University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Football Opens Season at Home Saturday versus Alcorn State
9/4/2026 9:30:00 AM | Football
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Southern Miss opens its 110th football season this Saturday with a new head coach and over 70 new players for the Golden Eagles and the optimism runs high as the program looks to record its second-straight bowl season in 2026.
The first test of the year comes in the form of Alcorn State and it will take place at 4 p.m., Sept. 5, at Renasant Stadium. The game can be seen via ESPN+ as well as heard on an affiliate of the Southern Miss Sports Network.
This contest marks the fifth meeting between these two programs with the Golden Eagles capturing all four previous games, including a 40-14 decision in the last outing between the two schools on Sept. 2, 2023. The two teams first met in a 52-0 Southern Miss victory to start the 2009 campaign.
The Blake Anderson era officially gets underway as he will become the 24th full-time head coach to lead the program in a regular season game.
His Golden Eagles meet an Alcorn State team which defeated Miles College at home 56-7 last weekend. Anderson said that the Braves played very well in their opener and his team would have to come out to play well if there were to start the season on the right note.
"They did everything you're supposed to do. It wasn't close at any point," said Anderson of the Braves in their season-opening victory. "So, when you play an opponent like they played, that's what you want to see, to see your team you know dominating. They really did in every phase. So, I told our guys very clearly, this is a team that is more than capable of beating you, beating you here at home. You got to be ready and respect the opponent and our guys are doing that."
Southern Miss holds a 68-41 record in season openers – there is no score for the 1916 opener against Poplarville High School.
Tickets for the game still remain and can be purchased by going online at SouthernMiss.com/Tickets.
The first test of the year comes in the form of Alcorn State and it will take place at 4 p.m., Sept. 5, at Renasant Stadium. The game can be seen via ESPN+ as well as heard on an affiliate of the Southern Miss Sports Network.
This contest marks the fifth meeting between these two programs with the Golden Eagles capturing all four previous games, including a 40-14 decision in the last outing between the two schools on Sept. 2, 2023. The two teams first met in a 52-0 Southern Miss victory to start the 2009 campaign.
The Blake Anderson era officially gets underway as he will become the 24th full-time head coach to lead the program in a regular season game.
His Golden Eagles meet an Alcorn State team which defeated Miles College at home 56-7 last weekend. Anderson said that the Braves played very well in their opener and his team would have to come out to play well if there were to start the season on the right note.
"They did everything you're supposed to do. It wasn't close at any point," said Anderson of the Braves in their season-opening victory. "So, when you play an opponent like they played, that's what you want to see, to see your team you know dominating. They really did in every phase. So, I told our guys very clearly, this is a team that is more than capable of beating you, beating you here at home. You got to be ready and respect the opponent and our guys are doing that."
Southern Miss holds a 68-41 record in season openers – there is no score for the 1916 opener against Poplarville High School.
Tickets for the game still remain and can be purchased by going online at SouthernMiss.com/Tickets.
Sunday, September 06
Sunday, September 06
Monday, August 31
Saturday, August 22