Southern Miss
3-2 , 1-0
Jacksonville State
2-3 , 1-0
Ground Game Propels Southern Miss Past Jacksonville State in 42-25 Win
9/27/2025 10:28:00 PM | Football
The Golden Eagles (3-2, 1-0 Sun Belt) have their first three-win September since 2016 as they conclude their non-conference slate.
After their opening drive stalled out, Southern Miss scored in under two minutes on each of their next two drives, both short rushes by Pittman. Braxton added a 6-yard rush just before the end of the first half to put the Golden Eagles up 21-3.
Jacksonville State (2-3, 1-0 CUSA) scored its first touchdown, a 4-yard reception for Brock Rechsteiner, with 4:33 to go in the third quarter.
Ian Foster had a 49-yard pick-6 with 1:27 remaining in regulation, his second pick-6 this season after a 99-yard return against App State on Sept. 14.
For the Gamecocks, Caden Creel had a career-high 161 rushing yards with one touchdown on 23 carries, and threw for 109 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. Cam Cook added 77 rushing yards and one score.
The Golden Eagles lead the all-time series 3-1. The schools played in 2024 for the first time since a 65-0 Southern Miss win in 1946, when the schools were known as Mississippi Southern College and Jacksonville State Teachers College.
Southern Miss now goes into a bye week before traveling to Georgia Southern on Oct. 9. The Thursday night game is slated for 7 p.m. CT in Statesboro, Ga., and will air on ESPN2.
Season and single-game tickets are still available and can be purchased at SouthernMiss.com/Tickets. Follow @SouthernMissFB on social media for the latest Golden Eagle news.
Team Stats
JSU 0, USM 7
USM - Pittman,Jeffery 1 yd run (Wilbanks,Creighton kick), 4 plays, 25 yards, TOP 01:31
JSU 0, USM 14
USM - Pittman,Jeffery 3 yd run (Wilbanks,Creighton kick), 4 plays, 80 yards, TOP 01:17
JSU 3, USM 14
JSU - Rippa,Garrison 35 yd field goal 15 plays, 57 yards, TOP 05:53
JSU 3, USM 21
USM - Braxton,Braylon 6 yd run (Wilbanks,Creighton kick), 11 plays, 48 yards, TOP 01:50
JSU 3, USM 28
USM - Morris,Kadinn 6 yd pass from Braxton,Braylon (Wilbanks,Creighton kick) 7 plays, 67 yards, TOP 03:30
JSU 11, USM 28
JSU - Rechsteiner,Brock 4 yd pass from Creel,Caden (Creel,Caden rush) 3 plays, 75 yards, TOP 01:19
JSU 11, USM 35
USM - Chester,Carl 13 yd pass from Braxton,Braylon (Wilbanks,Creighton kick) 6 plays, 75 yards, TOP 02:38
JSU 17, USM 35
JSU - Creel,Caden 5 yd run (), 14 plays, 89 yards, TOP 06:20
JSU 17, USM 42
USM - Foster,Ian 49 yd interception (Wilbanks,Creighton kick)
JSU 25, USM 42
JSU - Cook,Cam 8 yd run (Creel,Caden rush), 5 plays, 75 yards, TOP 01:04
