HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Southern Miss took advantage of Southern University miscues early and then proceeded to dominate the Jaguars throughout as the Golden Eagles defeated the Jaguars 45-0 Saturday night before 24,337 at M.M. Roberts Stadium.USM Photo

Junior quarterback Kwadra Griggs threw for 209 yards and two touchdowns in his first career start, and the Golden Eagles (1-1) scored in all three phases of the game to bounce back from a season-opening loss to Kentucky.

“Our guys played physical,” Southern Miss coach Jay Hopson said. “It was good to see us come out. Special teams score was a big plus, and, eventually, we had a pick-six, and those are good things.

“As a whole, I was pretty pleased with the effort.”

Southern Miss piled up 477 yards total offense and 27 first downs in a game that saw major player rotation through the first half and massive substitution in the second as the Golden Eagles _ members of the Football Bowl Subdivision _ stymied the Football Championship Subdivision Jaguars.

It was Southern Miss’ first shutout since defeating FCS-member Savannah State 56-0 in the second game of the 2016 season.

“That’s the reality of playing against a really good football team,” Southern U. coach Dawson Odums said. “They’re a team that’s up and coming.

“It was tough sledding out there (Saturday).”

~ USM Sports Information