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The Southern Miss football team looks to rebound this weekend when they open its 2021 home schedule Saturday against Grambling State. Game time is set for 6 p.m., at Carlisle-Faulkner Field at M.M. Roberts Stadium.

The Golden Eagles dropped their season opener the previous week, 31-7, at South Alabama, spoiling the debut of first-year coach Will Hall, but now looks to even the team’s record in the first-ever meeting on the gridiron with the Tigers.

Grambling State, under eighth-year head coach Broderick Fobbs, captured its opener 16-10 last Sunday over Tennessee State in Canton, Ohio. Earlier in his career, Fobbs served as an assistant coach for the program during the 2012 season overseeing the wide receivers.

Despite dropping the opener in Mobile, several Golden Eagle players enjoyed standout starts to the season.

Offensively, Frank Gore, Jr., collected 104 all-purpose yards, including 81 rushing and 23 receiving yards. It was the fifth time in his career that he reached at least 100 all-purpose yards in the game.

The trio of Jakaius Caston, Brad Dennis and Demarcus Jones led the receiving corps with three catches apiece. Caston, in his first career game, collected a team-best 38 yards, followed by 26 from Dennis and 24 from Jones.

On the defensive side, Josh Ratcliff posted 3.5 of the team’s 11 tackles for loss – the most since collecting that many against UAB on Nov. 9, 2019. Santrell Latham, who also forced a fumble in the South Alabama contest, led the way along with Averie Habas with five total tackles. Camron Harrell tallied four stops and a fumble recovery in the contest.

Mason Hunt highlighted the special teams group by averaging 47.8 yards per punt over eight boots, which included a long of 58 yards. It was Hunt’s first appearance since the opener last season.

The game will be the eighth for the Golden Eagles against an opponent in the Southwestern Athletic Conference and the program is 7-0 in those contests.

The Golden Eagles return home next weekend when they entertain Troy, Saturday, Sept., 18, at 6 p.m., in The Rock.

Season and single game tickets still remain for the 2021 home schedule and can be purchased by going online at SouthernMissTickets.com, by calling 1-800-844-TICK (8425) or 601-266-5418, as well as emailing ticket.office@usm.edu.