GAME DAY 17
OFFENSE
Southern Miss'offense is driven by the
running game. Senior tailback Damion Fletcher gets the bulk of the carries and is a very consistent runner, picking up 115 yards in a 37-34 victory against Virginia last weekend. Sophomore
Fletcher
receiver DeAndre Brown is the main vertical threat, but he is still recovering from an injury. Southern Miss will also likely use its Eagle formation, snapping the ball to one of two running backs.
DEFENSE
The Golden Eagle defense has held
against the run, but Virginia quarterback Jameel Sewell racked up 312 yards against the secondary. When it mattered most, though, the defense got six stops on the
Williams
last six possessions of the game. Sophomore linebacker Korey Williams leads the team in tackles with 22, tackles for a loss with 4.0 and sacks with 3.0.
Coach Larry Fedora went into the game against Virginia
SPECIAL TEAMS
knowing Southern Miss needed to make a "game-changing play" on special teams. With his team trailing by 17 in the middle of the third quarter, senior receiver Freddie Parham returned a kickoff for 100 yards to keep Southern Miss within striking distance. Junior kicker Justin Estes is reliable but doesn't have extensive kicking range.
Parham
When Larry Fedora took the job at Southern Miss before
COACHING
last year, he vowed to "attack" in all aspects of the game. Fedora also has ties to the Big 12 — he spent three years as offensive coordinator for Oklahoma State's high-powered offense. With experience facing big-time programs in massive stadiums, you can bet Southern Miss will be mentally ready to square off with Kansas.
Fedora
Southern Miss definitely had to work to take down Virginia, but this team is streaking. In fact, with eight consecutive wins, it holds the second-longest winning streak in the nation, tied with in-state rival Mississippi. A matchup with a hot Houston team looms in about a month, but the Golden Eagles might be looking at a 10-win season if they can knock off Kansas on the road.
MOMENTUM
- Clark Goble
will cheer if...
secondary continues playing well this season. He experienced position and personnel by this year, but it's still managed toosing offenses.The Golden Eagles have aarterback,Austin Davis,and an even morede receiver, DeAndre Brown. They'll presest.
ay will weep if...
ass continue dropping passes. Kansas has many passes this season, including two touchdowns against Duke on Saturday. Ass it a trend that has to stop, especially over teams.
Prediction: nansas 38, Southern Miss 24
Offense
GOLDEN EAGLES STARTING LINEUP
Pos. Name Number Year
QB Austin Davis 12 So.
RB Damion Fletcher 25 Sr.
WR Johdrick Morris 83 Jr.
WR Freddie Parham 6 Sr.
WR Gerald Baptiste 86 Sr.
TE Johnathan Massey 19 Jr.
T Kyle Burkhart 73 Sr.
G Micah Brown 69 Sr.
C Cameron Zipp 59 Jr.
G Ryan Herbert 71 Sr.
T Brennan Houston 70 Sr..
P Peter Boehme 31 Fr.
Defense
Pos. Name Number Year
DE Deddrick Jones 91 So.
NT Anthony Gray 95 Jr.
DT Terrance Pope 90 So.
DE Roshaad Byrd 45 Jr.
LB Ronnie Thornton 56 So.
LB Korey Williams 42 So.
LB Kane Wommack 37 Sr.
CB Andre Watson 12 Sr.
S Justin Wilson 8 Jr.
S Eddie Hicks 18 Sr.
CB C.J. Bailey 20 Jr.
K Justin Estes 39 Jr.
AT A GLANCE
With 15 straight winning seasons and six consecutive bowl appearances, Southern Miss is somewhat overlooked in the national picture. But this team is very,very dangerous. If it can establish the running game and grab an early lead, it could be difficult for Kansas to come back.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Sophomore receiver DeAndre
Brown He likely won't start, but the Freshman All-American from 2008 was named to Phil Steele's third team Preseason All-American team. His recovery from a broken leg has slowed his
Brown
but he is still a playmaker. At 6-foot-6 and 231 pounds, Brown is a straight-up monster.
QUESTION MARKS
How much will Southern Miss use its hybrid Eagle formation?
With the ball being snapped to the running back, this formation can cause a lot of problems for opposing defenses. After using the formation just once in its first two games, Fadora called plays out of it nine times against Virginia.
Is Southern Miss ready to take the next step in becoming a nationally recognized power?
Despite 15 consecutive winning seasons, the Golden Eagles haven't won more than 10 games since 1988. A victory against a ranked BCS program on the road would do wonders for Southern Miss' national reputation and prospects for a better bowl game.
BY THE NUMBERS
200.0
Passing efficiency of senior running back Tory Harrison after throwing an interception in his only attempt against Virginia
16
Points given up by Southern Miss in the second half so far this season
36 School records broken by Southern Miss' offense in 2008
46 Southern Miss's ranking in CBSports.com 120 football poll
146 Average total yards per game for senior running back Damion Fletcher
AN
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THE WAVE SEPTEMBER 25,2009