• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Blocked kick lifts Southern Mississippi in overtime

Dec 22, 2008 - 6:34 AM NEW ORLEANS (Ticker) -- Southern Mississippi capped a late comeback in thrilling fashion.

Britt Barefoot kicked a 39-yard field goal and Michael McGee blocked a field goal in overtime to lift Southern Mississippi to a 30-27 victory over Troy in the New Orleans Bowl on Sunday.

Southern Mississippi (7-6) had the first possession in overtime but failed to gain significant yards. Barefoot, who was named the New Orleans Bowl Most Valuable Player, kicked a 39-yard field goal to give the Golden Eagles a 30-27 lead.

The Trojans (8-5) moved to the Golden Eagles' 11 yard line before their drive stalled, setting up a 28-yard field goal attempt for Sam Glusman.

But McGee raced around the right end of the line, diving in front of the kick and batting the ball down to secure Southern Mississippi's win.

"I can't be more proud of the seniors we have on this team," Golden Eagles coach Larry Fedora said. "I just can't say how proud I am of this whole football team. They were probably the only ones out there who believed we could get it done.

"They've become a heck of a football team."

The Golden Eagles trailed by 10 in the fourth quarter but tied the contest on Austin Davis' 35-yard touchdown pass to Jonathan Massey before Barefoot booted a 46-yard field goal with 2:50 remaining.

Davis completed 20-of-34 passes for 277 yards and a pair of scores to lead Southern Mississippi, which finished the season with five straight wins.

Troy got on the board just 50 seconds into the game when Jorrick Calvin batted down Davis' attempted pitch and returned the fumble 17 yards for a touchdown.

The Golden Eagles answered right back when Davis hit Gerald Baptiste off a flea-flicker for a 64-yard score to even the contest at 7-7 with 13:22 left in the opening quarter.

The Trojans went back on top later in the first quarter when Levi Brown hit Kennard Burton for a 4-yard touchdown, giving Troy a 14-7 lead with 2:58 left.

Southern Mississippi responded on its next drive, going 69 yards in 10 plays, capped by Damion Fletcher's 8-yard touchdown run.

Both defenses started to settle in and the teams went into the locker rooms deadlocked at 17-17.

Sam Glusman kicked a 34-yard field goal to put Troy on top, 20-17, and after Cornelius Williams' 38-yard punt return to the Southern Mississippi 9-yard line, Jerrel Jernigan ran in a 6-yard touchdown to give the Trojans a 27-17 advantage with 2:01 left in the third.

Brown threw for 251 yards to lead the Sun Belt champion Trojans.