Southern Miss swarms Alcorn State in 40-14 season-opening win

Sep 3, 2023, 08:24 am

HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- — Billy Wiles threw for 267 yards and three touchdowns and Southern Mississippi was never threatened in a 40-14 season-opening win over Alcorn State on Saturday night.

The Eagles' Jay Stanley came up with the first of two interceptions against Alcorn State quarterback Tyler Macon on the second play from scrimmage. Southern Miss took advantage and went up 7-0 when Wiles threw a 16-yard score to Jakarius Caston. After forcing the Braves to three-and-out, Frank Gore Jr. ended a seven-play, 63-yard drive for a two-score lead.

After a field goal put the Eagles up 17-0, with 3:50 left in the first quarter, Macon raced 75 yards for a touchdown for Alcorn State's biggest highlight of the contest. The play accounted for a third of the Braves' yardage total (226).

Wiles finished 21-of-28 passing and Caston finished with five receptions for 104 yards and a score.

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