College football

Long first-play TD sets tone for USM

By PETE YOUNG, Times Staff Writer
Published October 26, 2003

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HATTIESBURG, Miss. - On the first play from scrimmage, Southern Miss connected on an 80-yard touchdown pass that helped launch it toward victory Saturday.

Receiver Marvin Young slipped past strong safety Kevin Verpaele down the middle, and quarterback Dustin Almond hit him in stride. Young then sidestepped Bruce Gipson and Verpaele to put Southern Miss up 6-0. The point after was blocked.

It equaled the longest touchdown pass vs. the Bulls (Troy State, Oct. 25, 1999), and it marked the second C-USA game this season in which USF yielded a long scoring play at the start. On the second play vs. Louisville Oct.4, Lionel Gates had a 67-yard TD run.

GOTCHA: USF executed a double pass for a first down early in the third quarter. On third and 9, Ronnie Banks threw to receiver Brian Fisher in the left flat. The pass was a lateral, and Fisher threw to DeJuan Green for a 28-yard gain that led to a field goal.

STILL HURTING: Senior receiver/captain Chris Iskra dressed and took the field for the coin toss but did not play. Iskra's final season has been ruined thus far by injury. He missed the first two games with a dislocated elbow and has barely played since because of a stubborn hamstring injury.

MAKING THE ROUNDS: About 40 minutes before kickoff, as USF stretched, coach Jim Leavitt made the rounds, shaking the hands and patting the shoulder pads of each of the 65 Bulls in uniform.

PERSONAL SUPPORT: New Orleans natives Brian Fisher and Ronnie Banks had large contingents of supporters in the crowd. Hattiesburg is about a two-hour drive from New Orleans.

NO FAHV-RUH: The Green Bay Packers had a bye, fueling speculation that USM's most famous alum, Brett Favre, would attend. He was not spotted.

CORNUCOPIA: It was a big weekend of Division I-A football on the bayou. In addition to USF at USM, LSU hosted Auburn, Tulane hosted Memphis and both Louisiana-Lafayette and Louisiana-Monroe played home games.

ETC.: Clenton Crossley started at running back for the first time this season. ... J.R. Reed's 48-yard kickoff return in the first quarter was the longest against USM this season. His 46-yarder in the second quarter was second. ... USM freshman Damion Carter came in at quarterback for Dustin Almond with seven minutes left in the first half. Almond returned two series later. ... Luke Johnson's 76-yard punt in the second quarter was the longest ever against USF. ... Reed's second-quarter interception increased his USF record to 13. ... Southern Miss retired the No.43 of former running back Derrick Nix before the game.

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