{"id":260542,"date":"2025-09-28T05:37:08","date_gmt":"2025-09-28T05:37:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/260542\/"},"modified":"2025-09-28T05:37:08","modified_gmt":"2025-09-28T05:37:08","slug":"how-southern-miss-defense-led-in-dominant-win-vs-jacksonville-state","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/260542\/","title":{"rendered":"How Southern Miss’ defense led in dominant win vs Jacksonville State"},"content":{"rendered":"

HATTIESBURG \u2014 Southern Miss football’s defense<\/a> was ready.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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<\/a> (2-3) on Sept. 27 at M.M. Roberts Stadium.<\/p>\n

“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.”<\/p>\n

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<\/a>.<\/p>\n

“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.<\/p>\n

“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.”<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

“We just took it personally throughout the week,” Hawkins said. “Like the intensity on our preparation, and we just decided to be us.”<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Hawkins said responding after a loss comes naturally as the defense’s bond has grown over the season.<\/p>\n

MORE: <\/strong>Why Southern Miss football’s defense can be a catalyst for Charles Huff, Golden Eagles<\/a><\/p>\n

“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.”<\/p>\n

Southern Miss has an open week and will play next at Georgia Southern on Oct. 9.<\/p>\n

Michael Chavez<\/a>\u00a0covers high school sports, among others, for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at mchavez@gannett.com or reach out to him on X, formerly Twitter\u00a0@MikeSChavez<\/a>.<\/p>\n