Topic: Gazette: Momentum back with Southern Miss

[ZackUSAF82]

Golden Eagles snapped two-game slide with win over SMU

By Doug Smock
Staff writer

Southern Mississippi found what Marshall has sought the entire season: A confidence-restoring victory after a tough stretch of defeats.

The Golden Eagles (3-3, 2-1 Conference USA) forced four turnovers Saturday to stymie Southern Methodist 28-7, breaking a two-game losing streak tinged with off-the-field adversity. USM turns its attention to a Sunday night game at Marshall (0-6, 0-2), one which kicks off at 8.

Not only had the Eagles lost at Boise State (38-16) and at home to Rice (31-29), they learned that defensive coordinator Jay Hopson is fighting a reoccurrence of testicular cancer. With homecoming and a near-capacity crowd at Hattiesburg, they needed something to go right.

They got it. USM’s defense wasn’t exactly dominant, allowing 361 total yards and 26 first downs, but LeVance Richmond intercepted a pass in his end zone in the first quarter and Robert Henderson recovered a fumble at his 2-yard line early in the second quarter.

After the fumble, the Eagles drove 98 yards, scored a touchdown and won going away.

A week after the Eagles’ seven-turnover game against Rice, Henderson took matters in his own hands against SMU back Cedric Dorsey, swinging the season’s momentum back in favor of the defending East Division champions.

Link: http://wvgazette.com/section/Sports/Marshall/2007101549