Alabama offense overwhelms Southern Miss

Not all college football games are created equal and that was evident in USM’s 49-7 loss at Alabama on Saturday.

Southern Miss had no answer for last year’s Heisman Trophy runner-up Tua Tagovailoa, who burned the Golden Eagles for four touchdown passes in the first 20 minutes of the game and five overall.

In fact, he’s now the first Crimson Tide quarterback to throw four touchdowns in consecutive games, thanks to wide receivers Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs III who combined for ten receptions, 244 yards, and four scores.

Southern Miss finally got on the board right before the end of the first half, but the damage had already been done.

Fourth-year Head Coach Jay Hopson says second-ranked Alabama is as good as advertised. “We understood. I didn’t lie to my players before the game. We knew this was going to be a 15-round fight, and we were like with a team like Alabama you’re going to have to get the game into the second half. And give Jeudy and Tua credit. They just made plays and guess what, that’s what Heisman Trophy candidates do. They make plays and they did a good job. I’ve been coaching a long time. It’s probably the first time I’ve said this, I don’t know if I’ve ever seen an offense with two Heisman trophy candidates in it. So you’ve got to give credit where credit is due. They’re pretty good, they’re really good.”

After games against Mississippi State and now Alabama, USM has the 32^nd ranked strength of schedule in the FBS.

Next up for the Golden Eagles is the Conference USA opener against UTEP at 6 p.m. Saturday from MM Roberts Stadium. That game also marks the start of alcohol sales at the Rock.