Week 9 of the 2025 college football season features a Sun Belt conference showdown between the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks and the Southern Miss Golden Eagles. The game will take place at M.M. Roberts Stadium in Hattiesburg, MS, with kickoff scheduled for 3:30 PM. Fans can catch the action live on ESPN+. The Warhawks enter this game with a 3-4 overall record and a 1-2 mark in conference play. Despite a tough road record of 1-3, they will look to turn their season around against a solid Southern Miss team. Their most recent outing saw them fall to the Troy Trojans, 37-14, at Malone Stadium. Southern Miss has been on a roll with a 5-2 overall record and an unbeaten 3-0 conference record. They have shown strength at home with a 3-1 record, and they are coming off a 22-10 victory over the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns. As the game approaches, they are favored with a -12 point spread according to consensus odds.
Southern Miss vs Louisiana-Monroe At a Glance
- Game Week: Week 9 of the 2025 Regular Season
- Location: M.M. Roberts Stadium in Hattiesburg, MS
- Broadcast: Available on ESPN+
- Game Start: Saturday, October 25, 2025, at 3:30 PM
- Odds: Southern Miss favored with a -473 moneyline
- Team Records: Southern Miss 5-2, Louisiana-Monroe 3-4
Southern Miss Golden Eagles Ready to Soar Against Louisiana-Monroe
Offensive Overview
The Southern Miss Golden Eagles have shown significant improvement in their offensive performance this season. They have scored 215 points, ranking them 38th nationally, a marked increase from last year’s 183 points, where they were 105th.
Their passing game has accumulated 1,720 yards, placing them 51st. This is a notable improvement from the previous season’s 2,099 yards, which had them ranked at 115th. The rushing attack stands at 1,029 yards, securing the 73rd spot in national rankings.
Defensive Strengths
On the defensive side, Southern Miss has been quite effective in limiting opponents to 176 points, ranking 94th. Their pass rush has been particularly aggressive, recording 22 sacks, earning them a respectable 7th place nationally.
The team has also been adept at creating turnovers, with 13 interceptions, ranking 13th, and recovering 3 fumbles, ranked 7th. This defensive prowess has been instrumental in their recent victories.
Recent Performance
In their recent games, Southern Miss has secured impressive wins, including a 22-10 victory against Louisiana-Lafayette. Their ability to capitalize on turnovers and maintain a balanced offense was evident in this game.
The Golden Eagles also outperformed Georgia Southern in a close contest, winning 38-35. This victory highlighted their offensive capabilities, particularly in critical game moments.
Key Players
Quarterback Braylon Braxton has been a standout performer, throwing for 1,710 yards and 14 touchdowns, ranking 35th and 26th respectively. His leadership and decision-making have been crucial for the team.
Running back Jeffery Pittman has also contributed significantly, rushing for 419 yards and 6 touchdowns. His consistency on the ground has provided a balanced attack for Southern Miss.
Team Betting Trends
- SU – As Favorite: Last 6 Games (2023–2025) → 6-0 (100.0%)
- O/U – After Win: Last 11 Games (2022–2025) → 9-2 (81.8%)
- SU – All Games: Last 3 Games (2025) → 3-0 (100.0%)
- SU – Home Games: Last 3 Games (2025) → 3-0 (100.0%)
- ATS – Home Games: Last 3 Games (2025) → 3-0 (100.0%)
As they prepare to meet the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks, Southern Miss will aim to extend their winning streak and maintain their strong home record. With their current form, the Golden Eagles are well-positioned to continue their successful run this season.
Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks: A Season of Challenges and Opportunities
Offensive Overview
The Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks have found the going tough on offense this season, with their point tally sitting at 117, ranking them 90th. Their passing game, with 1,092 yards, stands at 119th, indicating a need for improvement in aerial attacks. However, their rushing game has been a bright spot, ranking 49th with 1,199 yards.
First downs have been relatively decent for the Warhawks, with a total of 121, positioning them 55th in the rankings. This suggests their ability to move the chains, albeit inconsistently. Building upon their rushing success might provide a more balanced offensive attack going forward.
Defensive Struggles
Defensively, Louisiana-Monroe has conceded 216 points, placing them 116th in points allowed. Despite this, their pass rush has been effective, recording 15 sacks, which ranks them 14th. The Warhawks’ ability to pressure opposing quarterbacks could be crucial in their upcoming games.
The team has also excelled at creating turnovers, with 4 interceptions and 2 fumbles recovered, ranking 5th and 8th, respectively. These defensive plays could serve as pivotal momentum shifts, potentially setting up scoring opportunities for the offense.
Recent Performance
Recent games have been a mixed bag for Louisiana-Monroe, with a recent 37-14 loss to Troy highlighting their ongoing struggles. Despite gaining more first downs and slightly more total yards than their opponents, turnovers proved costly. This pattern of turnovers has been a recurring theme in their losses.
In their match against Coastal Carolina, the Warhawks struggled to stop the run, allowing 284 rushing yards. Their previous victories against Arkansas State and UTEP showcased their potential when both the offense and defense click, particularly with their rushing prowess.
Key Players
Quarterback Aidan Armenta has been the standout on offense, with 910 passing yards and 8 touchdowns. His ability to limit interceptions will be key to improving the passing game’s efficiency. Running back Braylon McReynolds leads the ground attack with 445 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns, providing a consistent threat.
Wide receiver Jonathan Bibbs has emerged as a reliable target with 216 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns. His chemistry with Armenta will be vital in stretching the field and opening up the rushing lanes.
Betting Trends
- O/U – As Underdog: Last 10 Games (2024–2025) → 9-1 (90.0%)
- SU – As Favorite: Last 9 Games (2022–2025) → 7-2 (77.8%)
- O/U – All Games: Last 14 Games (2024–2025) → 10-4 (71.4%)
- O/U – Away Games: Last 11 Games (2023–2025) → 8-3 (72.7%)
- O/U – After Win: Last 5 Games (2024–2025) → 4-1 (80.0%)
Southern Miss vs Louisiana-Monroe Prediction: Southern Miss -12.0
Southern Miss enters this game with a strong 5-2 record, showcasing their ability to perform well in the Sun Belt Conference. With a home record of 3-1 and a 3-0 conference record, they have been a dominant force at M.M. Roberts Stadium. Their recent performance against Louisiana-Lafayette, winning 22-10, highlights their defensive capabilities and poise under pressure.
On the other hand, Louisiana-Monroe has faced challenges on the road, holding a 1-3 record away from home. Their offensive stats, including a rank of 119th in passing yards, suggest struggles in moving the ball through the air. This could be problematic against Southern Miss’ robust defense that ranks 13th in interceptions and 7th in sacks.
Considering the recent trends, Southern Miss has excelled against the spread (ATS) at home with a perfect 3-0 record in 2025. Additionally, they have covered the spread in five of their last six games as favorites. Given their current form and defensive strength, the Golden Eagles are likely to cover the -12.0 spread against the Warhawks.
Southern Miss is projected to take advantage of Louisiana-Monroe’s weak passing game and capitalize on their defensive strengths. A final score of Southern Miss 34 – Louisiana-Monroe 17 supports the pick for Southern Miss to cover the spread.
- Southern Miss vs Louisiana-Monroe Prediction: Southern Miss -12.0
- Southern Miss vs Louisiana-Monroe Score: Southern Miss 34 – Louisiana-Monroe 17
