NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The New Orleans Bowl is like a postseason homecoming for Southern Mississippi.
The Golden Eagles will make their second straight appearance in the bowl on Sunday night and their fourth in the last six years.
Middle Tennessee is making its debut in the New Orleans Bowl, and is playing in just its second bowl in school history.
Coach Rick Stockstill says his Blue Raiders have worked hard for the opportunity, and he has a couple of goals for the trip.
“One, I want to win the game and two; I want to have a good time,” Stockstill said. “There will be plenty of opportunities to enjoy the bowl experience of New Orleans, but when it is time to practice and study film you have to take care of your business.”
Middle Tennessee is the host team for the Sun Belt Conference thanks to a deal that allowed Sun Belt champion Troy, which lost to the Golden Eagles in overtime in last year’s game, play closer to home in the GMAC Bowl.
The only other bowl trip the Blue Raiders made was in 2006, when they played in the Motor City Bowl. Only 12 members of the present team were on that trip, and only five of them played in the game.
That does not mean postseason play has been far from their minds, however.
“We want to do this every year” Stockstill said. “From the very first day I got here, I said we would act, practice, dress, go to class and do everything like a winner. We were able to win the conference that first year and go to a bowl. We are doing it again this year and have won more games than any other year in the history of the school.”
Middle Tennessee goes into Sunday’s game on a roll, winning the last six games of the season. Its only conference loss was to Troy.
Southern Miss has a wealth of bowl experience. This is the eighth straight bowl game for the Golden Eagles, the 12th in the last 13 seasons.
Southern Miss won its previous three New Orleans Bowls, defeating North Texas, Arkansas State and Troy. Their 7-5 season includes a 37-34 victory over Virginia and losing at Kansas 35-28 and at Louisville 25-23.
“For the players it’s a reward at the end of the season,” USM coach Larry Fedora said. “To come to New Orleans, where you’re an hour and a half away is exciting because all of parents, all of our fans can get down here and have a great weekend.”
Fedora also believes bowl experience, learning about the schedule and distractions, can help his team.
“We have guys who understand what is expected and what it takes to win a bowl game,” Fedora said. “There are guys out here who are preparing for their fifth consecutive bowl.”
New Orleans Bowl Matchup
MIDDLE TENNESSEE ( - )
14 at Clemson 37
31 Memphis 14
32 at Maryland 31
37 at North Texas 21
7 at Troy 31
6 Mississippi St. 27
62 W. Kentucky 24
27 at Florida Atlantic 20
48 Fla. International 21
34 Louisiana-Lafayette 17
38 Arkansas St. 14
38 at Louisiana-Monroe 19
SOUTHERN MISS. (7-5)
52 Alcorn St. 0
26 UCF 19
37 Virginia 34
28 at Kansas 35
17 at UAB 30
23 at Louisville 25
36 Memphis 16
43 Tulane 6
43 at Houston 50
27 at Marshall 20
44 Tulsa 34
20 at East Carolina 25
Rushing Offense
Car Yds YdsPg
Middle Tenn. 475 2175 181.3
Southern Miss. 475 2235 186.3
Passing Offense
Att Cp Yds YdsPg
Middle Tenn. 408 221 2857 238.1
Southern Miss. 357 224 2784 232.0
Total Offense
Plays Yds YdsPg
Middle Tenn. 883 5032 419.3
Southern Miss. 832 5019 418.3
Rushing Defense
Car Yds YdsPg
Middle Tenn. 475 1655 137.9
Southern Miss. 424 1458 121.5
Passing Defense
Att Cp Yds Tds Pts
Middle Tenn. 406 223 2564 13 110.17
Southern Miss. 454 282 3194 18 129.01
Total Defense
Plays Yds YdsPg
Middle Tenn. 881 4219 351.5
Southern Miss. 878 4652 387.6
Net Punting
No. Yds Net
Punts Avg Ret Ret Avg
Middle Tenn. 78 39.0 33 332 34.7
Southern Miss. 49 38.6 12 55 37.4
Punt Returns
No Yds Avg
Middle Tenn. 22 157 7.1
Southern Miss. 29 340 11.7
Kickoff Returns
No Yds Avg
Middle Tenn. 52 1041 20.0
Southern Miss. 57 1487 26.1
Turnover Margin
Gained Lost
Fum Int Tot Fum Int Tot Mar/Gm
Middle Tenn. 14 17 31 5 15 20 .92
Southern Miss. 14 12 26 11 4 15 .92
Scoring Offense
G Pts Avg
Middle Tenn. 12 374 31.2
Southern Miss. 12 396 33.0
Scoring Defense
G Pts Avg
Middle Tenn. 12 276 23.0
Southern Miss. 12 294 24.5
