1996 Southern Miss Golden Eagles football team

American college football season February 2026 August 2023 1996 Southern Miss Golden Eagles football Conference USA C-USA 8–3 4–1 Jeff Bower 7th Norman Joseph 3rd Multiple John Thompson 5th Multiple M. M. Roberts Stadium Conference USA co-champion The 1996 Southern Miss Golden Eagles football team represented the University of Southern Mississippi in the 1996 NCAA Division I-A football season. The Golden Eagles were led by seventh-year head coach Jeff Bower and played their home games at M. M. Roberts Stadium. In the inaugural season of Conference USA, Southern Miss claimed a share of the conference championship with Houston after finishing 4–1 in conference, and 8–3 overall.1996 Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football September 11, 2022 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/southern-mississippi/1996-schedule.html Schedule 1996 AP August 31 w y y Georgia Sanford Stadium Athens, GA 11–7 81,067 Donnan's debut a dud September 1, 1996 Ledger-Enquirer https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109347230/donnans-debut-a-dud/ September 11, 2022 Newspapers.com September 7 l y y Alabama 14 Legion Field Birmingham, AL 10–20 82,338 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/71628005/no-offense-alabama-20-usm-10/ Hattiesburg American No offense: Alabama 20, USM 10 September 8, 1996 February 9, 2022 Newspapers.com September 14 w y Utah State M. M. Roberts Stadium Hattiesburg, MS 31–24 24,307 Interception spells doom for the Ags September 15, 1996 The Salt Lake Tribune https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109347385/interception-spells-doom-for-the-ags/ September 11, 2022 Newspapers.com September 21 w y Southwestern Louisiana M. M. Roberts Stadium Hattiesburg, MS 52–27 23,169 Golden Eagles pound Cajuns September 22, 1996 The Crowley Post-Signal https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109347505/golden-eagles-pound-cajuns/ September 11, 2022 Newspapers.com September 28 w y Louisville Cardinal Stadium Louisville, KY 24–7 36,462 Mistakes cost Cards against Eagles September 29, 1996 Messenger-Inquirer https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109347635/mistakes-cost-cards-against-eagles/ September 11, 2022 Newspapers.com October 10 w y y East Carolina Dowdy–Ficklen Stadium Greenville, NC 28–7 34,480 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/72931251/eagles-take-wing-287/ The Clarion-Ledger Eagles take wing, 28–7 October 11, 1996 February 9, 2022 Newspapers.com October 19 w Memphis M. M. Roberts Stadium Hattiesburg, MS Black and Blue Bowl 16–0 25,601 USM hurls shutout at Tigers October 20, 1996 The Commercial Appeal https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109347769/usm-hurls-shutout-at-tigers/ September 11, 2022 Newspapers.com October 26 w y 24 Tulane Louisiana Superdome New Orleans, LA rivalry 31–28 20,394 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/94619986/eagles-nearly-lose-game/ Sun Herald Eagles nearly lose game October 27, 1996 February 9, 2022 Newspapers.com November 2 w y 23 Cincinnati M. M. Roberts Stadium Hattiesburg, MS 21–17 25,241 Southern Miss clinches share of title November 3, 1996 The Courier-Journal https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109347905/southern-miss-clinches-share-of-title/ September 11, 2022 Newspapers.com November 9 l y 20 Houston Robertson Stadium Houston, TX 49–56 18,107 Houston slows USM bid November 10, 1996 Sun Herald https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88613492/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109347905/southern-miss-clinches-share-of-title/ September 11, 2022 Newspapers.com November 16 l y y 25 Florida State 3 Doak Campbell Stadium Tallahassee, FL 14–54 77,280 Showdown is on track, FSU stays unbeaten with 54–14 victory November 17, 1996 The Miami Herald https://www.newspapers.com/clip/109348166/showdown-is-on-track-fsu-stays-unbeaten/ September 11, 2022 Newspapers.com Rankings 1996 NCAA Division I-A football rankings AP 0 17 NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR 24 23 20 25 NR NR NR NR NR Coaches 0 17 NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR 24 22 NR NR NR NR NR NR Roster 1996 Southern Miss Golden Eagles f 86 Jr Matt Coghlan TE 80 Fr Todd Pinkston WR y 79 Fr Brian Bell OL 24 Fr Terrence Parrish DB 20 So Perry Phenix DB y 99 Jr Quantrelis Phillips DL 53 Fr Adalius Thomas DE y 3 Sr Rod Thomas CB https://web.archive.org/web/19961225185832/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/sfc/usa/sfci05ra.htm *Jeff Bower Dave Wommack – Defensive backs References Southern Miss Category:Southern Miss Golden Eagles football seasons Category:Conference USA football champion seasons Southern Miss Golden Eagles football