Photo by David Katzenmaier
App State is 2-0 for the first time since 2019, but the Mountaineers know the real grind starts this weekend. Dowell Loggains’ squad heads to Hattiesburg on Saturday night to face Southern Miss in the Sun Belt opener at M.M. Roberts Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. CT on ESPN+.
This matchup marks the Mountaineers’ first trip to “The Rock” in more than a decade, and just their second-ever Sun Belt meeting with the Golden Eagles. App State rallied late to win the 2023 meeting in Boone, 48-38, but Southern Miss still leads the overall series 2-1.
The Mountaineers have made a strong early impression under Loggains, riding a revamped roster that features 56 newcomers — including 37 transfers. That infusion of talent has paid off quickly. Quarterback AJ Swann is averaging 331 passing yards per game, while running back Rashod Dubinion is second nationally at 152.5 rushing yards per contest. Receivers Dalton Stroman (115.0 ypg) and Jaden Barnes (102.5 ypg) give App State one of the Sun Belt’s most balanced passing attacks.
The defense has been just as disruptive, holding opponents to 217 yards per game — 16th-best in the country — and piling up eight sacks against Lindenwood, the program’s highest single-game total since 1997.
Southern Miss (1-1) enters its first league game under new head coach Charles Huff. The Golden Eagles’ history with App State is limited, but memorable. In 2014, USM escaped with a 21-20 win in Hattiesburg after blocking a potential game-tying PAT with six seconds left.
The Mountaineers carry a 9-2 all-time record in Sun Belt openers but dropped last year’s to South Alabama. Snapping that skid in Mississippi won’t be easy, but with Swann, Dubinion, and a swarming defense, App State looks like a team ready to contend.
If history is any indicator, fans can expect another tense finish when these two programs meet under the lights at “The Rock.”
About the Author
Dalton Tinklenberg is the Founder and Media Director of The Scouting Depot, where he leads comprehensive coverage of college and professional football. He is an active member of some of the most respected organizations in sports journalism, including the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA), Maxwell Football Club, Online News Association (ONA), National Football Foundation (NFF), and the Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE).
Before launching The Scouting Depot, Dalton worked with Blue HQ Media, where he covered major sporting events such as the Indianapolis 500, the College Football Playoff, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.
Through his professional affiliations and on-the-ground experience, Dalton combines deep knowledge of the game with recognized standards of storytelling, editorial excellence, and authenticity in sports coverage.
