University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
A Look Back: A 1978 Victory over Mississippi State in Hattiesburg
8/27/2025 2:00:00 PM | General
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – When Southern Miss fans remember classic football games against Mississippi State, the one that instantly jumps to mind is the 7-6 classic the Golden Eagles won in 1981 in front of a then state-record crowd of 64,112 at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Jackson.
Historically speaking, though, one other game may provide more significance in the series between the two schools which began back in 1935.
The game in question was a 22-17 victory for coach Bobby Collins and the Golden Eagles, in front of 31,720, at The Rock, on Oct. 7, 1978.
That victory over the Bulldogs in Hattiesburg included a huge comeback, a breakout game for a Golden Eagle legend and the only victory over a Southeastern Conference opponent on the field at M.M. Roberts Stadium.
Southern Miss found themselves down 17-0 early in the second quarter, giving up a three-yard rushing touchdown midway through the first period, along with a pair of second-quarter scores – a 19-yard field goal and a 28-yard scoring play with 12:21 before halftime.
Down by that considerable margin, the Golden Eagles began their comeback of scoring 22-straight points when tight end Larry Harrington caught a seven-yard scoring pass from Dane McDaniel later in the period and the home team were down just 17-7 at the half.
The comeback also came courtesy of an impressive performance by then walk-on running back Sammy Winder, who went on to become one of the better rushers in school history before a successful professional career with the Denver Broncos. Winder ran through tackler after tackler and ended the game with 75 yards on 12 carries, which included a pair of one-yard scoring plays in the third quarter to give the Golden Eagles the lead for good.
Following the second Winder touchdown, a bad snap on the extra point forced holder Joe Burckel to pick up the football and scramble for enough time to hit tight end Tom Jordan in the end zone for a two-point conversion in completing the game's scoring.
Tiko Beal rushed for a game-high 90 yards for Southern Miss, and the Golden Eagle defense limited the Bulldogs to 71 offensive yards in the second half to hold on to the victory.
"This football team has character," said Collins following the game. "They came out here tonight and there was no doubt in their mind they were going to come back and win. They don't know the word quit."
That day became the first and only victory for the Golden Eagles in Hattiesburg against an SEC foe decided on the field. There was another game that the Bulldogs won 14-6 at The Rock during the 1976 campaign, but that game was later forfeited by Mississippi State.
The next edition of the series is slated for this Saturday at Carlisle-Faulkner Field at M.M. Roberts Stadium. Game time is set for 11 a.m., and tickets remain available for the contest. Fans can click here to purchase tickets or go to SouthernMiss.com/tickets.
Historically speaking, though, one other game may provide more significance in the series between the two schools which began back in 1935.
The game in question was a 22-17 victory for coach Bobby Collins and the Golden Eagles, in front of 31,720, at The Rock, on Oct. 7, 1978.
That victory over the Bulldogs in Hattiesburg included a huge comeback, a breakout game for a Golden Eagle legend and the only victory over a Southeastern Conference opponent on the field at M.M. Roberts Stadium.
Southern Miss found themselves down 17-0 early in the second quarter, giving up a three-yard rushing touchdown midway through the first period, along with a pair of second-quarter scores – a 19-yard field goal and a 28-yard scoring play with 12:21 before halftime.
Down by that considerable margin, the Golden Eagles began their comeback of scoring 22-straight points when tight end Larry Harrington caught a seven-yard scoring pass from Dane McDaniel later in the period and the home team were down just 17-7 at the half.
The comeback also came courtesy of an impressive performance by then walk-on running back Sammy Winder, who went on to become one of the better rushers in school history before a successful professional career with the Denver Broncos. Winder ran through tackler after tackler and ended the game with 75 yards on 12 carries, which included a pair of one-yard scoring plays in the third quarter to give the Golden Eagles the lead for good.
Following the second Winder touchdown, a bad snap on the extra point forced holder Joe Burckel to pick up the football and scramble for enough time to hit tight end Tom Jordan in the end zone for a two-point conversion in completing the game's scoring.
Tiko Beal rushed for a game-high 90 yards for Southern Miss, and the Golden Eagle defense limited the Bulldogs to 71 offensive yards in the second half to hold on to the victory.
"This football team has character," said Collins following the game. "They came out here tonight and there was no doubt in their mind they were going to come back and win. They don't know the word quit."
That day became the first and only victory for the Golden Eagles in Hattiesburg against an SEC foe decided on the field. There was another game that the Bulldogs won 14-6 at The Rock during the 1976 campaign, but that game was later forfeited by Mississippi State.
The next edition of the series is slated for this Saturday at Carlisle-Faulkner Field at M.M. Roberts Stadium. Game time is set for 11 a.m., and tickets remain available for the contest. Fans can click here to purchase tickets or go to SouthernMiss.com/tickets.
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