Southern Miss tops conference rival on the road and secures two-decade first
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Southern Miss beats Louisiana 22-10, reaches 3-0 in conference for first time since 2004.
- Defense forces three turnovers and records a safety, sustaining control in Lafayette.
- Braylon Braxton throws for 230 yards; Creighton Wilbanks drills a 52-yard field goal.
There are a number of Golden Eagles on the Southern Miss roster that weren’t yet born the last time USM was here.
Southern Miss is 3-0 in conference play for the first time since 2004 after taking down rival Louisiana on the road, 22-10, Saturday.
The Golden Eagles outscored the Ragin’ Cajuns 22-3 after UL marched 85 yards to the end zone on its opening drive.
The run was highlighted by Braylon Braxton’s school-record 98-yard touchdown pass to Micah Davis late in the third quarter and punctuated by a safety in the fourth quarter.
The Southern Miss defense also forced three turnovers and three turnover on downs throughout what was largely a defensive battle in Lafayette.
Corey Myrick intercepted a pass in the second quarter to set up USM’s first score of the game when Matt Jones plunged into the end zone from a yard out.
Ahmere Foster then picked off former Ole Miss quarterback Walker Howard and returned it inside Louisiana territory with three seconds left. That allowed Creighton Wilbanks to send in a 52-yard field goal and give the Eagles a lead it would not give up.
Braxton completed 12 of his 17 passes for 230 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
Southern Miss improves to 5-2 and now has more wins than it produced over the last two seasons combined. It’s won 12 of the last 13 meetings with UL and has not lost in Lafayette since 1993.
The Golden Eagles sit atop the Sun Belt West along with 3-0 Troy. Southern Miss returns home for the first time since Sept. 27 next Saturday when it hosts ULM. That game will kick at 2:30 p.m. on ESPN+.
