First look: Southern Miss' Jay Hopson well acquainted with Southern University

HATTIESBURG, Mississippi -- Southern Miss and Southern University have never met on the football field.

But second-year Golden Eagle coach Jay Hopson is very well acquainted with the Jaguars. During his four-year stint at Alcorn State, the Braves never lost to Southern. In 2014, the Hopson-led squad knocked the Jaguars off twice (once for the SWAC championship).

Even if Hopson can’t recall those specifics off the top of his head, he has not forgotten the Jaguars’ makeup.

“It seemed like they were always a tough game,” he said Monday. “They were hard-fought battles. (Head coach Dawson Odums) does a great job there. They’re always consistently a nine or 10 win team. They’ve always got a lot of playmakers and they’re physical.”

Southern Miss and Southern will kick off at 6 p.m. at M.M. Roberts Stadium. Hopson said junior Kwadra Griggs will make the start at quarterback for the Golden Eagles after throwing for 222 yards and two touchdowns in last week's season-opening 24-17 loss to Kentucky.

"He probably earned (the start)," Hopson said. "He really had an outstanding second half. (Keon Howard) did a lot of good things, too. So he will be ready if his opportunity comes.

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