Southern Miss’ losing streak continues as the Golden Eagles dropped their Sun Belt opener to Arkansas State 44-37.
The Golden Eagles had a chance to overcome a 17-point deficit in the fourth quarter as they tied the game at 34. Instead, Southern Miss (1-3, 0-1 Sun Belt) couldn’t maintain its second-half momentum after surrendering a field goal followed by a 62-yard touchdown run to seal Arkansas State’s victory.
“All in all, they played better than us,” said Southern Miss coach Will Hall on the postgame radio show. “They had a blocked punt and won the turnover battle 2-1 and beat us by seven. Those are things that we obviously have to fix moving forward, and they will be fixed.
“It’s not our best performance on defense by any means. We also had two kickoff returns that were tackled at the 15-yard line. We kind of got beat in the kicking game. It’s something we have to shore up and be better at.”
Both teams combined to put 874 yards in total offense, with USM outgaining Arkansas State 449-425.
Southern Miss opened the game with a 12-play, 84-yard scoring drive that ended with Frank Gore Jr. reaching the end zone on a 2-yard run. Despite taking the early lead, the Golden Eagles played from behind for the rest of the night. Notably, Gore finished the game with 132 rushing yards on 20 carries.
After the Red Wolves scored on their first drive to tie the game, Southern Miss quarterback Billy Wiles was intercepted, setting up Arkansas State’s second touchdown to take the lead at 14-7 by the end of the first quarter.
Prior to the end of the quarter, the Red Wolves blocked a punt setting them up at USM’s 26-yard line leading to a 36-yard field goal. However, USM narrowed the answer after Wiles connected with Latreal Jones for a 28-yard touchdown. Both teams then traded field goals before the half to give Arkansas State (2-2, 1-0) a 20-17 lead.
Out of the half, Arkansas State quickly got back on the board with a 60-yard touchdown pass, which was then followed by an 8-yard touchdown run to extend the lead to 34-17. Wiles finished the game 20 of 36, throwing for 215 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.
USM responded with running back Rodrigues Clark breaking out for a 59-yard touchdown run, followed by a 42-yard field goal by Andrew Stein to cut the deficit to 34-27 by the end of the third quarter.
The Golden Eagles could have been on the score board sooner, but a replay review at the end of the third quarter overturned Arkansas State fumbling the ball away. USM’s defense managed to hold the Red Wolves, but the Golden Eagles tied the game with 14 minutes left in the fourth quarter after Wiles found Jakarius Caston for a 22-yard touchdown.
“We gave up some explosive plays and then the two turnovers were big,” Hall said. “The blocked punt was big and that was the difference in the game.”
“The fumble was big where they fumbled. They said it wasn’t enough information to overturn it. That would have given the ball back in scoring position. That was a big one. That one hurt. I think if we keep living right and keep doing right then eventually, we’ll get a break like that at some point.”
After Arkansas State’s two scores in the fourth quarter, Stein managed to kick a field goal with 16 seconds left in the game before attempting an ill-fated onside kick.
Southern Miss will host Texas State next week at M.M. Roberts Stadium at 6 p.m.
“This league is tough, and we know that,” Hall said. “We are 1-3. Those are facts. It is what it is. We are not running from that. We are attacking that head on. We are going to come back home and attack the rest of the reason one game at time and one play at a time.”
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