We hear the term ‘jump start’ quite often used to describe a productive turnaround in gridiron activity for a given team. That term will be literalized when Southern Mississippi steps onto the field August 30th against Louisiana-Lafayette. Larry Fedora took the fast track to becoming the 18th head coach here. He brings a progressive offensive mindset from his stays at Florida and Oklahoma State that has consistently proven its worth. Fedora grabbed Arizona’s passing game coordinator, whiz-kid Darrell Wyatt, as his OC… see, the thing is, Fedora and Wyatt have each never coached at their current level(s), respectively. That fact aside, the talent is in place to make these Golden Eagles an offensive juggernaut as quickly as the above-listed schools Fedora has jump started in the past.

Ok, so finding the right quarterback will go the farthest toward turning USM’s profile on its ear. Hattiesburg is the place where, when mentioned, BCS-level defenses are conjured way more often than awing offensive displays are to earn the ‘W’. Austin Davis proved this spring and summer that he deserves the first shot under center, but he and current backup Martevious Young are anything but veterans. Fedora creates balanced, no-huddle attacks that are designed to get the Golden Eagle offense on and then off of the field as quickly as possible. At Oklahoma State, his offense has been the only member of the 200-200 club for the past two years…the Cowboys averaged that many yards per game rushing and passing!

"We are going to be in a hurry up tempo," Fedora added. "We are going to move during practice and we are going to coach on the run. We are going to get on and off that field." Smallish Damion Fletcher proved he can take the abuse of a workhorse back; he is the top returning back in the C-USA and the top of a demure-but-ready RB unit. The line is a work in progress, a good trait that can tie together the newer schemes with the other new faces and develop together naturally (more naturally than linemen who are used to one way and cannot adapt, regardless of their prior results). The greener WRs have learned the same quick way, and the reborn offense here is greased for success.

The team’s signature dimension also looks strong under the new staff. MLB Gerald McGrath is the reigning CUSA Defensive Player of the Year. The entire corps will be tested since the line has four new starters. Solid DBs mean the linebackers can lend a hand without putting undue strain on the (underneath) coverage and/or other back seven responsibilities. Todd Bradford is also a first-time coach at this (coordinator) level, so the brain trust in Hattiesburg will sink or swim based on pure ability. Now you see why it is so hard to predict where this team may go, and just how they wind up getting there.

The schedule is split into two halves – the first half features non-con powerhouses (at) Auburn and Boise State; only two of the first six games are away, while the last six games are all intra-league, and four are outside the 39406 zip code. East Carolina is the toughest C-USA foe at this preseason juncture, but the wacky way this conference usually plays out precludes predictions from holding much water. A solid defense would be enough to secure the Golden Eagles a spot in the league’s championship game (12-6-08). USM may even do what many others have (and they’ve never) done to take the conference crown – ride an unstoppable offense and make sure they score last to assure the win(s). Revamping this team may take less time than many think, and recognizing the Southern Miss we’ve all come to love and respect may be tough after Fedora is done this off-season.

Passing: None

Rushing: Damion Fletcher, 295 att., 1586 yds., 15 TD

Receiving: Torris Magee, 44 rec., 632 yds., 3 TD

Scoring: Damion Fletcher, 15 TD, 1 two-pt. conv., 92 pts.

Punting: Britt Barefoot, 48 punts, 42.5 avg.

Kicking: Justin Estes, 15-22 FG, 39-41 PAT, 84 pts.

Tackles: Gerald McRath, 139 tot., 72 solo

Sacks: Gerald McRath, 4.5 sacks

Interceptions: Eddie Hicks, 3 for 16 yds.

Kickoff Returns: Justin Wilson, 2 ret., 31.0 avg., 0 TD

Punt Returns: None

TE Shawn Nelson

FS Eddie Hicks