Opponent Analysis: Southern Miss
Louisiana Tech (2-1) will host Southern Miss (2-1) in a crucial non-conference matchup in Ruston on Saturday night.
To get an inside look at the Golden Eagles, BleedTechBlue caught up with Heath Hinton of Big Gold Nation for insight from the Southern Miss perspective.
Check out our full conversation below.
Charles Huff is in his first season as head coach at Southern Miss, and the Golden Eagles are off to a promising 2-1 start — including their first win over an FBS opponent since 2023 in Saturday’s victory against App State. What’s been Huff’s most significant impact on the program so far?
Stability and a process of how to get things done. For the past 4 to 5 years there was no real structure in the program. Coaches were never on the same page. Huff and his staff talk in one voice. Everything runs through Huff and all questions are answered by Huff. While some think this is extreme, it does give structure to the message coming out of the program.
Quarterback Braylon Braxton has emerged as a key playmaker for the Golden Eagles. What makes him such a tough challenge for opposing defenses?
Braxton is not just a talented QB, but he is a true leader on offense. He has the ability to make any throw, but he is very difficult to get on the ground. When he scrambles, he is always looking downfield to make a throw till the last moment. Not all quarterbacks have that internal clock and that separates him from others.
Offensive coordinator Blake Anderson has assembled a deep and talented group at the skill positions. Who are the key players to watch at wide receiver, running back, and tight end this weekend?
It’s a deep and talented group of playmakers. One thing about Anderson is he will find a weakness and keep going back to it. In the last contest Doc Chapman had over 100 yards receiving but did not do much in the 2 games before. Braylon Brown and Carl Chester are the primary receivers and Kyirin Heath along with Kaddin Morris are the primary tight ends. At RB it is a three headed monster with Jeffrey Pittman, Matt Jones and Robert Briggs splitting the carries. Pittman is the power runner of the group.
On the defensive side, coordinator Jason Semore followed Huff from Marshall to take over at Southern Miss. How has the defense performed through the first three games — particularly against the run and the pass? And what’s been the key to their early success in generating six interceptions?
One is they hit the portal hard at DB. Josh Moten will play on Sundays and could have went to P-4 schools but wanted to play for Huff. (He got a good payday too.) Anthony Richard Jr. had really emerged as a solid counterpart to Moten and give the Golden Eagles solid cornerback play. Keeping Chris Jones on campus at linebacker was a plus too. They got FCS All-American Michael Montgomery from Portalnd State who is at 6’4 250 lbs one of the most athletic guys on the field. The DL is getting better the more they work together. DE J’Mond Tapp had 3 sacks last week and at 6’3 255 lbs is a problem for tackles due to his speed off the edge. Teams have seemed to be able to move the ball early against this group. Where DC Jason Semore has shined is with adjustments. The Golden Eagles have really played lights-out the last 2 contest in the second half.
How do you see Saturday’s matchup between the Bulldogs and Golden Eagles unfolding?
Whichever team can establish the run early and get the opposition to become one-dimensional will probably win this game. After watching film, I do believe Southern Miss has the advantage in team speed. How Louisiana Tech will counter that defensively could decide the outcome.
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