Football Opens Home Slate with 35-10 Victory over Southeastern Louisiana

HATTIESBURG, Miss. – A pair of long fourth-quarter touchdowns, one on offense and one from the defense, helped Southern Miss pull away from Southeastern Louisiana Saturday evening at Carlisle-Faulkner Field at M.M. Roberts Stadium to secure a 35-10 victory.

The Golden Eagles (1-1) snapped a three-game losing streak dating back to last season, while the Lions dropped their second game to open the campaign.

Up 21-10 in the final quarter, Southern Miss' Dylan Lawrence picked off an Eli Sawyer pass and returned it 63 yards for a touchdown with 13:19 remaining and Kenyon Clay added a 70-yard scoring run with 1:44 left to help the Golen Eagles pull away in the contest.

Southern Miss quarterback Tate Rodemaker threw for a pair of touchdowns on 18-of-33 throws, while Larry Simmons caught five passes for 100 yards.

After leading 14-10 at the half, the Golden Eagles gave themselves some cushion in the third quarter as Dreke Clark extended the lead on a one-yard rush. The score came one play after a 59-yard pass from backup quarterback Ethan Crawford to Justyn Reid to the one.

It was the visiting Lions, though, that took the early lead in the contest.

After getting stopped on their first possession in Golden Eagle territory and a 31-yard punt to the Southern Miss nine, Ti Mims fumbled on the home team's first play. SLU recovered the ball and four plays later kicked at 25-yard field goal by Riley Callaghan to give the visitors a 3-0 advantage.

Southern Miss then took advantage of a muffed punt later in the opening quarter as Rodemaker completed a four-play, 13-yard drive with a nine-yard scoring throw to Kyirin Heath to give the Golden Eagles a 7-3 advantage.

Southern Miss extended the lead in the second quarter on Rodemaker's second touchdown pass. The Golden Eagles moved the ball 88 yards on 11 plays and concluded on a five-yard throw to Davis Dalton on his first career scoring reception.

The Lions cut the margin right before the half as Antonio Martin, Jr., recorded a 10-yard scoring run that cuminated a 69-yard, 10-play drive with 14 seconds before half to cut the Golden Eagle lead to 14-10 at intermission.

The Golden Eagles outgained the visitors 359-274.

Southern Miss returns home next week with their second-straight game at The Rock when they entertain USF in a 6 p.m., contest, Saturday, Sept. 14. Tickets are available by going online at SouthernMissTickets.com, by calling 1-800-844-TICK (8425) or by visiting the Pat Ferlise Ticket Office weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Football Opens Home Slate with 35-10 Victory over Southeastern Louisiana

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Team Stats

Players Mentioned

Kenyon Clay

Ethan Crawford

Davis Dalton

Kyirin Heath

Dylan Lawrence

Justyn Reid

Tate Rodemaker

Larry Simmons