Category: Sun Belt Conference

Southern Miss parts way with head coach Will Hall

The Southern Miss Golden Eagles fired head coach Will Hall on Sunday after a 1-6 start to the 2024 college football season.

The Golden Eagles of Southern Miss became the second college football program to make a head coaching change following Week 8, dismissing Will Hall on Sunday in the midst of his fourth season.

Hall recorded a 14-30 record in his tenure at Southern Miss, and his firing comes on the heels of a 44-28 loss to Arkansas State on Saturday.

“We are grateful to Will and his family for their dedication to Southern Miss over the past four years,” athletic director Jeremy McClain said in a statement. “Will poured his heart and soul into this program and into shaping these young men. Unfortunately, the results on the field didn’t align with our shared goals and expectations.”

Hall will be owed nearly $860,000 per his contract.

The former Tulane offensive coordinator led Southern Miss to a 7-6 record in his second season, which included a win in the LendingTree Bowl, but his 19 games since then yielded just a 4-15 record, including a 1-6 start to the 2024 season.

Assistant head coach Reed Stringer is expected to take over on an interim basis, according to Adam Rittenberg of ESPN. Stringer is in his fourth year with the program, and his second overall stint in Hattiesburg.

Texas State demolishes Rice in second half for First Responder Bowl win

The Bobcats forced four interceptions and only allowed 32 yards on Rice’s seven second-half possessions for a 24-point win.

Texas State and Rice were locked in a tight game at halftime in the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl on Tuesday, but the Bobcats pulled away for a 45-21 victory after holding the Owls scoreless in the second half.

The Texas State running back duo of Ismail Mahdi and Jahmyl Jeter won the day. Mahdi has 122 yards on 24 carries, leading both teams in rushing yards and yards per carry. Jeter only had 36 yards on eight carries, but he punched his way into the end zone three different times, including a 29-yard rumble in the game’s opening minutes.

Rice kept pace with the Bobcats early. Running back Dean Connors found the end zone twice in a three-minute span midway through the second quarter, the second touchdown tying the game at 21 points apiece. It was the last time Rice added to its point total.

Texas State kicked a field goal to retake the lead on the final play of the first half before completely suffocating the Rice offense for the final two quarters. The Bobcats took five minutes to drive down the field for a touchdown in the third quarter’s first possession, and Rice threw a pick-six to make the lead 17 just three plays later. The Owls’ final seven possessions included four interceptions and three punts, and they only gained 32 yards.

Here are the best photos from Texas State’s dominant victory.

Duke builds early lead, holds on to secure a bowl victory

Duke held on to secure the victory over Troy.

The Birmingham Bowl should have been called the interim bowl game on Saturday. The Duke Blue Devils were led by Trooper Taylor, who would fill in for Mike Elko, who left for Texas A&M. Greg Gasparato took on the role of interim coach since Jon Sumrall left for the vacancy at Tulane.

Duke raced out to a 14-0 first half lead thanks to a touchdown to Jaylen Coleman. Todd Pelino made it 14-0 after two field goals, including a 37-yard attempt as time expired in the half. Troy’s defense would tighten up in the second half.

The Trojans finally got on the board with a 44-yard field goal with 01:36 left in the third quarter. Duke quickly answered a 45-yard field goal from Pelino to give them the 14-point lead once again.

Offensive lineman Derrick Graham had the play of the game when he ran into the endzone from two yards out to close the gap to seven with 5:54 left in the game.

Troy had one final shot to tie up the game or even take the lead late. With 1:46 left to go the Trojans began the drive from their own 11-yard line. The dream ending never came as Duke picked off Gunnar Watson just two plays and 24 seconds later.

Check out these images from the game:

Report: Texas State to extend head coach G.J. Kinne

Texas State locks up their head coach through 2028.

Texas State head coach G.J. Kinne is coming off his first season as the Bobcats head coach, and now he is getting an extension to his contract. The former Tulsa quarterback took over the program after Jake Spavital was fired. Kinne led Incarnate Word to the FCS Semifinals with a 12-2 record.

The former Conference USA Player of the Year led Texas State to a 7-5 record including an upset win over Baylor to kick off the season. It set the tone for a season that exceeded expectations. Kinne and the Bobcats will close out the season the day after Christmas against fellow Texas program, Rice, in the First Responder Bowl.

According to ESPN insider Pete Thamel, Kinne and Texas State have agreed on an extension to keep him as the head coach through the 2028 season.

You can watch Texas State take on Rice on Dec. 26 at 4:30 p.m. CT. The game will be broadcasted on ESPN.