2009 NCAA - Southern Mississippi
One more team in the C-USA East with a world of optimism heading into the season is USM. The exceptions to the rule here, though, is that it is certainly justified. First-year coach Larry Fedora guided the Golden Eagles to a five-game winning streak to end the season, including a thrilling overtime win over Troy in the New Orleans Bowl. This followed a tough 2-6 start where four of the losses could have gone either way. With 15 starters back and all 12 games slotted in the 'winnable' column (no Alabama, or any other SEC team on the schedule for the first time since the 1980s), it's easy to see why Fedora is understandably excited.
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Southern Mississippi
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The maturity was most evident on defense. In the 2-6 start, USM allowed at least 24 points against everyone. In the four-game stretch to end the regular season, the defense allowed just 35 points TOTAL. Seven starters return and there is plenty of strength up front. The secondary, having allowed 49 touchdown passes the last two years, obviously must take the biggest step forward. Meanwhile, eight starters return to an offense that broke 36 school records and tied six others in Fedora's first year of the no-huddle spread that is designed to put pressure on defenses. Stud RB Damion Fletcher enters his final season with almost 4,300 career rushing yards, and dual-threat QB Austin Davis will make his own case for C-USA offensive player of the year honors. |
ASK the bookie? - The trip to Kansas on Sept. 26 could well be the lone hurdle that stands in the way of an 11-0 start for the Golden Eagles and their massive road trip to East Carolina to end the regular season on Nov. 28. If both teams play as they are capable throughout the conference season, the winner should earn a trip to play the West division winner for the league title.
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