HATTIESBURG — Southern Miss football began its season by taking a punch to the gut.
Leading 24-17 with 1:54 on the clock, the Golden Eagles failed to close, missing an opportunity for a huge, statement-making win against one of the top programs outside the Power 5 over the last three years. The Flames needed four overtimes, but they escaped from Hattiesburg with a 29-27 win.
Here's our report card from the action.
Offense
There were positives to be taken from the Southern Miss offensive performance, to be sure.
The 27 points posted by the Golden Eagles marked the third-highest total of the Will Hall era against FBS opposition.