University of Louisville
Southern Miss
Football Outlasts Southern Miss in 2 OTs, 20-17
November 14, 2002 | Football
Nov. 14, 2002
HATTIESBURG, Miss. (AP) -- Beating Southern Mississippi never gets dull for Louisville.
Dave Ragone's passing set up Nate Smith's go-ahead 27-yard field goal in the second overtime as the Cardinals defeated Southern Miss for the third straight year 20-17 on Thursday night.
Kurt Jones missed four field-goal attempts for the Golden Eagles (6-4, 4-2 Conference USA), including a 32-yarder in the second OT that would have forced another period.
"When we came into this league they were the measuring stick," Cardinals coach John L. Smith said of the Golden Eagles. "We get more out of a win against these guys because we respect these guys more than anyone."
Southern Miss won three of the first four Conference USA titles. Louisville has won the last two.
The Cardinals (6-4, 4-2) are the first C-USA team to win three straight against the Golden Eagles, and the first to win twice at Southern Miss.
"I love playing in this place more than any other place in the country," Ragone said.
The senior quarterback was 19-of-37 for 200 yards with two touchdowns and a couple of clutch throws in the second OT.
Ragone was sacked by Rod Davis for an 8-yard loss on the first play of the second OT. It was the Golden Eagles' eighth sack of the night. But the big lefty converted a first down with two passes to Damien Dorsey.
The drive stalled at the 10, but Nate Smith knocked through his kick to give Louisville its first lead of the game.
"I'm very thankful we got out of here with a win," Ragone said. "They came at me relentlessly. We are just fortunate to make one more play than they did."
Southern Miss got to the 15 on its possession, but Jones - who missed a 46-yarder in the first overtime - pushed it wide right.
"It was just one of those games that you hope you never have, but it happens," Jones said.
| VIDEO FROM  |
| Kurt Jones missed his fourth kick of the night as the Cardinals defeated Southern Mississippi 20-17. 100k | 300k |
Louisville couldn't take advantage of Jones' first OT miss, fumbling the ball away when Ragone banged into his fullback. Rayshun Jones recovered for the Golden Eagles.
Southern Miss had a chance to take the lead with 2:02 left in regulation, but Kerry Rhodes leaped high over the line to block Jones' 37-yard attempt.
Derrick Nix, who missed a game with an injured right leg, ran for 96 yards on 25 carries. Chris Johnson added eight receptions for 141 yards, including a 67-yard TD pass from Micky D'Angelo in the second quarter.
The Golden Eagles turned three Louisville miscues - two fumbles and a blocked punt - into scores in the first half to take a 17-3 lead.
But poor punt coverage, turnovers and penalties by Southern Miss gave the Cardinals good field position in the third quarter - and Ragone cashed in. He threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to Joshua Tinch midway through the second quarter, cutting the lead to 17-10.
Ragone's left hand was stepped on after the play. He came off the field holding his hand but didn't miss a play.
An interception and long runback by Josh Minkins - plus a 15-yard personal foul on the Golden Eagles - set Louisville up at the Southern Miss 37. On third-and-7, Ragone rolled left, eluded a rusher and heaved a 34-yard TD to J.R Russell to tie it late in the third.
D'Angelo threw two TD passes for Southern Mississippi in his first start since being benched four games ago. He completed 17 of 35 passes for 228 yards and was sacked five times.
"It was like watching two heavyweights slug it out," Smith said.
The teams combined for eight turnovers, 22 penalties and plenty of jawing between plays.
