LEXINGTON, Kentucky – Southern Miss put itself on college football’s map by routinely beating the bigger, and purportedly better, competition.
Such statement wins have been largely absent from the Golden Eagles’ resume’, however, for more than a decade-and-a-half.
Not anymore.
In Jay Hopson’s first game as Southern Miss’ head coach, the Golden Eagles overcame an 18-point halftime deficit to beat Kentucky, a member of the vaunted Southeastern Conference, 44-35. The victory is Southern Miss’ first against an SEC opponent since the Golden Eagles defeated Alabama in 2000.
“It means so much for the players,” said Hopson.