Troy defeats Southern Miss 55-34 in Sun Belt football opener

TROY, Ala. — Troy used a dominant running game and efficient red-zone execution to defeat Southern Miss 55-34 Tuesday night at Veterans Memorial Stadium in both teams’ Sun Belt opener. The Golden Eagles fell to 1-4 overall and 0-1 in league play.

Southern Miss trailed 17-0 after the first quarter and 31-7 at halftime before producing 20 points in the third quarter. Mario Sanders threw a 75-yard touchdown pass to AJ Little on the second play of the half, then caught a 27-yard scoring pass from Landry Lyddy later in the period. Robert Briggs’ 44-yard touchdown run brought the Golden Eagles within 41-27 with 1:03 remaining in the quarter.

Troy answered each challenge. Goose Crowder connected with Jordan Lovett on a 46-yard touchdown pass after Little’s score. The Trojans then drove 74 yards in the fourth quarter, with Jaheim Merriweather scoring on a 1-yard run to restore a three-score advantage.

Southern Miss cut the margin to 48-34 when Jamarice Wilder completed a 75-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown run with 4:38 left. Troy sealed the victory on its ensuing possession when Gavin Griffin scored on a 12-yard run.

Lyddy completed 24 of 37 passes for 316 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in his second consecutive start. Sanders caught eight passes for 102 yards and two touchdowns while also throwing the score to Little. Kaden Saunders had seven receptions for 138 yards, and Little’s only catch was the 75-yard touchdown.

The performance marked the first time since Southern Miss played at Troy in 2019 that two Golden Eagle receivers each recorded 100-yard receiving games. Southern Miss finished with 391 passing yards and 30 first downs, but Lyddy’s second-quarter interception preceded a Troy touchdown, and his fourth-quarter fumble at the Troy 26 ended a drive in scoring range.

Troy rushed for 437 yards on 59 attempts, averaging 7.4 yards per carry, and held the ball for 39:22. Crowder ran for 145 yards and two touchdowns while completing 18 of 21 passes for 225 yards and two scores. Lovett added 142 rushing yards and a touchdown.

Blake Anderson’s Southern Miss team returns home to face Arkansas State Saturday, Oct. 17, at 6 p.m. at Renasant Stadium.

Source: Southern Miss Athletics.