By : Elias Carman
(Photo/ Elias Carman-The Mojo Network)
Southern Miss head coach Charles Huff can officially mark his first win off the to-do list. The Golden Eagles snapped an 11-game losing streak with a decisive 38–20 victory over Jackson State on Saturday night at M.M. Roberts Stadium, giving Huff his first win at the helm and injecting new energy into a program eager to turn the page.
The Golden Eagles didn’t waste any time setting the tone. Just three minutes into the game, special teams delivered the first big moment when Ahmere Foster blocked a punt, and Zach Ruffin scooped it up and returned it 30 yards for a touchdown. That early jolt gave Southern Miss a 7–0 lead and sent the home crowd into a frenzy. From there, the Golden Eagles never trailed, taking a 17–10 lead into halftime and controlling the second half with physicality and poise.
Quarterback Braylon Braxton led the charge offensively, finishing 20-of-30 for 214 yards and three touchdowns. He showed strong command of the offense, hitting Bralon Brown for an 8-yard score in the second quarter, Micah Davis on a 15-yard strike in the third, and Kadinn Morris for a 10-yard touchdown that pushed the lead to 31–10. Braxton was aided by a consistent run game that produced 139 rushing yards, with Robert Briggs Jr. capping the effort with a 15-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.
Jackson State, coming off a strong opening-week performance vs Hampton, fought to keep the game close in the early going. The Tigers tallied 191 rushing yards, leaning on the legs of Ahmad Miller and Travis Terrell Jr. to move the chains. Miller added a late touchdown run to close the gap slightly, while linebacker Quincy Ivory anchored the defense with 10 total tackles. Despite those efforts, Jackson State struggled to contain the Golden Eagles’ tempo and gave up multiple scoring drives of 60 yards or more.
For Huff, who was hired in the offseason to rebuild the Golden Eagles after back-to-back losing seasons, the win marked more than just a number in the standings — it was validation. “This was step one,” Huff said after the game. “There’s a lot more work to do, but I’m proud of how we responded. We challenged our guys to come out with focus, energy, and execution — and they did that tonight.” Southern Miss (1–1) will look to build on the momentum next week, they host Appalachian State next Saturday at 7PM ET. Jackson State (1–1) returns home hoping to rebound.