Southern Miss is much more talented than most people think. Yes they made blunder after blunder to Texas State, but sill showed some upside.

Most importantly the defense was clueless last year, often injured and learning a complex scheme. This season they are healthier and playing a better scheme.

In his first game with the Golden Eagles, Bridgford threw for the fifth-most yards in a game for the Golden Eagles with 377 on 28-of-53 passing. His number of completions ranked tied for fifth on the school charts and his no of attempts rank second.

Wide receiver Rickey Bradley, Jr., playing in his first game for the Golden Eagles, caught seven passes for 193 yards. Freshman receiver Tyre'oune Holmes had 12 catches for 96 yards in his first game. Holmes' reception total ties for second-best by a Golden Eagle in a contest and is the most by a Southern Miss player appearing in his first game.