# 2017 Southern Miss Golden Eagles football team

The 2017 Southern Miss Golden Eagles football team represented the University of Southern Mississippi in the 2017 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Golden Eagles played their home games at the M. M. Roberts Stadium in Hattiesburg, Mississippi and competed in the West Division of Conference USA (C–USA). They were led by second-year head coach Jay Hopson. They finished the season 8–5, 6–2 in C-USA play to finish in a tie for second place in the West Division. They were invited to the Independence Bowl where they lost to Florida State.

## Schedule

Southern Miss announced its 2017 football schedule on January 26, 2017. The 2017 schedule consists of 6 home and away games in the regular season. The Golden Eagles will host C–USA foes North Texas, UTEP, UAB, and Charlotte, and will travel to UTSA, Louisiana Tech, Rice, and Marshall.
The team will play four non–conference games, two home games against Kentucky from the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and Southern from the Southwestern Athletic Conference, and two road games against ULM from the Sun Belt Conference and Tennessee who is also from the Southeastern Conference.
| Date | Time | Opponent | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
| September 2 | 3:00 p.m. | Kentucky* | M. M. Roberts StadiumHattiesburg, MS | CBSSN | L 17–24 | 22,761 |
| September 9 | 6:00 p.m. | Southern* | M. M. Roberts StadiumHattiesburg, MS | Stadium | W 45–0 | 24,337 |
| September 16 | 6:00 p.m. | at Louisiana–Monroe* | Malone StadiumMonroe, LA | ESPN3 | W 28–17 | 11,061 |
| September 30 | 6:00 p.m. | North Texas | M. M. Roberts StadiumHattiesburg, MS | CUSA.TV | L 28–43 | 21,907 |
| October 7 | 6:00 p.m. | at UTSA | AlamodomeSan Antonio, TX | Stadium | W 31–29 | 23,517 |
| October 14 | 6:00 p.m. | UTEP | M. M. Roberts StadiumHattiesburg, MS | Stadium | W 24–0 | 21,970 |
| October 21 | 6:00 p.m. | at Louisiana Tech | Joe Aillet StadiumRuston, LA (Rivalry in Dixie) | Stadium | W 34–27 $^{2OT}$ | 17,815 |
| October 28 | 6:00 p.m. | UAB | M. M. Roberts StadiumHattiesburg, MS | CUSA.TV | L 12–30 | 19,101 |
| November 4 | 6:30 p.m. | at Tennessee* | Neyland StadiumKnoxville, TN | SECN | L 10–24 | 95,551 |
| November 11 | 2:30 p.m. | at Rice | Rice StadiumHouston, TX | Stadium | W 43–34 | 18,124 |
| November 18 | 2:00 p.m. | Charlotte | M. M. Roberts StadiumHattiesburg, MS | | W 66–21 | 20,189 |
| November 25 | 1:30 p.m. | at Marshall | Joan C. Edwards StadiumHuntington, WV | Stadium | W 28–27 | 18,361 |
| December 27 | 12:30 p.m. | vs. Florida State* | Independence BowlShreveport, LA (Independence Bowl) | ESPN | L 13–42 | 33,601 |
| *Non-conference gameHomecomingAll times are in Central time |||||||
    Schedule Source:

## Game summaries
### Kentucky

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Wildcats | 0 | 14 | 10 | 0 | 24 |
| Golden Eagles | 0 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 17 |
at M. M. Roberts Stadium, Hattiesburg, MS
* Date: September 2
* Game time: 3:00 p.m. CDT
* Game weather: 86°F • N 4 • Sunny
* Game attendance: 22,761
* Referee: Hubert Owens
* TV: CBSSN
* Southern Miss vs Kentucky
Game information :
Second quarter
14:54 Kentucky – Stephen Johnson 8 yard run (Austin MacGinnis kick), Kentucky 7–0. Drive: 3 plays, 14 yards, 1:16
8:21 Southern Miss – Parker Shaunfield 22 yard field goal, Kentucky 7–3. Drive: 14 plays, 82 yards, 6:29
7:01 Kentucky – C.J. Conrad 23 yard pass from Stephen Johnson (Austin MacGinnis kick), Kentucky 14–3. Drive: 3 plays, 37 yards, 1:09
Third quarter
10:40 Southern Miss – Korey Robertson 42 yard pass from Kwadra Griggs (Parker Shaunfield kick), Kentucky 14–10. Drive: 6 plays, 85 yards, 2:12
2:03 Kentucky – Austin MacGinnis 41 yard field goal, Kentucky 17–10. Drive: 7 plays, 31 yards, 3:27
0:49 Kentucky – Denzil Ware 20 yard fumble return (Austin MacGinnis kick), Kentucky 24–10. Drive: 3 plays, -5 yards, 1:14
Fourth quarter
12:42 Southern Miss – Korey Robertson 26 yard pass from Kwadra Griggs (Parker Shaunfield kick), Kentucky 24–17. Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 3:07
Leading Passers
USM – Kwadra Griggs, 15–26, 222 yards, 2 TD
UK – Stephen Johnson, 11–20, 176 yards, 1 TD
Leading Rushers
USM – Ito Smith, 16 carries, 37 yards
UK – Benny Snell Jr., 20 carries, 67 yards
Leading Receivers
USM – Korey Robertson, 7 receptions, 111 yards, 2 TD
UK – C. J. Conrad, 3 receptions, 97 yards, 1 TD
Leading Tacklers
USM – Tarvarius Moore, 8 tackles
UK – Courtney Love, 9 tackles :

### Southern

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Jaguars | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Golden Eagles | 28 | 7 | 10 | 0 | 45 |
at M. M. Roberts Stadium, Hattiesburg, MS
* Date: September 9
* Game time: 6:00 p.m. CDT
* Game weather: 79°F • NNE 7 • Sunny, 51% Humidity
* Game attendance: 24,337
* Referee: Will Williams
* TV: STADIUM
* Southern Miss vs Southern
Game information :
First quarter
10:58 Southern Miss – Xavier Thigpen 0 yard fumble return (Parker Shaunfield kick), Southern Miss 7–0. Drive: 4 plays, -7 yards, 1:36
6:54 Southern Miss – Ito Smith 27 yard run (Parker Shaunfield kick), Southern Miss 14–0. Drive: 6 plays, 69 yards, 2:19
5:47 Southern Miss – Allenzae Staggers 20 yard pass from Kwadra Griggs (Parker Shaunfield kick), Southern Miss 21–0. Drive: 2 plays, 12 yards, 0:55
3:22 Southern Miss – T'Rod Daniels 49 yard run (Parker Shaunfield kick), Southern Miss 28–0. Drive: 2 plays, 50 yards, 0:31
Second quarter
5:53 Southern Miss – Quez Watkins 26 yard pass from Kwadra Griggs (Parker Shaunfield kick), Southern Miss 35–0. Drive: 4 plays, 78 yards, 1:36
Third quarter
14:37 Southern Miss – Cornell Armstrong 46 yard interception return (Parker Shaunfield kick), Southern Miss 42–0. Drive: 3 plays, -5 yards, 0:23
0:00 Southern Miss – Parker Shaunfield 28 yard field goal, Southern Miss 45–0. Drive: 11 plays, 72 yards, 4:31
Leading Passers
SOU – Darquez Lee, 5–10, 56 yards
USM – Kwadra Griggs, 15–23, 209 yards, 2 TD
Leading Rushers
SOU – Devon Benn, 8 carries, 42 yards
USM – Trod Daniels, 10 carries, 83 yards, 1 TD
Leading Receivers
SOU – Jamar Washington, 3 receptions, 36 yards
USM – Allenzae Staggers, 5 receptions, 62 yards, 1 TD
Leading Tacklers
SOU – Andrea Augustine, 8 tackles
USM – Tyler Barnes, 5 tackles :

### @ Louisiana–Monroe

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Golden Eagles | 7 | 14 | 7 | 0 | 28 |
| Warhawks | 0 | 10 | 7 | 0 | 17 |
at Malone Stadium, Monroe, LA
* Date: September 16
* Game time: 6:00 p.m. CDT
* Game weather: 88°F • SE 5 • Partly Cloudy
* Game attendance: 11,061
* Referee: Justin Elliot
* TV: ESPN3
* Southern Miss vs Louisiana–Monroe
Game information :
First quarter
10:38 Southern Miss – Korey Robertson 15 yard pass from Kwadra Griggs (Parker Shaunfield kick), Southern Miss 7–0. Drive: 9 plays, 68 yards, 3:21
Second quarter
14:36 Louisiana–Monroe – Caleb Evans 1 yard run (Craig Ford kick), Tied 7–7. Drive: 10 plays, 76 yards, 3:39
12:05 Southern Miss – Ito Smith 27 yard run (Parker Shaunfield kick), Southern Miss 14–7. Drive: 6 plays, 74 yards, 2:31
3:17 Louisiana–Monroe – Craig Ford 19 yard field goal, Southern Miss 14–10. Drive: 9 plays, 59 yards, 4:36
1:51 Southern Miss – Korey Robertson 20 yard pass from Kwadra Griggs (Parker Shaunfield kick), Southern Miss 21–10. Drive: 5 plays, 78 yards, 1:26
Third quarter
8:55 Louisiana–Monroe – Caleb Evans 67 yard run (Craig Ford kick), Southern Miss 21–17. Drive: 1 play, 67 yards, 0:11
5:31 Southern Miss – Allenzae Staggers 42 yard pass from Kwadra Griggs (Parker Shaunfield kick), Southern Miss 28–17. Drive: 9 plays, 79 yards, 3:24
Leading Passers
USM – Kwadra Griggs, 17–32, 250 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT
ULM – Garret Smith, 4–9, 60 yards
Leading Rushers
USM – Ito Smith, 27 carries, 219 yards, 1 TD
ULM – Derrick Gore, 18 carries, 96 yards
Leading Receivers
USM – Allanzae Staggers, 4 receptions, 75 yards, 1 TD
ULM – J. Pederson, 3 receptions, 42 yards
Leading Tacklers
USM – Kelsey Douglas, 7 tackles
ULM – David Griffith, 9 tackles :

### North Texas

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Mean Green | 7 | 10 | 16 | 10 | 43 |
| Golden Eagles | 14 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 28 |
at M. M. Roberts Stadium, Hattiesburg, MS
* Date: September 30
* Game time: 6:00 p.m. CDT
* Game weather: 85°F • NNE 4 • Mostly Cloudy
* Game attendance: 21,907
* Referee: S. LaMantia
* TV: CUSA.TV
* Southern Miss vs North Texas
Game information :
First quarter
11:44 Southern Miss – Allenzae Staggers 7 yard pass from Kwadra Griggs (Parker Shaunfield kick), Southern Miss 7–0 Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 3:16
5:38 Southern Miss – Kwadre Griggs 4 yard run (Parker Shaunfield kick), Southern Miss 14–0 Drive: 7 plays, 64 yards, 2:01
0:47 North Texas – Jeffrey Wilson 46 yard run (Trevor Moore kick), Southern Miss 14–7 Drive: 4 plays, 55 yards, 1:17
Second quarter
10:00 Southern Miss – Ito Smith 65 yard run (Parker Shaunfield kick), Southern Miss 21–7 Drive: 5 plays, 77 yards, 2:09
2:42 North Texas – Jaylen Guyton 2 yard pass from Mason Fine (Trevor Moore kick), Southern Miss 21–14 Drive: 12 plays, 95 yards, 5:11
0:00 North Texas – Trevor Moore 48 yard field goal, Southern Miss 21–17 Drive: 8 plays, 49 yards, 0:54
Third quarter
9:01 North Texas – Trevor Moore 20 yard field goal, Southern Miss 21–20 Drive: 14 plays, 72 yards, 5:59
4:08 North Texas – Rico Bussey 16 yard pass from Mason Fine (Trevor Moore kick), North Texas 27–21 Drive: 6 plays, 71 yards, 1:56
2:49 North Texas – Jeffrey Wilson 43 yard run (Mason Fine pass fail), North Texas 33–21 Drive: 3 plays, 51 yards, 0:25
0:00 Southern Miss – Ito Smith 4 yard run (Parker Shaunfield kick), North Texas 33–28 Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 2:49
Fourth quarter
11:29 North Texas – Jeffrey Wilson 6 yard run (Trevor Moore kick), North Texas 40–28 Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 3:31
4:30 North Texas – Trevor Moore 44 yard field goal, North Texas 43–28 Drive: 11 plays, 58 yards, 5:38
Leading Passers
UNT – TD Mason Fine, 24-40, 366 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
USM – Kwadra Griggs, 19-42, 270 yards, 1 TD
Leading Rushers
UNT – Jeffrey Wilson, 30 carries, 148 yards, 3 TD
USM – Ito Smith, 13 carries, 102 yards, 2 TD
Leading Receivers
UNT – Jalen Guyton, 14 receptions, 211 yards, 1 TD
USM – Allenze Staggers, 5 receptions, 112 yards, 1 TD
Leading Tacklers
UNT – E. J. Ejiya, 10 tackles
USM – Curtis Mikell, 12 tackles :

### @ UTSA

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Golden Eagles | 7 | 0 | 14 | 10 | 31 |
| Roadrunners | 3 | 10 | 0 | 16 | 29 |
at Alamodome, San Antonio, TX
* Date: October 7
* Game time: 6:00 p.m. CDT
* Game weather: indoors
* Game attendance: 23,517
* Referee: Dan Gautreaux
* TV: STADIUM
* Southern Miss at UTSA
Game information :
First quarter
11:02 UTSA – Jared Sackett 38 yard field goal, UTSA 3–0 Drive: 10 plays, 56 yards, 3:58
9:34 Southern Miss – Jay'Shaw Washington 32 yard pass from Keon Howard (Parker Shaunfield kick), Southern Miss 7–3 Drive: 4 plays, 64 yards, 1:28
Second quarter
2:52 UTSA – Joah Stewart 21 yard pass from Dalton Strum (Jared Sackett kick), UTSA 10–7 Drive: 11 plays, 92 yards, 4:56
0:32 UTSA – Jared Sackett 40 yard field goal, UTSA 13–7 Drive: 5 plays, 42 yards, 1:02
Third quarter
2:52 Southern Miss – Korey Robertson 20 yard pass from Keon Howard (Parker Shaunfield kick), Southern Miss 14–13 Drive: 4 plays, 39 yards, 1:44
1:05 Southern Miss – Quez Watkins 48 yard pass from Keon Howard (Parker Shaunfield kick), Southern Miss 21–13 Drive: 1 play, 48 yards, 0:09
Fourth quarter
13:20 Southern Miss – Ito Smith 89 yard run (Parker Shaunfield kick), Southern Miss 28–13 Drive: 1 play, 89 yards, 0:14
9:48 UTSA – Marquez McNair 28 yard pass from Strum (Sackett kick), Southern Miss 28–20 Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 3:32
7:33 UTSA – Jared Sackett 44 yard field goal, Southern Miss 28–23 Drive: 4 plays, 5 yards, 1:27
1:56 Southern Miss – Parker Shaunfield 24 yard field goal, Southern Miss 31–23 Drive: 12 plays, 69 yards, 5:37
0:48 UTSA – McNair 24 yard pass from Strum (two-point pass conv. failed), Southern Miss 31–29 Drive: 5 plays, 53 yards, 1:08
Leading Passers
USM –
UTSA –
Leading Rushers
USM –
UTSA –
Leading Receivers
USM –
UTSA –
Leading Tacklers
USM –
UTSA – :

### UTEP

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Miners | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Golden Eagles | 7 | 7 | 0 | 10 | 24 |
at M. M. Roberts Stadium, Hattiesburg, MS
* Date: October 14
* Game time: 6:00 p.m. CDT
Game information :
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Leading Passers
UTEP –
USM –
Leading Rushers
UTEP –
USM –
Leading Receivers
UTEP –
USM –
Leading Tacklers
UTEP –
USM – :

### @ Louisiana Tech

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | 2OT | Total |
| Golden Eagles | 3 | 7 | 6 | 11 | 0 | 7 | 34 |
| Bulldogs | 3 | 14 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 27 |
at Joe Aillet Stadium, Ruston, LA
* Date: October 21
* Game time: 6:00 p.m. CDT
* Game weather: 80°F · SE 15 · Cloudy
* Game attendance: 17,815
* Referee: Ken Antee
* TV: STADIUM
* Southern Miss vs Louisiana Tech
Game information :
First quarter
9:58 Louisiana Tech - J. Barnes 23 yard field goal, Louisiana Tech 3–0. Drive: 9 plays, 86 yards, 2:59
0:53 Southern Miss - Parker Shaunfield 45 yard field goal, Tied 3-3. Drive: 10 plays, 44 yards, 3:46
Second quarter
14:18 Louisiana Tech - Boston Scott 15 yard run (J. Barnes kick), Louisiana Tech 10-3. Drive: 4 plays, 65 yards, 1:35
10:36 Southern Miss - Ito Smith 23 yard pass from Keon Howard (Parker Shaunfield kick), Tied 10-10 Drive: 10 plays, 78 yards, 3:42
2:32 Louisiana Tech - Daryl Lewis 63 yard interception return (J. Barnes kick), Louisiana Tech 17-10.
Third quarter
11:17 Southern Miss - Parker Shaunfield 34 yard field goal, Louisiana Tech 17-13. Drive: 7 plays, 32 yards, 2:36
0:35 Southern Miss - Parker Shaunfield 26 yard field goal, Louisiana Tech 17-16. Drive: 18 plays, 73 yards, 8:45
Fourth quarter
11:38 Louisiana Tech - J. Barnes 45 yard field goal, Louisiana Tech 20–16. Drive: 4 plays, 3 yards, 1:33
4:08 Louisiana Tech - J'Mar Smith 2 yard run (J. Barnes kick), Louisiana Tech 27-16. Drive: 5 plays, 96 yards, 2:02
1:23 Southern Miss - Parker Shaunfield 49 yard field goal, Louisiana Tech 27-19. Drive: 12 plays, 43 yards, 2:45
0:31 Southern Miss - Korey Robertson 22 yard pass from Keon Howard (Jay'Shaw Washington pass from Keon Howard), Tied 27-27 Drive: 3 plays, 63 yards, 0:52
Overtime
15:00 Southern Miss - Korey Robertson 25 yard pass from Keon Howard (Parker Shaunfield kick), Southern Miss 34-27 Drive: 1 plays, 25 yards, 0:00
Leading Passers
USM – Keon Howard, 32-53, 301 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT
LTU – J'Mar Smith, 11-28, 194 yards, 1 INT
Leading Rushers
USM – Tez Parks, 15 carries, 77 yards
LTU – Boston Scott, 11 carries, 106 yards, 1 TD
Leading Receivers
USM – Korey Robertson, 9 receptions, 127 yards, 2 TD
LSU – Marlon Watts, 121 yards
Leading Tacklers
USM – Tarvarias Moore, 10 tackles
LSU – D. Washington, 14 tackles :

### UAB

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Blazers | 7 | 0 | 6 | 17 | 30 |
| Golden Eagles | 9 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
at M. M. Roberts Stadium, Hattiesburg, MS
* Date: October 28
* Game time: 6:00 p.m. CDT
Game information :
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Leading Passers
UAB –
USM –
Leading Rushers
UAB –
USM –
Leading Receivers
UAB –
USM –
Leading Tacklers
UAB –
USM – :

### @ Tennessee

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Golden Eagles | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 10 |
| Volunteers | 7 | 3 | 14 | 0 | 24 |
at Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, TN
* Date: November 4
* Game time: 6:30 p.m. CDT
* Game attendance: 95,551
Game information :
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Leading Passers
USM –
TENN –
Leading Rushers
USM –
TENN –
Leading Receivers
USM –
TENN –
Leading Tacklers
USM –
TENN – :

### @ Rice

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Golden Eagles | 10 | 12 | 14 | 7 | 43 |
| Owls | 0 | 14 | 13 | 7 | 34 |
at Rice Stadium, Houston, TX
* Date: November 11
* Game time: 2:30 p.m. CST
* Game attendance: 18,124
Game information :
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Leading Passers
USM –
RU –
Leading Rushers
USM –
RU –
Leading Receivers
USM –
RU –
Leading Tacklers
USM –
RU – :

### Charlotte

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| 49ers | 0 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 21 |
| Golden Eagles | 13 | 25 | 14 | 14 | 66 |
at M. M. Roberts Stadium, Hattiesburg, MS
* Date: November 18
* Game time: 2:00 p.m. CST
* Game attendance: 20,189
Game information :
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Leading Passers
UNCC –
USM –
Leading Rushers
UNCC –
USM –
Leading Receivers
UNCC –
USM –
Leading Tacklers
UNCC –
USM – :

### @ Marshall

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Golden Eagles | 0 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 28 |
| Thundering Herd | 0 | 14 | 7 | 6 | 27 |
at Joan C. Edwards Stadium, Huntington, WV
* Date: November 25
* Game time: 1:30 p.m. CST
* Game attendance: 18,361
Game information :
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Leading Passers
USM –
MU –
Leading Rushers
USM –
MU –
Leading Receivers
USM –
MU –
Leading Tacklers
USM –
MU – :

### vs Florida State–Independence Bowl

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Golden Eagles | 6 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 13 |
| Seminoles | 7 | 16 | 10 | 9 | 42 |
at Independence Stadium, Shreveport, LA
* Date: December 27
* Game time: 12:30 p.m. CST
* Game attendance: 33,601
Game information :
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Leading Passers
USM –
FSU –
Leading Rushers
USM –
FSU –
Leading Receivers
USM –
FSU –
Leading Tacklers
USM –
FSU – :