Southern Miss Soars; Orange's Streak Ends At 9

#58 Southern Miss – 14
#39 Boston College – 7

CHESTNUT HILL, Ma. -- Orange and Blue came into the second round headed in opposite directions, with Orange having won nine straight, and Blue on a five game skid. Both streaks came to an abrupt end as #58 Southern Miss, the lowest seed still playing, opened the round with a victory over #39 Boston College Wednesday night. The Golden Eagles were led by their defense, which forced two interceptions and stood tall at the end of a long drive by BC to end the game.

After the teams traded scores on the opening drives, USM took a 14-7 lead on sophomore QB Austin Davis' second rushing touchdown of the game. Boston College had an opportunity to tie before halftime, but their receivers dropped a couple catchable deep balls as the half wound down.

The defenses dominated in the second half, as neither team threatened until late in the third quarter, when Southern Miss got good field position following an interception. BC promptly regained possession on an interception of their own by SS Marcellus Bowman, and began the fourth quarter with the ball inside their own five yard line.

Boston College slowly but steadily marched down the field, converting two fourth downs and very nearly tying it on a pass that was dropped in the front of the end zone by WR Rich Gunnell. They made it all the way to the USM three yard line when, on second down, the Golden Eagles were flagged for roughing the passer, advancing the ball to the one yard line. On the next play, senior MLB Gerald McGrath made perhaps the play of the game, getting into the backfield, and stopping HB Montel Harris for a 3-yard loss. After an incomplete pass and a sack, BC faced fourth and goal with eight seconds left on the clock. QB Justin Tuggle again tried to hit Gunnell, this time in the back corner of the end zone, but CB Ivory Bradshaw dove and knocked the ball away, sending Southern Miss to its first Sweet 16.

Tuggle completed a very deceiving 47% of his passes, as he was on target all night, but hurt on several passes dropped by his receivers. Gunnell put up 131 yards, including a 66-yard touchdown on the third play of the game. His numbers also fail to tell the whole story, as he will most likely be remembered for his drop on the final series, which proved to be costly.

After the game, USM coach Larry Fedora was asked if he thought his team, who received the last automatic bid this year, had a chance to make headlines coming into the tournament. "Everyone is scratching their heads and saying we shouldn't be here," he said. "This is a good football team, and we believe in each other."

Southern Miss awaits the winner of #10 Oregon and #42 Texas A&M.

Stats:
Boston College
QB Justin Tuggle – 9/19, 187 yards, TD
WR Rich Gunnell – 6 receptions, 131 yards, TD
DE Jim Ramella – 3 TFL, sack
SS Marcellus Bowman – INT

Southern Miss
QB Austin Davis – 7/9, 105 yards, 2 rushing TDs
DE Kyle Burkhart – 3 TFL, 2 sacks
CB Ivory Bradshaw – 3 tackles, 2 deflections
CB C.J. Bailey – INT
SS Justin Wilson – INT