Southern Miss preview

Prior to the 2006 season, there were a number of questions that the Southern Miss Golden Eagles needed to answer.

On offense, there were some personnel concerns after losing some key players in the skill positions, primarily the loss of three-year starting quarterback, Dustin Almond.

The losses were even greater on the defensive side of the ball, as the team needed to fill key spots vacated by the departed seniors, including Conference USA player of the Year, Kevis Coley, and twin brother, Trevis, and standout defensive back, John Eubanks.

With that in mind, it was most likely wishful thinking to imagine that the Golden Eagles would finish as the East Division champions in Conference USA.

And after a luke-warm 4-4 start, the likelihood of Southern Miss continuing the streak of 13-straight winning seasons and another postseason appearance seemed to be slipping.

But the Golden Eagles turned things around at the right time, winning the final four regular season games to earn a spot in the title game. After losing the championship to Houston, Southern Miss responded with a decisive 28-7 victory over Ohio in the GMAC Bowl.

When it was all said and done, the team finished with a 9-5 record and won its third-straight bowl game, extending the respective streaks in the process. For the team to finish the way it did, after the start that it had, there is a lot to build on entering the 2007 campaign.

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