USF Bulls: A Look Ahead To The Southern Miss Eagles

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The USF Bulls hit the road for the second time in 2024. For the second time in two years, the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide was closer than many thought. The Bulls have two out-of-conference games left before conference play starts. USF will travel to Roberts Stadium in Hattiesburg, Mississippi in week three, home to the Southern Mississippi Eagles. The Eagles lead the series with three wins and only one loss. Southern Miss has a two-game winning streak heading into this game. Kickoff will take place at 7 PM EST. Both teams come into the game with a 1-1 record.

The Southern Mississippi Eagles lost in week one to the Kentucky Wildcats. In that game, they were shut out. Starting quarterback Tate Rodemaker struggled throwing two interceptions. Rodemaker was also a starting quarterback at Florida State. The Wildcats won the turnover battle and scored points off the turnovers. In game two in which the Eagles won, Rodemaker threw no interceptions and two touchdowns. Southern Miss also used the running game that scored two more touchdowns. The defense held the Southeastern Louisiana Lions to just 10 points, all scoring in the first half. The way that the Eagles can beat the Bulls is to have Rodemaker play the same game he played against the Lions. They also need to cut down on the turnovers because they had four in the first two games.

The USF Bulls won the first game versus the Bethune Cookman Wildcats. They handled the Wildcats in all three facets of the game. During the postgame press conference, both the players and head coach Alex Golesh said they would celebrate shortly and get ready for the Crimson Tide. The game started well against Alabama. USF had the game within a point for most of the game before the middle of the fourth quarter. The Bulls down by eight points decide on a fourth and goal to kick a field goal instead of going for a touchdown. After that decision the Bulls’ defense ran out of gas and Alabama scored 28 points in the final quarter. Byrum Brown shined in the game by using his legs. The offense could not get the passing game on track.

For the USF Bulls to beat the Eagles they need to continue to use the running game. Brown will have to do better with completing passes if the defense plays like it has in the first two games and can cause turnovers which they have. In the Alabama game, they forced three fumbles. If Southern Miss turns the ball over USF will easily win. The team believes in coach Golesh, who is looking for them to fix what went wrong against the Crimson Tide. Many will believe that this is a trap game as on the horizon is the Miami Hurricanes. That will take place at home and the final out-of-conference game.

What do to think about the game between the USF Bulls and Southern Miss Eagles? Leave a comment below.

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