Southern Miss jumped out to a fast 14-0 start against Louisiana-Lafayette in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl.
The Golden Eagles started the game, by senior quarterback Nick Mullens hitting junior wide receiver Allenzae Staggers for back-to-back 50-plus yard catches in the first two opening drives. After being set up in the red zone consecutive times, junior running back Ito Smith then picked up two back-to-back touchdowns on each drive.
Staggers’ second catch of 66 yards put him over 1,000 yards on the season and helped him total over 200 yards in the first half alone. The Golden Eagle defense also set an early tone with senior defensive lineman Ja’Boree Poole’s three sacks, a New Orleans Bowl record.