With quarterback Austin Howard sidelined by injury, Southern is walloped by Southern Miss 45-0

HATTIESBURG, Mississippi — During pregame warmups, Southern’s four-year starter at quarterback Austin Howard walked among his teammates offering words of encouragement.

It was all he could do for the Jaguars’ tilt at Southern Miss, a rough 45-0 loss. In place of a helmet was a soft yellow hat he wore backwards. His jersey fit snug over a yellow hoodie. His comfortable-looking red sneakers couldn’t hide his limp.

For the first time since Oct. 25, 2014, someone other than Howard started at quarterback for Southern. He sat with a knee injury while his replacement, true freshman Bubba McDaniel, did not direct Southern to a first down until the 9:50 mark of the second quarter, at which point his team was trailing 28-0.

Considering the circumstances, it was a predictably rough day for Southern, which was soundly defeated. It was the first time Southern had been shut out in coach Dawson Odums’ tenure.

“This was a tough environment for a quarterback to play, especially when you’re a true freshman,” Odums said. “But that’s what we’ve got. It’s what we’ve got to deal with. That’s the hand, we’ll play it.”



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