2016 Recap
Record: 7-6
Wins: Kentucky, Savannah State, UTEP, Rice, Marshall, Louisiana Tech, Louisiana-Lafayette
Losses: Troy, UTSA, LSU, Charlotte, Old Dominion, North Texas
Notes: In 2015, Southern Miss. found themselves as the C-USA West Division Champions. The Golden Eagles put up a fight against WKU in the C-USA Championship but were ultimately defeated 45-28. By 2015, third year head coach Todd Monken had done a phenomenal job turning the program around.
-2013 record (Monken 1st year): 1-11
-2014 record (2nd year): 3-9
-2015 record (3rd year): 9-5
With such success, a Monken departure seemed inevitable. So it came at no surprise that on January 24, 2016, Monken was announced as the new Offensive Coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Jay Hopson was then named the Golden Eagles' new coach. In his debut season, Hopson and the Golden Eagles went 7-6 and defeated Louisiana-Lafayette in the New Orleans Bowl. The season was neither impressive nor a major disappointment.
2017 Preview
Offense
Obviously, replacing stud quarterback Nick Mullens has headlined much of the preseason. Since Mullens departure, a quarterback battle between Keon Howard and Kwadra Griggs has ensued. When Mullens suffered a concussion against Charlotte in 2016 and with backup quarterback Parker Adamson also injured, Howard was called upon to take charge. Howard struggled as he went 22-50 for 365 yards, 1 touchdown, and threw 4 interceptions against Old Dominion and North Texas.
By contrast, the skill positions will be the Golden Eagles most stable group and one of the team's biggest strengths.
Running back Ito Smith worked his way up the Golden Eagles' career lists last season. Smith rushed 265 times for 1,459 yards and 17 touchdowns. In addition, the senior running back had 8 100+ yard efforts. By mid-season, Smith should be Southern Miss.' #2 all-time leading rusher.
Whoever the quarterback, Allenzae Staggers will be the best target. In 2016, Staggers hauled in 63 catches for 1,165 yards and 7 touchdowns. After Staggers, D.J. Thompson was the next leading receiver; however, with Thompson gone, Ito Smith, Korey Robertson, and Florida State transfer Isaiah Jones were the next leading receivers. Jones had a good start to 2016: racking up 93 yards and 1 touchdown against Kentucky and 82 yards and 1 touchdown against Savannah State. After Kentucky and Savannah State, Jones struggled with drops.
The offensive line only returns 2 starters and will have to rely on some redshirt freshmen and transfers. This will be the Golden Eagles' least experienced o-line in three years. Between the quarterback battle and a young offensive line, Southern Miss. will have to get it right early on or they might not reach their full potential.
Defense
The defensive unit was mostly solid in 2016: finishing 1st in C-USA (#14 in nation) in total defense and 4th in scoring defense. In addition, the secondary was 11th in the nation in pass defense. However, giving up 55 points to UTSA, 51 points to Old Dominion, and 38 points to Charlotte was...odd...
The secondary returns Picasso Nelson (Jr.) (NB) who was the 3rd leading tackler in 2016. Nelson accumulated 48 total tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, 2 pass breakups, and 4 pass deflections. Cornerbacks Cornell Armstrong and Trae Collins both return, as well. Armstrong was the 4th leading tackler behind Nelson with 47 total tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 interception, 8 pass breakups, and 9 pass deflections. However, the secondary lost star safety and all-conference performer D'Nerius Antoine who was an absolute threat last year (86 total tackles (led team), 3 tackles for loss, 1 interception, 5 pass breakups, 5 pass deflection, and 1 forced fumble) as well as Devonta Foster.
Linebackers seem to be a bit of a question without all-conference performer Elijah Parker who posted 43 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, 3 pass breakups, 3 pass deflections, and 1 quarterback hurry. Sherrod Ruff will return to help stabilize the LBs. Ruff had 37 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 3 quarterback hurries, and 3 forced fumbles.
The defensive line should be sound in 2017. Despite losing a few guys, including Dylan Bradley (64 total tackles (2nd leading tackler), 15 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, 3 pass breakups, 3 pass deflections 1 fumble recovery, 2 forced fumbles, and 2 blocked kicks), the team returns 2 starters and 2 others with starting experience. Defensive lineman Xavier Thigpen should see another impressive season after posting 33 total tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, 2 pass breakups, 2 pass deflections, 6 quarterback hurries, 1 fumble recovery, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 blocked kick in 2016. In 2016 the d-line made it as undersized, and should have no issues in 2017 with added size.
Special Teams
Place-kicker Parker Shaunfield returns to the Golden Eagles after making 12-14 field goals. However, they lose punter Tyler Sarrazin who averaged 44.7 yards per punt with 15 inside of the 20. Sarrazin was also in charge of kickoffs. Special teams ranked 118th nationally in kickoff returns and 96th in kickoff coverage. There is much work to be done.
Summary
Souther Miss. could absolutely be a contender for C-USA West. Or, they could fall flat. A lot depends on the quarterback battle, the offensive line, and a defense that had a couple of random meltdowns last year. Despite the inexperience of some players and positions, guys like Ito Smith, Allenzae Staggers, Picasso Nelson Jr., Cornell Armstrong, Trae Collins, and Xavier Thigpen are too good for us to believe Southern Miss. will dip below the top 5 in the conference.
Starting off the season with a win against Kentucky at [Southern Miss.] M.M. Roberts Stadium could kick things into high-gear.
Schedule & Prediction:
Sept. 2 vs Kentucky
Sept. 9 vs Southern
Sept. 16 @ ULM
Sept. 30 vs North Texas
Oct. 7 @ UTSA
Oct. 14 vs UTEP
Oct. 21 @ Louisiana Tech
Oct. 28 vs UAB
Nov. 4 @ Tennessee
Nov. 11 @ Rice
Nov. 18 vs Charlotte
Nov. 25 @ Marshall
Record: 7-5
Projected Wins: Southern, ULM, North Texas, UTEP, Rice, UAB, Charlotte
Projected Losses: Kentucky, UTSA, Louisiana Tech, Tennessee, Marshall
Previous Rankings:
