WR Tim Jones making presence felt in USM’s win over FAU

Between three head coaches in one season, a first-time starting quarterback, and playing the defending Conference USA champions, the Southern Miss football program had every excuse to lose Thursday’s regular season finale against Florida Atlantic.

But the Golden Eagles didn’t use any of them in their 45-31 victory over the Owls, a season-high for both margin of victory and points scored.

Aside from a first quarter interception, Trey Lowe III looked like he had been there before, completing 13 of 19 passes for 209 yards and two touchdowns to go along with a team-high 16 carries for another 70 yards and a score.

His favorite target was former Biloxi Indian Tim Jones who caught half of his team high six receptions on the final drive of the first half, resulting in a five-yard touchdown catch.

That performance moves him to fourth on the school’s all-time receptions list, but it’s the receptions you didn’t see that made it all possible. “Man, ending the season on a high note. I mean you know how the season has been all year, it’s been a tough 2020. It just felt so good to actually get a win.”

Interim Head Coach Tim Billings said, “Tim Jones, every day after practice, took him and made him and the receivers stay after practice and they threw every day and you could see a difference. They had a connection and so I’ve just got to – again, Trey did a great job of handling everything – but I’ve got to give Tim some kudos, too, also for just making them stay out there and work together and so I think it made a huge difference.”

Southern Miss won three games this season, but due to injury this is the first one Jones was on the field for.

He says he’s still undecided about whether or not to return for his senior season or declare for the NFL Draft.