University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Tuesday, December 23
New Orleans, La.
4:30 p.m.
Southern Miss
vs
Western Kentucky
Football Set to play in 25th New Orleans Bowl Tuesday versus WKU
12/22/2025 12:05:00 PM | Football
NEW ORLEANS – For the first time in three seasons, Southern Miss football returns to bowl season.
The Golden Eagles, under newly hired head coach Blake Anderson, take on former Conference USA opponent WKU, in the 25th New Orleans Bowl, Tuesday, at 4:30 p.m., at the Caesars Superdome. The game can be seen via ESPN, as well as heard on an affiliate of the Southern Miss Sports Network.
Southern Miss, which compiled its most wins in the regular season since 2022, finished the regular season at 7-5 overall and 5-3 in the Sun Belt Conference West Division.
They play a WKU squad that finished 8-4 overall and 6-2 in CUSA.
This marks the fifth meeting between the two programs and the first since the 2020 COVID season, when the Golden Eagles fell 10-7 in Bowling Green, Ky. Southern Miss looks for its first win over the Hilltoppers in a series that started in 2012.
The Golden Eagles also make their sixth appearance at the New Orleans Bowl – the most played postseason event for Southern Miss in its now 28-game bowl history. Southern Miss is 4-1 all-time in this bowl as they make their first trip back in nine seasons. Southern Miss defeated Louisiana 28-21 in the 2016 event behind a career-best 11 catches from the game's MVP Allenzae Staggers, who registered 230 receiving yards and a touchdown.
After being slowed by injury over the last month of the regular season, Golden Eagle quarterback Braylon Braxton is expected back to his early season form. The senior from Frisco, Texas, who played in 11 games during the year, threw for 2,796 yards during the regular season with 23 touchdown passes and only seven interceptions.
His top target was Elijah Metcalf, who collected team highs for catches (52) and receiving yards (677), to go along with a pair of touchdown catches. He was one of six skill players to catch at least 20 passes during the year, including Carl Chester, who added 30 catches for 532 yards and a season-high six touchdown grabs. Micah Davis was third on the squad in catches with 28 for 393 yards and five touchdowns.
Jeffery Pittman led the way in rushing with 650 yards on the ground with eight touchdowns.
On the defensive side, Southern Miss is led by Chris Jones' 129 tackles, which is the most by a Golden Eagle since Gerald McGrath had 137 in 2008. Jones ranks No. 7 in the country and first in the Sun Belt at 10.7 per game, while Michael Montgomery is next at 100 stops, which is No. 16 nationally and third in the league.
The Golden Eagles defense forced 26 turnovers during the year, including a nation's best 21 interceptions, led with five by Josh Moten. Both Ian Foster and Ahmere Foster were next with three each.
Tickets still remain for the contest and can be purchased by clicking here.
The Golden Eagles, under newly hired head coach Blake Anderson, take on former Conference USA opponent WKU, in the 25th New Orleans Bowl, Tuesday, at 4:30 p.m., at the Caesars Superdome. The game can be seen via ESPN, as well as heard on an affiliate of the Southern Miss Sports Network.
Southern Miss, which compiled its most wins in the regular season since 2022, finished the regular season at 7-5 overall and 5-3 in the Sun Belt Conference West Division.
They play a WKU squad that finished 8-4 overall and 6-2 in CUSA.
This marks the fifth meeting between the two programs and the first since the 2020 COVID season, when the Golden Eagles fell 10-7 in Bowling Green, Ky. Southern Miss looks for its first win over the Hilltoppers in a series that started in 2012.
The Golden Eagles also make their sixth appearance at the New Orleans Bowl – the most played postseason event for Southern Miss in its now 28-game bowl history. Southern Miss is 4-1 all-time in this bowl as they make their first trip back in nine seasons. Southern Miss defeated Louisiana 28-21 in the 2016 event behind a career-best 11 catches from the game's MVP Allenzae Staggers, who registered 230 receiving yards and a touchdown.
After being slowed by injury over the last month of the regular season, Golden Eagle quarterback Braylon Braxton is expected back to his early season form. The senior from Frisco, Texas, who played in 11 games during the year, threw for 2,796 yards during the regular season with 23 touchdown passes and only seven interceptions.
His top target was Elijah Metcalf, who collected team highs for catches (52) and receiving yards (677), to go along with a pair of touchdown catches. He was one of six skill players to catch at least 20 passes during the year, including Carl Chester, who added 30 catches for 532 yards and a season-high six touchdown grabs. Micah Davis was third on the squad in catches with 28 for 393 yards and five touchdowns.
Jeffery Pittman led the way in rushing with 650 yards on the ground with eight touchdowns.
On the defensive side, Southern Miss is led by Chris Jones' 129 tackles, which is the most by a Golden Eagle since Gerald McGrath had 137 in 2008. Jones ranks No. 7 in the country and first in the Sun Belt at 10.7 per game, while Michael Montgomery is next at 100 stops, which is No. 16 nationally and third in the league.
The Golden Eagles defense forced 26 turnovers during the year, including a nation's best 21 interceptions, led with five by Josh Moten. Both Ian Foster and Ahmere Foster were next with three each.
Tickets still remain for the contest and can be purchased by clicking here.
Players Mentioned
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