Opponent Preview: Southern Miss

Team: Southern Miss

2015 Record: 9-5 (7-1 C-USA)

Stats

Offense

Rushing Yards per Game: 180ypg

Passing Yards per Game: 330ypg

Total Offense: 510ypg

Points per Game: 39.9ppg

Defense

Rushing Yards per Game: 152ypg

Passing Yards per Game: 228ypg

Points per Game: 25.6ppg

Last Meeting:

2016: Last year was the first meeting between the two teams, as Charlotte welcomed in the Golden Eagles for homecoming. Southern Miss took home the 44-10, as they racked up over 480 total yards.

2016 Preview:

Southern Miss returns a lot of talent on both ends of the field, returning 13 starters from last season. The Golden Eagles return one of the top quarterbacks in Nick Mullens, returning from a season in which he threw for 4,476 yards and 38 touchdowns. They also return their top running back in Ito Smith, after rushing for over 1,000 yards last season.

They did lose their top wide receivers but still return playmakers on the outside, including DJ Thompson.

Defensively, Southern Miss returns six starters from last season, including leading tackler D’Nerius Antoine (103 total tackles). They have an experienced group with half of them being seniors this year. The Golden Eagles should be one of the top defensive teams in the conference this year and should be a nice compliment to a team that will put up points offensively.

Charlotte went 0-4 last year in away games, losing by an average of 25 ppg. This will be the fifth road game of the year in 2016.