Late-season struggles for Southern Miss continued as the Golden Eagles, playing in the postseason for the first time since 2022, lost their fourth game in a row on Tuesday in the New Orleans Bowl. The final score was 27-16 in favor of Western Kentucky.
Southern Miss (7-6) was mostly inefficient on offense as Western Kentucky (9-4) gained 334 of its 422 total yards of offense in the second half after being down 13-6 through two quarters of play.
Here’s how the rest of the New Orleans Bowl happened.
Scoring summary
Southern Miss quarterback Braylon Braxton threw a 35-yard touchdown pass to Tychaun Chapman on the second series of the game to give the Golden Eagles an early 7-3 lead. Two field goals by Creighton Wilbanks in the second quarter made for a 13-6 halftime lead in favor of Southern Miss. Western Kentucky kicker John Cannon was 2-for-2 on field goals in the first half.
Western Kentucky’s offense, which was mostly flat in the first half, found some flare when Maverick McIvor entered the game at quarterback after Conference USA Freshman of the Year Rodney Tisdale Jr. went down with an injury.
To start the second half, McIvor tied the game up on an 11-yard touchdown run. Southern Miss countered with a 41-yard field goal off the foot of Wilbanks before McIvor and the Hilltoppers rallied for a pair of touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Those scores came on a short run by George Hart III and a 54-yard run by Marvis Parrish.
As Southern Miss failed to find any offensive production in the fourth quarter, Western Kentucky went on to win 27-16.
What the coach said
Newly minted Southern Miss head coach Blake Anderson, who served as the team’s offensive coordinator during the regular season, was pleased with how the defense played but disappointed that his offense couldn’t help them out more.
“Our defense played lights out and we deserved to win the game for the seniors. Offensively, we have struggled down the stretch,” Anderson said. “Great effort, poor execution. This is my fault, and it’s going to change during the offseason starting with recruiting.”
When asked if he’s already begun holding individual meetings with current players ahead of the transfer portal opening on Jan. 2, Anderson said he has “met with every player that has the opportunity to return.” He predicted a lot to stay in Hattiesburg but some to join recently departed head coach Charles Huff at Memphis.
Player stats
Braxton was 24-for-27 passing with 258 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. He spread the ball out as five receivers had three or more catches. Chapman had the lone touchdown reception. Jeffery Pittman led the rushing attack with 55 yards on 10 carries.
On defense, both Corey Myrick and JJ Hawkins recorded interceptions. Myrick led the team with six tackles, and Michael Montgomery had 1.5 sacks.
McIvor led Western Kentucky with 199 passing yards and a rushing score in just over a half of play. While he did throw an interception, he orchestrated a handful of drives in the second half that saw the Hilltoppers reclaim and keep the lead. Tisdale threw for 65 yards and an interception before getting injured. Matthew Henry had seven catches for 126 yards. Parrish and Hart each had rushing touchdowns.
On defense, Jaylen Lewis notched an interception while Jaylen Wester led the way on the tackling front with seven total and one sack.