Southern Miss returns to action this Saturday for a critical matchup in Conference USA at North Texas. Coming off a much-needed bye week, the Golden Eagles (2-2) are preparing for their first road conference game of the 2018 season.
Kickoff is scheduled for 1 pm in Denton, Texas.
“It was a good open week, we got some things done,” Southern Miss coach Jay Hopson said in his weekly press conference on Monday. “We took a day like we did two weeks ago for a ‘get better day’ and then we started working on North Texas. We’re getting some guys healthy that we needed to get healthy so it probably hit us at a good time. Hopefully we’ll be 100 percent, full strength and ready to go Saturday.”
Southern Miss last suited up on Sept. 29 at No. 21 Auburn. The Golden Eagles hung around in that one only to come up short, 24-13. The Tigers were ranked No. 8 at the time.
Like Southern Miss, North Texas has tested the SEC waters this season. The Mean Green (5-1) picked up a 44-17 road win over Arkansas back on Sept. 15. Offensively, North Texas is averaging 42 points a game with quarterback Mason Fine under center. Fine is the reigning Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year.
“Every game week is a different week and every team is a different team,” said Hopson. “We understand [Fine] is a good football player. He’s a guy you certainly have to know where he is at all times and have to prepare. North Texas is a balanced attack; they can throw it, but they can also run it so you have to do your due diligence and make sure you’re solid in every aspect.
“That’s coach talk, but it’s true. He makes plays, he can get out of trouble and make things happen with his feet so we have to be prepared.”
Led by first-year starting quarterback Jack Abraham, Southern Miss’ offense is averaging 32 points and 430 yards per game. Abraham has passed for 1263 yards and 11 touchdowns through his first five starts.
Defensively, the Golden Eagles are limiting opponents to 19 points and 289 yards per contest.
Parker Shaunfield continues to shine on special teams for the team. He’s connected on 8-of-10 field goals so far including a career-long of 51 yards against Auburn.
“We’re getting better,” added Hopson. “We’re that football team that’s just going to get better and better and better. I said that earlier in the year with a new quarterback, young receivers and young running backs. We’re seeing it midseason. We’re a football team that we have to get better and better. I like this football team. We’re talented and we haven’t even come close to playing our best football yet.”
