HATTIESBURG — Southern Miss football’s defense was ready.
Jacksonville State ran out to its 29-yard line, preparing for its first offensive possession of the game. What followed on the first snap was a strip sack from Southern Miss defensive lineman JJ Hawkins and recovery by Ian Foster.
The turnover led to the first score of the game and kick-started Southern Miss (3-2) to a dominating 42-25 win over Jacksonville State (2-3) on Sept. 27 at M.M. Roberts Stadium.
“I feel like that was very important,” linebacker Michael Montgomery said. “We talk about turnovers all week. We talk about scoring each game as a defense. I feel like creating takeaways, creating turnovers, is something to emphasize each week . . . So I feel like it’s going to translate to the game.”
Southern Miss’ Week 5 win was a response to its Week 4 loss to Louisiana Tech, where the Golden Eagles’ defense gave up 30 first-half points en route to a 30-20 loss.
“Last week, we played good in the second half, and I think we just pointed out the things in the first half that put us in a bind,” first-year Southern Miss coach Charles Huff said. “So we talked about today coming out, striking fast, and not letting one play carry over into the next.
“Coaching-wise, we made some adjustments on what we were kind of giving the kids, as far as options of how to play certain things. I think it helped them play a little bit faster. We changed some of the way we did things just based on what they do schematically.”
While zero points were scored in the second half by Louisiana Tech, Hawkins knew that a turnaround on defense was needed. Southern Miss’ defense held Jacksonville State to three points in the first half, recorded a red zone fourth-down stop at the 3-yard line and held the Gamecocks to 8 of 15 on third downs.
“We just took it personally throughout the week,” Hawkins said. “Like the intensity on our preparation, and we just decided to be us.”
Southern Miss capitalized on four turnovers from two forced fumbles and two interceptions, including a 47-yard interception return for a touchdown from Foster in the fourth quarter. The Golden Eagles also had four sacks and eight tackles for loss.
Hawkins said responding after a loss comes naturally as the defense’s bond has grown over the season.
“We just got a different type of love for each other,” he said. “We just show up for each other every game. We just feed off each other. (One) spark turns into a big fire for all of us, and we just put on a show.”
Southern Miss has an open week and will play next at Georgia Southern on Oct. 9.
Michael Chavez covers high school sports, among others, for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at mchavez@gannett.com or reach out to him on X, formerly Twitter @MikeSChavez.