Topic: H-D: Southern Miss able to reverse turnover trend

[ZackUSAF82]

By CHRIS TALBOTT

JACKSON, Miss. -- A week after giving away a game, Southern Miss snatched one from Southern Methodist.

The Golden Eagles forced the Mustangs into four turnovers in the 28-7 win Saturday in Hattiesburg that may have signaled a turnaround for struggling Southern Miss. The win came 10 days after Southern Miss turned the ball over seven times in an upset loss to Rice.

"It was good to see us get some turnovers and win that part of the game," coach Jeff Bower said Monday.

The most important turnover came midway through the second quarter when defensive end Robert Henderson smacked the ball out of quarterback Justin Willis' hands and recovered it at the Southern Miss 2-yard line.

The Golden Eagles (3-3 overall, 2-1 Conference USA), who will play Sunday night at Marshall (0-6, 0-2), marched 98 yards to turn a potential 7-0 deficit into a lead. They eventually built a 28-0 advantage.

"We needed that at that point in the game," Henderson said. "They had driven right down the field and we were determined to keep them out of that end zone. We had decided this week we were going to be the ones forcing the turnovers."

Link: http://www.herald-dispatch.com/sports/x2001039940