Let’s not sugarcoat it. Southern Miss football hit rock bottom last season. A 1-11 finish marked one of the worst campaigns in school history, and fans were left wondering if brighter days would ever return.
This fall, though, the Golden Eagles have reason to believe. When Southern Miss takes the field Aug. 28 against Mississippi State, it will be a team almost unrecognizable from the disaster of 2024.
Quarterback stability at last The offense was dreadful last season, averaging just 15.3 points and 283.5 yards per game. That should change with the arrival of transfer quarterback Braylon Braxton, a Maxwell Award watchlist nominee.
Braxton’s 1,624 passing yards, 19 touchdowns and two interceptions in 2024 may not scream superstar, but the intangibles matter more. He has the pocket presence, decision-making and running ability that could finally unlock Southern Miss’ offense.
Many fans believe the season will hinge on Braxton’s arm and legs. That’s true to an extent, but the defense may hold the bigger key.
A defense with new teeth Coach Charles Huff admitted after the spring game that the defense needed reinforcements. He went out and found them.
Six new defensive linemen have arrived through the portal, a critical addition after the Golden Eagles surrendered 232.7 rushing yards per game last season. In the secondary, Huff added six defensive backs and three safeties. That infusion of depth and talent could turn a unit that gave up 449.2 yards per game into one of the Sun Belt’s most improved defenses.
Anderson’s return could ignite the offense Offensive coordinator Larry Fedora’s former assistant — Anderson — is back in Hattiesburg for his second stint. He brings a fast-paced, up-tempo attack designed to keep defenses off balance.
In 2010, Anderson’s offense ranked 18th nationally in total yards, averaged 36.9 points per game and set a school record with 461.4 yards per game. His quarterbacks were among the most efficient in the nation, and with Braxton under center, the potential is there for fireworks again.
The bottom line Southern Miss fans have been burned before by preseason optimism, but this season feels different. The quarterback room has stability, the defense looks tougher, and the offensive playcalling could finally match the program’s tradition of explosive football.
After one of the darkest seasons in Golden Eagles history, the 2025 campaign has the potential to be one of the most refreshing.
