University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
11/14/2026 9:15:00 PM | Football
RUSTON, La. -- Southern Miss showed flashes of offensive promise and finished with a burst Saturday afternoon, but four interceptions and a 42-point first half for the Bulldogs proved too much to overcome in a 63-31 loss to Louisiana Tech at Joe Aillet Stadium.
The Golden Eagles (3-7 overall, 2-4 Sun Belt) outgained neither the Bulldogs nor matched their explosiveness, but they did produce 406 yards and controlled the ball for 30 minutes, 35 seconds. Southern Miss ran for 186 yards, led by game-high Steven Robinson's 94 and Jamarice Wilder's 83, yet Louisiana Tech turned four takeaways into 28 points and built an insurmountable 42-10 halftime lead.
Quarterback John White completed 21 of 43 passes for 220 yards and two touchdowns, but Louisiana Tech intercepted him a school-record tying four times. Jadon Mayfield returned one 36 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter, and Jordan McRae followed with an 89-yard pick-six less than two minutes later to turn a competitive game into a rout.
The Golden Eagles initially answered Louisiana Tech's opening touchdown with Creighton Wilbanks' 44-yard field goal, his fourth make in a row, then pulled within 21-10 early in the second quarter when Wilder broke free for a 53-yard touchdown run on fourth down. But Louisiana Tech responded with a 75-yard touchdown drive before its defense delivered the two scoring returns, pushing the margin to 32 points.
Southern Miss continued competing after halftime. White connected with Grant Page for a 7-yard touchdown in the third quarter, capping a six-play, 58-yard drive. Mario Sanders supplied the team's biggest receiving performance, catching eight passes for 119 yards and a touchdown. His 41-yard scoring catch from White early in the fourth quarter came immediately after Robinson's 39-yard run and briefly highlighted the Golden Eagles' ability to strike quickly.
MaLik Caswell provided the final Southern Miss points, intercepting Jackson Bradley and returning it 32 yards for a touchdown with 2:11 remaining. Wesley Edison led the defense with 10 tackles, while the Golden Eagles recorded one sack.
Still, Louisiana Tech repeatedly made the decisive plays. Blake Baker completed 21 of 28 passes for 236 yards and three touchdowns, while the Bulldogs finished with 495 total yards and averaged 7.6 yards per play. Eli Finley caught six passes for 104 yards and a touchdown, and Rayshun Hurt broke a 55-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.
Southern Miss next returns home for Senior Day next Saturday against South Alabama at Renasant Stadium. Game time is set for 3 p.m.
The Golden Eagles (3-7 overall, 2-4 Sun Belt) outgained neither the Bulldogs nor matched their explosiveness, but they did produce 406 yards and controlled the ball for 30 minutes, 35 seconds. Southern Miss ran for 186 yards, led by game-high Steven Robinson's 94 and Jamarice Wilder's 83, yet Louisiana Tech turned four takeaways into 28 points and built an insurmountable 42-10 halftime lead.
Quarterback John White completed 21 of 43 passes for 220 yards and two touchdowns, but Louisiana Tech intercepted him a school-record tying four times. Jadon Mayfield returned one 36 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter, and Jordan McRae followed with an 89-yard pick-six less than two minutes later to turn a competitive game into a rout.
The Golden Eagles initially answered Louisiana Tech's opening touchdown with Creighton Wilbanks' 44-yard field goal, his fourth make in a row, then pulled within 21-10 early in the second quarter when Wilder broke free for a 53-yard touchdown run on fourth down. But Louisiana Tech responded with a 75-yard touchdown drive before its defense delivered the two scoring returns, pushing the margin to 32 points.
Southern Miss continued competing after halftime. White connected with Grant Page for a 7-yard touchdown in the third quarter, capping a six-play, 58-yard drive. Mario Sanders supplied the team's biggest receiving performance, catching eight passes for 119 yards and a touchdown. His 41-yard scoring catch from White early in the fourth quarter came immediately after Robinson's 39-yard run and briefly highlighted the Golden Eagles' ability to strike quickly.
MaLik Caswell provided the final Southern Miss points, intercepting Jackson Bradley and returning it 32 yards for a touchdown with 2:11 remaining. Wesley Edison led the defense with 10 tackles, while the Golden Eagles recorded one sack.
Still, Louisiana Tech repeatedly made the decisive plays. Blake Baker completed 21 of 28 passes for 236 yards and three touchdowns, while the Bulldogs finished with 495 total yards and averaged 7.6 yards per play. Eli Finley caught six passes for 104 yards and a touchdown, and Rayshun Hurt broke a 55-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.
Southern Miss next returns home for Senior Day next Saturday against South Alabama at Renasant Stadium. Game time is set for 3 p.m.
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