University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Southern Miss
1-3 , 0-0
Tulane
2-2 , 0-0
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Miss. | 0 | 14 | 7 | 0 | 21 |
| Tulane | 7 | 7 | 0 | 10 | 24 |
Late Touchdown Lifts Green Wave to Comeback Win for Battle for the Bell
9/26/2026 11:11:00 PM | Football
Southern Miss (1-3) showcased resilience and offensive balance, amassing 401 total yards and taking a 21-14 lead early in the third quarter. Lyddy completed 18 of 29 passes for 243 yards and three scores, connecting twice with Mario Sanders and once with Davis Dalton. Sanders finished with four catches for 69 yards and two touchdowns, while Dalton added three receptions for 75 yards and a score.
After falling behind 7-0 in the first quarter, the Golden Eagles responded with a 32-yard touchdown strike from Lyddy to Dalton to tie the game. Tulane answered with a 43-yard touchdown run, but Southern Miss methodically marched 75 yards on their next possession, capped by a 14-yard touchdown pass to Sanders to knot the score at 14 heading into halftime.
Southern Miss seized momentum in the third quarter. Lyddy found Sanders again, this time for a 22-yard touchdown, giving the Golden Eagles a 21-14 advantage. The defense, led by Michael Robinson III's 10 tackles and Jameer Lewis's 1.5 sacks, kept Tulane in check for much of the second half.
Tulane (2-2) trimmed the deficit to 21-17 with a field goal early in the fourth quarter. Southern Miss had two chances to extend their lead, but a 44-yard field goal attempt sailed wide and a 21-yard try was blocked with 1:45 left to play in the game. The missed opportunities proved costly.
Tulane's Maurice Turner broke free for a 74-yard touchdown run with 5:26 left, putting the Green Wave ahead 24-21. Southern Miss mounted a final drive, advancing to the Tulane 3-yard line, but the blocked field goal ended their hopes.
Despite the loss, Southern Miss's offense showed promise, with Steven Robinson rushing for 73 yards and Jamarice Wilder adding 60 on the ground. The Golden Eagles' defense forced a key interception and tallied three sacks, but could not contain Turner, who finished with 200 rushing yards and two touchdowns for Tulane.
Southern Miss now sets its sights to Sun Belt Conference play as they travel to Troy for a 7 p.m. contest, Tuesday, Oct. 6.
Players Mentioned
Team Stats
USM 0, TLN 7
TLN - Brown-Stephens,Anthony 47 yd pass from Semonza,Kadin (Helmke,Cooper kick) 6 plays, 70 yards, TOP 02:19
USM 7, TLN 7
USM - Dalton,Davis 32 yd pass from Lyddy,Landry (Wilbanks,Creighton kick) 4 plays, 61 yards, TOP 01:30
USM 7, TLN 14
TLN - Turner,Maurice 43 yd run (Helmke,Cooper kick), 6 plays, 75 yards, TOP 02:56
USM 14, TLN 14
USM - Sanders,Mario 14 yd pass from Lyddy,Landry (Wilbanks,Creighton kick) 9 plays, 75 yards, TOP 05:03
USM 21, TLN 14
USM - Sanders,Mario 22 yd pass from Lyddy,Landry (Wilbanks,Creighton kick) 4 plays, 69 yards, TOP 01:54
USM 21, TLN 17
TLN - Helmke,Cooper 26 yd field goal 10 plays, 66 yards, TOP 03:50
USM 21, TLN 24
TLN - Turner,Maurice 74 yd run (Helmke,Cooper kick), 2 plays, 74 yards, TOP 00:18
