Stay tuned to RadioAlabama Sports as Noah Gardner breaks down each of Auburn football’s 2020 opponents. Follow Noah on Twitter at @PointGuardner.
Game History: Auburn leads the all-time series 18-5. The two teams last met in 2018 with Auburn winning 24-13.
2019 Team Stats: 7-6 (5-3) Conference USA, lost 30-13 to Tulane in the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl.
PPG: 26.6
PAPG: 26.2
RYPG: 117.5 (3.5 YPC)
PYPG: 289.5 (66.4 PCT)
SKS allowed: 23
TO DIFF: -11
RYPG allowed: 115.8 (3.4)
PYPG allowed: 236.7 (59.3 PCT)
SKS: 39
Offensive Impact Player: QB Jack Abraham (#15)
2019 stats: 3,496 YDS, 67.9 PCT, 19 TD, 15 INT, 77 YDS, 1.0 AVG, 6 TD
Southern Miss has a pass-happy offense that is led by redshirt senior Jack Abraham at quarterback. Considering the Golden Eagles throw the football more than they run it, Abraham’s touchdown-to-interception ratio is low, but the veteran quarterback makes up for it in accuracy. Able to run, Abraham found the end zone with his legs in six different games. Despite his tendency to throw interceptions, his best traits entering 2020 are experience, accuracy and mobility.
Defensive Impact Player: DB Ky’el Hemby (#19)
2019 stats: 93 TKL, 1 TFL, 2 INT, 3 PBU
Southern Miss returns its leading tackler in cornerback Ky’el Hemby. While he did experience a drop in production in 2019, Hemby is a former Second Team All-Conference USA selection in 2018 when he finished third in the country in interceptions with six. Last season, he only had two interceptions, but a contributing factor may have been opposing offenses throwing his way fewer times. Hemby is a good tackler on the perimeter and a lockdown corner for the Golden Eagles.
Offensive Key Unit: Wide-receivers
Southern Miss returns its top-three receivers, including 1,100-yard receiver Quez Watkins and 900-yard receiver Tim Jones. Jones and Watkins combined for 2,080 yards, 137 receptions, and nine touchdowns. The two are high-volume receivers that have the ability to stretch the field vertically and horizontally. With depth and experience returning, quarterback Jack Abraham has developed chemistry with his wideouts entering 2020.
Defensive Key Unit: Linebackers
The top-three tacklers at linebacker return for a Southern Miss defense that was staunch at defending the run and generating tackles for loss. The front seven is the most important part of any defense, and bringing back three of the top players from a productive unit creates the impression Southern Miss will continue to be a tough team to run against in 2020. Furthermore, with 39 sacks last season, the linebackers played a major role in getting a pass rush against opposing quarterbacks.
