Author: Tony Thomas

As Conference USA loses Southern Miss and other teams to the Sun Belt Conference this fall, here is a look back 25 years ago at the 1997 Southern Miss Golden Eagles-C-USA champs. THE 1997 C-USA STANDINGS: Southern Miss  9-3 Cincinnati  8-4 Tulane  7-4 East Carolina  5-6 Memphis  4-7 Houston  3-8 Louisville  1-10 1997 SOUTHERN MISS FOOTBALL NOTES: The ’97 version of the “Nasty Bunch” was manned by such standouts as Lytrell Pollard, who led the team with 114 tackles, Patrick Surtain (6 INTs), Marchant Kenney (106 tackles, 13 TFLs), Adalius Thomas, Perry Phenix, Terrance Parrish, to name a few. As a result, this stingy defense ranked in the Top 30…

All Summer, there has been enough talk of conference realignment and expansion. Let’s talk about who will win the current iteration of the Big 12 Championship. And that team is the Oklahoma St. Cowboys. Why Oklahoma St. Will Win the Big 12 The Cowboys return 12 starters from last year’s team, spread out through all three levels of offense, defense, and special teams. An Experienced Quarterback As I have always said, teams with experienced returning quarterbacks (the most important position on the field) get the nod in my book. And that’s exactly what the Cowboys have in 4th-year starting quarterback…

As usual in every college football season, the coaching hot seat is like a raging inferno for some coaches, and others are just getting warmed up. Here is a list of the coaches’ chairs that could spontaneously combust in 2022, in no particular order. Coaching Hot Seat-The Seat is on Fire! Scott Frost, Nebraska (2021 record: 3–9) A former Cornhusker quarterback, Frost came back to his alma mater after a successful 2-year stretch at UCF. He went 19–7 with the Knights, including 13–0 in 2017 and a win over Auburn in the Peach Bowl. However, going into his 5th season…

NC State returns 17 starters from last year’s 9–3 squad, 10 on the defense alone. The Wolfpack led the ACC in opponents’ 3rd down conversion percentage (29%) and ranked among the Top 31 teams in the FBS in the four major defensive categories. And, they return three 1st team All-ACC defenders and a 3400-yard quarterback. This could be the year the Wolfpack brings an ACC Championship home to Raleigh. NC State Defense Those 10 starters are spread out over all three levels of the defense, and the three All-ACC performers are: NT Cory Durden: 31 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and 4.5 tackles…

In 2021, the Houston Cougars racked up 43 sacks on the season, good enough for a tie for 6th in the FBS. And for every sack they made they raised a red street sign in celebration. That street sign read “Sack Avenue.” Sack Avenue Houston was 12-2 last season and were the runners-up to Cincinnati in the AAC. They turned loose a defensive unit that ranked in the Top 20 in several categories, in addition to the aforementioned sacks: Tied for 12th in tackles for loss with 98. 10th in rushing defense at 108 yards per game allowed. 19th in…

The 2022 USA TODAY Sports AFCA Top 25 Coaches Poll came out yesterday. And there were some teams that made the cut that left people scratching their heads. Also, there were some good teams that were left on the outside looking in. Top 25 Coaches Poll-Head Scratchers #7 Texas A&M Aggies First, lets talk about the 7th ranked Texas A&M Aggies. Arguably one of the most overrated teams playing on the gridiron today. They finished 8-4 last season but have question marks at QB and on the offensive and defensive lines. Yes, they did beat Alabama at Kyle Field, but…

QB Nick Mullens took over control of the Southern Miss offense as a true freshman in 2013. And, he endured some growing pains. Then, the Golden Eagles went to two bowl games in his junior and senior years as Mullens etched his name in the school record book. Nick Mullens-Prep Star Mullens played at Spain Park High School in Alabama. His senior year he threw for 3649 yards and 40 TDs and only 7 INTs. His passing yards in 2012 ranked 5th all-time in Alabama high school history. Mullens was named both the Shelby County Player of the Year and…

On September 3rd, there will be a Battle at the Alamo(Dome) in San Antonio in week 1: The Houston Cougars vs The UTSA Roadrunners. Last season, both teams posted 12–2 records and played in their conference championship games. Houston came up short against Cincinnati in the AAC title game, while UTSA beat Western Kentucky for the title in Conference USA (C-USA). There are talented skill players on both teams and that bodes well for a potentially high-scoring affair in week 1. Houston vs UTSA-Week 1 The Cougars’ Offense In 2021, Houston lost in week 1 to Texas Tech, then reeled…

Over the years, Southern Miss has produced some good running backs. Good enough to be drafted into the NFL. And we take a look at the top Southern Miss rushing seasons since 2000. Top Southern Miss Rushing Seasons 5. Jalen Richard & Ito Smith (2015) Jalen Richard and Ito Smith both rushed for over 1000 yards in 2015 for a Golden Eagle team that finished 9-5 on the season. Smith rushed for 1128 yards and 10 TDs and Richard rushed for 1098 yards and 14 TDs. Richard posted five games of over 100+yards rushing. His high game: 230 yards and…

The Houston Astrodome was declared the “8th Wonder of the World” when it was built in the 1960s. In 1989, it was home to the Houston Cougars football team and a high-powered offense created by Offensive Coordinator John Jenkins. Jenkins was Dr. Frankenstein, and his monster was the “Run and Shoot” offense. The spark that brought this offensive monster to life was QB Andre Ware. Scoring Touchdowns Early and Often The Cougars, coached by Jack Pardee, scored 53 points (#1 in the NCAA) per game in 1989 and averaged 624 yards of total offense per game. Houston scored 60+ points four times and…