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With just four starters returning from Conference USA’s top defensive team a year ago, there were plenty of questions about the Southern Miss defense entering last week’s opening game against Louisiana-Lafayette.
Consider some of those questions answered, according to Golden Eagles middle linebacker Gerald McRath.
“There were people asking questions about the changes and how things will go,” McRath said after posting 15 tackles in a 51-21 romp over the Ragin’ Cajuns, the 14th double-digit performance of his career. “I think the victory answered those questions for now. We still have things to work on and things we need to improve. We’ll keep working.”
The highlight for the Southern Miss defense was coming up with four turnovers — two interceptions and two fumble recoveries. The interceptions by safety Eddie Hicks on Louisiana-Lafayette’s first possession and cornerback C.J. Bailey late in first quarter led to USM’s first two touchdowns.
The Southern Miss defense also turned away a pair of ULL scoring threats in the red zone with the fumble recoveries in the third period, turnovers that the Eagles’ offense capitalized on with 82- and 80-yard scoring drives.
However, Southern Miss was not able to shut down Louisiana-Lafayette’s running game. The Cajuns finished with 263 rushing yards, with quarterback Michael Desormeaux accounting for 146.
“Overall, I thought the defense played pretty well,” said USM first-year coach Larry Fedora. “We gave up three or four big quarterback runs, which is not something that we wanted to do.”
“And we have to continue to work on that.”
Fedora knows the Golden Eagles will have a tougher time Saturday when they travel to Auburn at 11:30 a.m. The Tigers shut down Louisiana-Monroe 34-0 Saturday, even though Auburn’s new spread offense struggled in the passing game.
al.com
9/3/08
Magnolia Tribune
