Nightmare averted at Southern Miss as USF football bounces back from early deficit

It would have been understandable if USF fans had flashbacks to last year after the Bulls fell behind by two touchdowns midway through the first quarter at Southern Mississippi as the Golden Eagles moved with ease.

Not to dredge up bad memories, but after playing Alabama tough and winning their first two American Athletic Conference games last year, the Bulls disintegrated, losing consecutive blowouts against UAB and Florida Atlantic. They surrendered 56 points in both games and was it happening again on Saturday night in Hattiesburg?

Nope.

After those early hiccups, USF did what the Bulls were supposed to do, blowing out the Golden Eagles 49-24 after that messy start. The Bulls unleashed an overwhelming ground attack again, running for 369 yards and four touchdowns. They had 562 yards of total offense.

Running back Kelley Joiner had 117 yards and two touchdowns. Nay`Quan Wright had 105 yards and a touchdown. Quarterback Byrum Brown ran for one touchdown and threw for two more.

After Southern Miss scored on its first two possessions, the Bulls allowed only 10 points the rest of the way.

A year ago, things might have gone further south after that rocky start, and while that is encouraging, we can’t overlook that the Golden Eagles threw for 397 yards and a pair of touchdowns. That’s more than a little concerning, considering that 10th-ranked Miami and quarterback Cam Ward come to town next Saturday for a prime-time battle on national TV.

Once Miami watches the tape of this game, the  Bulls will have to be prepared for an all-out assault in the passing game from the Hurricanes.

Ward threw for five touchdowns in a little over a half Saturday before taking a seat in a 62-0 romp over Ball State. He’s one of the frontrunners for the Heisman Trophy. The ‘Canes had 750 yards of total offense.

Ward has thrown for more than 300 yards in all three games the ‘Canes have played. They’ve outscored their opponents 159-26, although – let’s be fair – two of the wins came against FAMU and Ball State, and the other one, a 41-17 win at Florida, doesn’t look like such a big deal now that the Gators are on coach-firing watch.

That said, Miami looks like the class of the Atlantic Coast Conference and a top contender to make the College Football Playoff. It’s also a chance for the Bulls to claim the most significant win in the Alex Golesh era.

Raymond James Stadium will be packed for this one, and I think USF will be able to score on the Hurricanes. The question will be whether they can stop Ward and the go-go Miami offense.

Let’s put it this way: Don’t get in a 14-point hole.