University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
A Look Back: Favre Leads Golden Eagles Back with No Time Left on Clock, Literally
10/16/2025 10:30:00 AM | Football
The Golden Eagles captured a 14-13 decision in 1990 at Cajun Field.
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – It was a game in which time stood still.
On the game's final play, senior Brett Favre directed Michael Welch into position and the quarterback's throw was caught over a leaping defender for an 11-yard touchdown pass with no time left on the clock – literally.
That touchdown, followed by a Jim Taylor extra point, lifted the visiting Golden Eagles to a 14-13 road victory to ruin homecoming for then Southwestern Louisiana – now Louisiana – in front of 17,860 at Cajun Field. It was the second year in a row a homecoming game was ruined by the visitor as the Ragin' Cajuns hit a 50-yard field goal at game's end to defeat the Golden Eagles in their 1989 homecoming contest.
This game, which took place on Nov. 3, 1990, turned out to be the seventh victory of an 8-4 bowl season that also included wins at Alabama and Auburn during Curley Hallman's final year.
In this contest, the Golden Eagles trailed 13-0 halfway through the fourth quarter, but no one knew the exact time on the clock as the scoreboard malfunctioned early in the game, and no visible running clock was available. The time was kept on the field by the officials.
Hallman, who had been a member of the coaching staff for the 1981 Clemson national championship squad, was quoted by the media after the game about his pleasure in winning this game.
"You're always super-excited to win any football game," said Hallman. "If you take a lead early and hang on, or trade points back and forth all night it's exciting. But to come back and win the way we did…I don't know if I've ever felt any stronger feelings in my career, including being with national champions, than I do for that bunch."
The Golden Eagle comeback started when Tony Smith returned a punt from deep in the Cajun end 19 yards to the UL 26. On the very next play, Quentis Casey rushed the distance for the visitors' first score to cut the gap to 13-7 with 8:14 remaining
After a punt on the next UL possession, the Golden Eagles looked to take the lead for the first time, but Favre's pass to Smith from the UL 8 was fumbled into the end zone and the Ragin' Cajuns recovered the ball with two minutes remaining
The Golden Eagles then held UL to just three plays on the next possession, using all three of their time outs on the possession. A punt to the Southern Miss 30 was returned 25 more yards by Smith and the Golden Eagles had to move the ball 45 yards during the final drive.
After a pass interference on the first play of the series that put the ball at the UL 29, Favre then converted his next three passes to move the ball down to the 11, before downing the ball to stop the 'clock'. After an overthrow on the next play, the Golden Eagles faced fourth down and Favre's winning throw hit a leaping Welch in the right side of the end zone to tie game as the officials ended the game from the field. Taylor then booted the extra point which provided the one-point final difference.
It was one of 20 games in the series that have been decided by seven or fewer points and the Golden Eagles hold a 13-6-1 advantage in those contests.
The two programs return to action this Saturday as they renew the second-longest series in Southern Miss football with the 56th edition of the matchup. Game time for the contest is set for 4 p.m. and can be seen via ESPN+ or heard on an affiliate of the Southern Miss Sports Network.