University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Southern Miss
7-2 , 5-0
Arkansas State
5-5 , 4-2
Football Holds Off Arkansas State to Stay Undefeated in Sun Belt Play
11/8/2025 4:00:00 PM | Football
JONESBORO, Ark. -- Josh Moten intercepted three passes, Landry Lyddy had passing and rushing touchdowns and Southern Miss held on to beat Arkansas State 27-21 on Saturday to remain unbeaten in the Sun Belt.
Moten is the first Golden Eagle to make three interceptions in a game since 2002. He has five this season matching the five he had all of last year. Southern Miss (7-2, 5-0 Sun Belt) intercepted five passes and had a fumble recovery against the Red Wolves (5-5, 4-2 Sun Belt) on its way to its fifth straight win. Arkansas State had a four-game win streak snapped.
Lyddy rushed for a 7-yard score and connected with Elijah Metcalf for a 76-yard score and a 17-7 halftime lead. But it took Braylon Braxton's 15-yard touchdown toss to Kyirin Heath with nine minutes left to give the Eagles the cushion needed to counter a pair of fourth-quarter scores by the Red Wolves.
Braxton threw for 228 yards on 20-of-29 passing with Lyddy 4-of-6 for 128 yards. Both were intercepted once. Metcalf caught five passes for 143 yards.
Jaylen Raynor was 37-of-48 for 331 yards and two scores but threw four interceptions and lost a fumble. Josh Flowers was also picked off once.
Southern Miss has won five straight for the first time since 2015 and is off to a 5-0 start in conference play for the first time since 2003.
Southern Miss will host Texas State next Saturdat at The Rock. The Golden Eagles will kick at 2:30 p.m. on ESPN+.
Tickets are still available for the two remaining Southern Miss home football games and can be purchased by going online at SouthernMiss.com/Tickets.
Team Stats
USM 3, ASU 0
USM - Wilbanks,Creighton 28 yd field goal 5 plays, 15 yards, TOP 01:36
USM 3, ASU 7
ASU - Clay,Kenyon 5 yd pass from Raynor,Jaylen (Van Andel,Clune kick) 6 plays, 75 yards, TOP 02:15
USM 10, ASU 7
USM - Lyddy,Landry 7 yd run (Wilbanks,Creighton kick), 6 plays, 63 yards, TOP 01:56
USM 17, ASU 7
USM - Metcalf,Elijah 76 yd pass from Lyddy,Landry (Wilbanks,Creighton kick) 1 plays, 76 yards, TOP 00:12
USM 20, ASU 7
USM - Wilbanks,Creighton 37 yd field goal 9 plays, 61 yards, TOP 03:46
USM 20, ASU 14
ASU - Little,Tyler 6 yd pass from Flowers,Josh (Van Andel,Clune kick) 11 plays, 75 yards, TOP 03:57
USM 27, ASU 14
USM - Heath,Kyirin 15 yd pass from Braxton,Braylon (Wilbanks,Creighton kick) 10 plays, 66 yards, TOP 03:53
USM 27, ASU 21
ASU - Bonelli,Jaylen 3 yd pass from Raynor,Jaylen (Van Andel,Clune kick) 7 plays, 59 yards, TOP 02:19
