University of Louisville
Southern Miss
Louisville Picks Apart Southern Miss, 49-28
November 04, 2000 | Football
By GINA HOLLAND
Associated Press Writer
HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- After five straight losses to Southern Mississippi, Louisville wanted revenge.
They got it Saturday, stunning the No. 13 Golden Eagles 49-28 in a homecoming game and swiping the Conference USA lead.
"It was redemption," said Louisville quarterback Dave Ragone, who ran for two touchdowns and threw for two more. "I remember my freshman year. There's still a bad taste in my mouth."
Coach John L. Smith said his players had talked during the week about a victory over the team that has dominated the conference.
"You kick them in the tail enough, they're bound to get a tough personality," he said.
Jeff Kelly threw four interceptions as Southern Miss allowed more touchdowns (7) than it had in its first seven games (6).
Anthony Floyd had three of the picks, including one in the end zone on Southern Mississippi's first drive. Floyd had a 36-yard interception return for a touchdown early in the second quarter. His third set up Ragone's 4-yard TD run in the third quarter.
Dewayne White also had an interception return for a TD, a 35-yarder in the third quarter.
"I think they wanted it more," Southern Mississippi coach Jeff Bower said. "It is always disappointing to lose a game, but this will test our character a little bit."
A week after giving up just three points to Houston, Southern Miss (6-2, 3-1) saw Louisville (7-2, 4-1) score 21 points in both the second and third quarters. The Cardinals had 419 yards of total offense to USM's 361.
Ragone completed 25 of 42 passes for 293 yards against a Southern Mississippi defense that had been ranked second nationally in points allowed per game at 9.8. Ragone also scored on a 1-yard run, and threw a 6-yard scoring pass to Deion Branch and a 3-yarder to Ronnie Ghent. Ghent had six catches for 117 yards.
Branch said they came to Hattiesburg with confidence.
"We didn't have nothing to lose," he said.
Southern Mississippi's offense struggled with limited play from Derrick Nix, who missed the last three games with an injured ankle. He scored on a 1-yard run to put Southern Mississippi ahead 7-0 in the first quarter. It was the Eagles' only lead.
Nix had 12 yards on seven carries and was still the Eagles' second best rusher. Dawayne Woods had 47 yards on 11 carries.
Kelly was 18-of-32 for 300 yards. He had a 50-yard scoring strike to Woods in the second quarter, then connected with Kennet Johnson on a 55-yard scoring play in the third quarter to tie it at 21. Louisville scored 28 straight points.
USM scored once in each quarter, the final coming on Kelby Nance's 1-yard run.
T.J. Patterson had a 5-yard scramble for Louisville's seventh touchdown.
Louisville had two fumbles, including one that set up Nix's touchdown. Southern Mississippi's only turnovers were interceptions.
Southern Mississippi had won in its last five meetings with Louisville. In their last game, USM faked a punt then kicked a field goal with just over a minute left to win 30-27.
The Golden Eagles went into the game 24-2 against Conference USA opponents.
