Troy Triumphs Over Southern Miss 28-18

Troy Triumphs Over Southern Miss 28-18

Game Result Overview

Troy emerged victorious over Southern Miss with a final score of 28-18 in a hard-fought regular season contest. The Trojans displayed a potent offense, ultimately proving too much for the Golden Eagles to handle. Troy's offense, led by quarterback Will Crowder, proved to be the difference maker in this game.

Key Individual Performances

Will Crowder of Troy had a stellar performance, throwing for 285 yards and three touchdowns on 24 completions out of 34 attempts. His connection with receiver Rara Thomas was particularly effective, as Thomas hauled in five catches for 118 yards and two touchdowns. Tae Meadows led the Troy ground attack with 94 rushing yards and a touchdown on 21 carries.

For Southern Miss, quarterback Braylon Braxton threw for 209 yards and a touchdown, completing 20 of 35 passes. Carl Chester was Braxton's primary target, catching four passes for 76 yards and a touchdown. On the ground, Jeffery Pittman led the Golden Eagles with 51 rushing yards.

Defensively, Chris Jones of Southern Miss led all tacklers with 10, while Corey Myrick, Ian Foster, and Mathis Haygood each contributed significantly. Justin Powe and Devin Lafayette led the way for Troy's defense with seven tackles apiece.

Turning Points

The game saw several key plays that swung momentum. In the second quarter, Southern Miss's defense came up with a big play as J. Pennix intercepted a Will Crowder pass and returned it 37 yards, setting up the Golden Eagles' offense deep in Troy territory. However, in the same quarter, a 27-yard field goal by Southern Miss’s C. Wilbanks was good.

The third quarter saw a sack of Braylon Braxton for a loss of 11 yards by E. Davis and J. Stringer, which hurt Southern Miss's momentum. Later, Crowder was sacked for a loss of 7 yards.

The fourth quarter was packed with excitement. A 75-yard touchdown pass from Crowder to Rara Thomas gave Troy a significant boost. Wilbanks missed a 46-yard field goal attempt, further diminishing Southern Miss's hopes.

Looking Ahead

Troy's victory over Southern Miss is a testament to their offensive firepower and ability to execute under pressure. The Trojans' performance, particularly from Will Crowder and Rara Thomas, will be a positive sign as they move forward in the season. Southern Miss will need to address its offensive consistency and defensive discipline to improve in future matchups.