In the first game back since head coach Will Hall announced he was relinquishing play-calling duties, the Southern Miss offense was the best it’s been all season, but it wasn’t enough as the Golden Eagles fell to high-powered Appalachian State 48-38 on Saturday.
Southern Miss (1-7, 0-5 Sun Belt) jumped out to a 24-14 halftime lead over Appalachian State (4-4, 2-2), which had fans and former players buzzing over the team’s new-look offense.
Literally brand new playcalling and brand new vibe. CAN WE START THE SEASON ALL OVER?!?🙏 @SouthernMissFB pic.twitter.com/vyPyKSRN2Y
— Marchant Kenney (@marchant_kenney) October 28, 2023
i mean this is a completely different football team. i want to be mad that the playcalling change wasn’t made sooner but all i feel is joy rn. #SMTTT
— Destiny Blackwell (@destinybwell) October 28, 2023
The best offensive minds in football. pic.twitter.com/R2PobgmMnl
— Patrick McGee (@wpmcgee) October 28, 2023
The two-possession cushion wasn’t enough though as the Golden Eagles fumbled on their own one-yard line late in the third quarter, allowing the Mountaineers to score on the next play and pull within three.
Southern Miss responded on the first drive of the fourth quarter with running back Jakarius Caston finding the end zone from 11 yards out to push the lead back to 10. That’s when App State really hit its stride and exploded for scoring drives on two of its next three possessions to take a late 42-38 lead.
A Southern Miss turnover on downs on the Mountaineer’s 30-yard line was turned into the final nail in the coffin as quarterback Joey Aguilar and company closed the game with a six-play, 70-yard scoring drive to make for App State’s first-ever win over the Golden Eagles.
Leading the box score for Southern Miss was running back Frank Gore, Jr., who ran the ball 24 times for 247 yards with two touchdowns. It was the eleventh time the junior had eclipsed the 100-yard mark in his career, tying him with Sam DeJarnette for fifth in Southern Miss history.
Clemson transfer Billy Wiles went 23 of 41 passing for 287 yards with a first-quarter touchdown to Latreal Jones. Wiles was also credited with the third-quarter fumble. Speedy wideout Tiqaquelin Mims had a career game with 141 yards on 10 receptions, while Jalil Clemons led the defense with nine total tackles, 3.5 for loss, and 2.5 sacks.
Next up for Southern Miss will be a home game against the University of Louisiana-Monroe on Saturday, Nov. 4. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. CT.
