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