HATTIESBURG – For a fourth straight season, Southern Miss quarterback Austin Davis is the leader of a dynamic offense that’s piling up points.
Now he hopes all that offense will finally help the program achieve its stated goal of winning a Conference USA championship.
As Southern Miss (5-1, 1-1) prepares to host Southern Methodist (5-1, 3-0) on Saturday at Roberts Stadium, Davis said the Golden Eagles’ offense is playing at a high enough level to contend for the program’s first conference title since 2003.
“If we can continue to run the ball like we have and throw when we need to then we’re going to be pretty tough to deal with down the stretch,” Davis said.
The talk of Conference USA is Houston, which is nationally ranked and has Heisman candidate Case Keenum under center. But the Cougars main challengers appear to be Southern Miss and SMU, and the winner of Saturday’s game could join Houston in the national rankings.
Southern Miss has recovered from a surprising early-season loss to Marshall, winning four straight games, including a 63-35 victory over Navy on Oct. 8. The Golden Eagles are averaging 48.6 points per game during their winning streak.
Southern Miss’ dominating win over Navy was even more impressive considering the team’s top three running backs were injured. Fourth-string running back Jeremy Hester and converted receiver Tracey Lampley combined for 200 rushing yards and three touchdowns against the Midshipmen.
Golden Eagles coach Larry Fedora said the offensive line, led by veterans Austin Quattrochi and Lamar Holmes, has been crucial.
“Right now it doesn’t matter who is (in the backfield),” Fedora said. “The offensive line understands there’s more pressure on them to get it done. Those (running backs) are talented, that’s why they’re here. But they don’t have the experience these other guys have.”
Great offense has been a staple during coach Larry Fedora’s four seasons at Southern Miss.
Davis, a fifth-year senior from Meridian, Miss., continues to rewrite the program’s passing records, moving past the school’s most famous alumni, Brett Favre. Much like Favre, Davis was lightly recruited because he played in a high school program that didn’t pass much. He was a walk on at Southern Miss when Fedora became coach in 2008, and Fedora immediately inserted him into the starting lineup.
Since then, the touchdowns have been abundant, but the championships have not. Now Davis and Fedora have one last chance together.
“His skills have become better during his four years, but he’s always had the presence in the huddle and respect of his teammates,” Fedora said. “You could see that from the first practice. Now he’s bigger, stronger and can make all the throws you need. He’s truly everything you want in a quarterback and a leader.”
Davis has thrown for 1,558 yards, 13 touchdown and six interceptions this season, pushing his career numbers to more 8,600 passing yards and 64 touchdowns.
All those snaps and all that success have produced a quarterback that doesn’t cave during pressure-filled moments.
“People may think it’s chaotic out there, but for him it’s not,” Fedora said. “It’s slow. So that enables him to help others guys out and raise the level of the guys around him.”
Southern Miss has had a week to rest since beating Navy, allowing the Golden Eagles’ backfield some time to recover. Freshman Jamal Woodyard is expected to be available after missing the Navy game because of a sprained ankle. He’s fourth on the team with 168 rushing yards.
Five different Southern Miss players have rushed for at least 100 yards this season. Woodyard said running room has been abundant.
“We just have to see the hole and hit it fast,” Woodyard said. “That’s what we’ve been doing all season.”
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