USM
LT
APP
MRSH
TROY
USA
GASO
GAST
ARST
CCU
JMU
CONN
UL
ULM
ODU
UNT
GCU
NICH
LONG
YSU
ASU
UCF
TXST
NCSU
CLT
LMU
JKST
DEL
NORF
This Saturday, a rivalry will be renewed as the Southern Miss Golden Eagles clash on the road with the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs for the 55th meeting of the “Rivalry in Dixie.”
The Golden Eagles hold a 38-18 advantage in a rivalry that has spanned just over nine decades and four different conferences. It’s been an even split over the last 10 contests, with the Golden Eagles and Bulldogs each claiming five wins.
LA Tech’s Sun Belt Perfection
The Bulldogs made the jump from Conference USA to the Sun Belt (SBC) during the previous offseason. Since their 2-2 start, Louisiana Tech has won six straight, improving their record to 7-2 overall and a perfect 5-0 in SBC play.
Louisiana Tech has shown dominance on both sides of the ball, boasting top-three offenses and defenses in the Sun Belt. The Bulldogs are averaging 31.6 points per game against SBC opponents while only allowing 13.6 points per game in conference play.
On the offensive side, Louisiana Tech has showcased a potent passing attack. Redshirt junior quarterback Blake Baker is putting together a career season, throwing for 1,504 yards and 14 touchdowns while recording just one interception through eight games. Baker appeared in only eight games last season after suffering a torn ACL late in the year.
Despite the setbacks, he has found his rhythm this season, surpassing 150 passing yards in all five conference games and eclipsing the 300-yard mark twice. However, Baker’s availability for Saturday remains uncertain after suffering a leg injury in their win against Troy last week.
The Bulldogs’ potent offense is complemented by a staunch defense that has excelled at creating turnovers and getting into the backfield throughout the season. Louisiana Tech’s defense has recorded 25 sacks, ranking 22nd nationally, and boasts a +11 turnover margin, which ranks sixth in the NCAA.
Leading the charge on defense is redshirt sophomore linebacker Alonzo Jackson Jr. Jackson has recorded nine sacks this season, including at least half a sack in each of his last three games. He has also forced two fumbles and recovered three, with one of those recoveries resulting in a 66-yard touchdown.
The only weakness in this Bulldogs team is they have trouble establishing the run. Louisiana Tech has only had three games this season of 150 or more rush yards with none of their running backs surpassing the 100 rush yard mark in any game this season.
Golden Eagles Seek Upset With Their Backs Against the Wall
Postseason aspirations for Southern Miss are still very much alive despite last week’s loss to JMU. The Golden Eagles sit at 3-6 overall with a 2-3 conference record. Although there is still a path to the conference championship, it will be do-or-die every week.
Southern Miss put together a solid first half against the Dukes, trailing by just two points at halftime. JMU then scored on four consecutive drives, totaling 28 points before the Golden Eagles finally answered back.
Coach Blake Anderson addressed the stark contrast between the first and second halves against the Dukes in a postgame interview.
“We played a really good first half, and then they just disappeared in that middle—those last minutes of the first half and the first five or six minutes of the third quarter. I felt like we made too many mistakes to stay in that game the way we wanted to,” Anderson said.
The running game has been the backbone of the Golden Eagles’ offense, ranking seventh in the conference in rushing offense. Prior to the matchup against JMU, Southern Miss was averaging 173.6 rushing yards per game. Additionally, the Golden Eagles were coming off back-to-back games with more than 200 rushing yards.
The Dukes boast the Sun Belt’s top-ranked rushing defense, which helped them become one of just three teams this season to hold the Golden Eagles to fewer than 100 rushing yards.
Where the Golden Eagles’ offense benefits is in its balance between the running and passing games. Southern Miss also ranks seventh in the conference in passing offense and has recorded just one game with fewer than 150 passing yards. Despite its struggles on the ground against JMU, the Golden Eagles found success through the air against a Dukes defense that ranks second-to-last in the conference in passing defense.
The key for Southern Miss will be to lean on its strong running game to open up opportunities through the air. This will be a tall task against an LA Tech team that boasts a top-five rushing and passing defense in the Sun Belt.
Southern Miss @ Louisiana Tech
Joe Aillet Stadium
Kickoff: Saturday November 14, at 4:00 p.m. CST (5:00 p.m. EST)
TV: ESPN+
Radio: Southern Miss Sports Network (Southern Miss) / 107.5 FM (Louisiana Tech)
Game Information: Southern Miss @ Louisiana Tech
Tickets: Louisiana Tech Athletics