C-USA Championship Southern Miss vs. Western Kentucky "Inside The Numbers"

Southern Miss (9-3) vs. Western Kentucky (10-2) 12:00 pm (at Western Kentucky)
 
Southern Miss:
Offense:
The Golden Eagles are coming off of an impressive road victory over Louisiana Tech winning by a score of 58-24. Led by quarterback Nick Mullens, the team is averaging 41.7 points per game and can stretch teams vertically with their high powered offense. On the season, the team is passing for 340 yards per game and is rushing for 194 yards per game. Mullens is a confident quarterback that is completing 64.2% of his passes for 3,964 yards with 35 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. Running backs Jalen Richard and Ito Smith have combined for 2,048 yards with 20 touchdowns on the ground and give the offense a solid rushing attack that keeps defenses off balance. Wide receivers Mike Thomas, Casey Martin, and D.J Thompson are a potent trio that have combined for 179 receptions for 2,659 yards with 24 scores that put a lot of pressure on opposing secondaries.
 
Key offensive stats entering this game:
On the year, the team is averaging 47% of their third down attempts, however, over the last five games the team has averaged 55% on their third down conversions. Over the last five games (Charlotte, UTEP, Rice, ODU and Louisiana Tech), the offense has had 20 passing touchdowns and only 2 interceptions (4 touchdowns passing per game).  On the road this season, Southern Miss is passing for 374 yards per game 34 yards more than their season average of 340.
 
Defense:
The defense is allowing 22.4 points per game and is very good in run support allowing 143 yards per game. On the season, Southern Miss is yielding 207 passing yards per game and is +1 in turnover margin. However, on the road this year, the team is +3 in turnover margin. The Golden Eagles have recorded 31 sacks through 12 games and are coming off of a 4 sack performance against Louisiana Tech.
 
Key defensive stats entering this game:
Over the last five games the defense is allowing 19.6 points per game. In the last two victories over ODU and Louisiana Tech, the defense forced five interceptions. In the last seven games against Marshall, UTSA, Charlotte, UTEP, Rice, ODU and Louisiana Tech the defense has allowed 101 rushing yards per game.
 
 
Western Kentucky:
Offense:
The Hilltoppers are averaging 44.2 points per Inflatable Slide game and have one of the nation’s best quarterbacks in Brandon Doughty. Doughty has completed 72.5% of his passes for 4,184 yards with 42 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. Doughty has multiple options in the passing attack with wide receivers Taywan Taylor, Nicholas Norris, Jared Dangerfield and tight end Tyler Higbee. All four players have combined for 228 receptions for 3,245 yards with 34 touchdowns. Western Kentucky is averaging 361 passing yards per game and is rushing for 158 yards per game. Running back Anthony Wales leads the team with 933 yards averaging 7.2 yards per carry with 7 touchdowns.
 
Key offensive stats entering this game:
The Hilltoppers are averaging 48% on their third down conversion attempts, however, over the last 4 games against ODU, FIU, FAU and Marshall the team converted 55% of their third down opportunities. Western Kentucky is averaging 398 passing yards per game at home this season compared to their season average of 361.  Both of the team’s losses came on the road this year. Western Kentucky is 5-0 at home.
 
Defense:
Western Kentucky is giving up 25 points per game and is allowing 154 rushing yards per game along with 238 passing yards per game. Western Kentucky is +13 in turnover margin and is +6 in turnover margin at home this season. The Hilltoppers must be able to get pressure and force Mullens into quick throws underneath coverage. On the year, the team has recorded 22 sacks.
 
Key defensive stats entering this game:
While the defense has only recorded 22 sacks through 12 games this season (1.8 per game) half of  those (11) have come in the last four games. Over the last four games, the secondary has played very well and has allowed 180 passing yards per game. In the last two games the unit forced four interceptions.
 
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Joseph Lisi a former ABC Sports college football researcher, is the owner of www.GOFORTHE2.COM. He is a member if the FWAA (Football Writers Association Of America),Maxwell Football Club and is currently the content editor at www.2FiveSports.com.He contributes regularly to www.Sid-Rosenberg.com and has been a featured guest every Tuesday night from 10:30-11:30pm EST on Yahoo Sports Radio With Ken Thomson(www.sportsxradio.com). Joe has been featured on the FNTSY Sports Network  and The Sid Rosenberg Sports Radio Show 640AM Sports (South Florida). You can follow him on Twitter: @Goforthe2. Joe has a weekly radio show on www.blogtalkradio.com with former Georgia Bulldogs WR Corey Allen called: THE NCAA WEEKLY BLITZ.