Golden Eagles
Ending the Season in the Big Easy
Southern Miss rebounded off of their loss to conference rival Houston with two much needed wins against conference foes Marshall and Tulsa. The Marshall game featured the Eagles’ first road win of the season in the 27-20 win over the Thundering Herd. This set the stage for a memorable, rainy night at M.M. Roberts Stadium against Tulsa. Why was it memorable? Because it was the last night this class of seniors would ever don the black and gold in the Rock. “It’s going to affect our whole football team,” said head coach Larry Fedora. “They want to send these seniors out the right way. It’s the last time those guys are going to put the black and gold on and walk out into the Rock.” Mission accomplished, as the Golden Eagles downed Tulsa 44-34. “It was crazy,” said senior Information Technology major Will Turnage, a native of New Hebron, Mississippi. “There were sheets of rain falling, it was cold, and the conditions were just miserable; but the student section was full. The fans were there to cheer on some of their favorite players and it was a great sight.” “Greatest fans in the world,” running back
Damion Fletcher said. “They’ve shown lots of support for me through my ups and downs. I’m trying to go out with a bang, playing as hard as I can. It’s tough going out there for the last time. It’s special for me.” This also saw the last night in the Rock for seniors Ryan Hebert, Tory Harrison, Gerald Baptiste, Terrence Conner, and more. “It was sad to see the guys out there for the last time,” said Turnage. “They will be missed next season for sure.” As if all of that didn’t make the night special enough, it put the Golden Eagles into a great position: a “do or die” game for a spot in the Conference championship game against division rival and the defending CUSA Champion East Carolina Pirates. The game was a struggle, with the Eagles finally tying the game in the fourth quarter at 20-20, albeit briefly, as the Pirates blocked the extra point and ran it back to their own end zone for two points. An East Carolina field goal later, and the Eagles’ conference championship hopes were dashed. It wasn’t all a negative note as the winning steak extended to an incredible 16 seasons after finishing 7-5, a game better than
last season. It also set them up for their 8th consecutive bowl game and the thirteenth in fourteen seasons with a berth in the New Orleans Bowl for the second straight year. The Golden Eagles came away disappointed, however, as their inability to slow down running quarterbacks burned them again against the Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders. “It was heart breaking,” said Stephanie Wu, a freshman nursing major from Ridgeland, MS. “The guys poured their hearts into this game and it was sad to see the seniors leave on such a downer.” The season wasn’t a total wash, however, as Damion Fletcher entered NCAA record books as he finished the season 8th all time in rushing yards and became only the 9th player to have four consecutive 1,000 rushing yard seasons. While the season may have ended on two disappointing losses, its hard to complain about a one game regular season improvement and having one of your school’s all time greats and future legends end up in the NCAA record books. Story by Alan Wheat
Photo by Sebe Dale IV
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Southern Miss tight end Leroy Banks and Middle Tennesse State safey Kevin Brown chase after a loose football during the 2009 New Orleans Bowl. Photo by Eli Baylis
Running back Tory Harrison pushes in for a touchdown helping the Eagles win 44-34 in the last home game against Tulsa. Photo by Eli Baylis
Defensive back Marcal Robinson takes a second to cool down before returning to the field against Middle Tennesse State. Photo by Eli Baylis
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