Played a vital role in the Southern Miss passing game as the Golden Eagles threw for at least 100 yards in every game and posted two games with at least 300 yards in the air. It was the first time since the 2019 season that Southern Miss posted at least 300 passing yards more than two times.Â
JALEN WILLIAMS | DL | SR.
Was named All-Sun Belt Honorable Mention after starting the final 11 games of the season at nose tackle. Finished fifth on the team in tackles (50.0) and fifth in tackles for loss (7.5). Blocked an extra point against Lousiana and had a season-high nine tackles against Georgia State.Â
QUENTIN BIVENS | DL | SR.Â
Made 10 starts in his first season with Southern Miss and recorded 32 total tackles. Bivens finished with 5.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. He had a career-high six tackles in a win over Tulane and registered at least one tackle in every game, including eight with two or more.Â
AVERIE HABAS | LB | SR.
Was named All-Sun Belt Honorable Mention after starting 13 games at jack linebacker. He registered 48 tackles and a team-high 12 tackles for loss. Found the quarterback three times for sacks and had two quarterback hurries. Habas had a season-high eight tackles in the season finale against ULM.
COLE CAVALLO | TE | RSR.
Appeared in all 13 games at tight end and hauled in 20 receptions for 174 yards in 12 starts.. Scored his first career touchdown against Georgia State on a seven-yard reception in the third quarter. Cavallo's longest reception on the season was 30 yards.Â
Tickets information for the 2023 home schedule is available by visiting SouthernMissTickets.com, by calling 1-800-844-TICK (8425) or by visiting the Pat Ferlise Ticket Office, weekdays, during normal business hours.
Players Mentioned
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