⚡ CFB Dashboard

Southern Miss's defense improved dramatically from spring to game week as several former starters were pushed down the depth chart and players began executing Joe Bolden's calls without post-snap hesitation.

Blake Anderson promoted first-time coordinator Joe Bolden because of his preparation, organization and teaching, while continuing to advise him on how opposing offenses may attack the scheme.

Zachariah Keith added roughly 40 pounds during rehabilitation from a neck injury and climbed from missing spring practice to a starting defensive-end role.

The return of veteran edge Jameer Lewis gives Southern Miss enough depth to use speed packages with an end sliding inside and four faster rushers attacking without an extra blitzer.

Junior-college transfer Wesley Edison won the starting WILL linebacker job and Tyler Lassiter returned from concussion protocol at MIKE, improving a group responsible for communication, box play and coverage across multiple alignments.