Southern Miss (5-5, 3-3 Sun Belt Conference) needed to find answers defensively against Coastal Carolina (9-1, 6-1). The Chanticleers were without Grayson McCall, a two-time Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year selection, and the Golden Eagles nearly capitalized.
Trey Lowe III led Southern Miss with a 260 passing yards and a touchdown in a 26-23 loss to Coastal Carolina on Saturday in Conway, South Carolina.
Here are three takeaways as the Golden Eagles nearly upset the Chanticleers and gained bowl eligibility for the first time since 2019:
SOUTHERN MISS FOOTBALLWhy Georgia State blowout shows Southern Miss football's next step is developing a Plan B
No McCall, no problem early
The Golden Eagles pulling off an upset against Coastal Carolina was always going to be a tall task, especially following a 42-14 loss the Georgia State.