So Miss completes 2014 non-conference football schedule

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Southern Miss Director of Athletics Bill McGillis announced Thursday that the Golden Eagle football program will play host to both Alcorn State and Appalachian State to complete the non-conference portion of the school's 2014 schedule.

Southern Miss, which is set to begin the 2014 campaign at in-state foe Mississippi State on Aug. 30, opens its home schedule, Sept. 6, against Alcorn State, before returning to the road to play at Alabama, Sept. 13. Appalachian State then visits M.M. Roberts Stadium, Sept. 20. Game times will be announced at a later date.

"I'm very pleased with the balance we've been able to achieve with our 2014 schedule," said McGillis. "Obviously, it will be highly competitive with a blend of quality opponents, including the defending national champions in Alabama, in-state games with Mississippi State and Alcorn State and an emerging FBS program in Appalachian State. The scheduling of six home games was our most important objective in 2014, and I'm excited for our fans, coaches and team that we were able to make that happen."

Alcorn State, a member of the Southwestern Athletic Conference, makes its second trip to Hattiesburg, falling to the Golden Eagles 52-0 on Sept. 9, 2009, in the only other meeting between the two schools.

The Mountaineers meet the Golden Eagles for just the second time in their respective football histories with Southern Miss winning a 7-0 decision back on Dec. 1, 1937, in Gulfport, Miss.

The Golden Eagles, which were originally scheduled to play at BYU during the 2014 campaign, will push that game back to a later date.

The Conference USA portion of the schedule will be released in early 2014.

2014 Southern Miss Football Schedule

Aug. 30 Miss State - Starkville, Miss.

Sept. 6 Alcorn State - Hattiesburg, Miss.

Sept. 13 Alabama - Tuscaloosa, Ala.

Sept. 20 Appalachian State - Hattiesburg, Miss.