which went 0-9 in the conference last season

HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- First-year Southern Mississippi coach Jay Hopson walks into a situation that many of his peers would envy.Theres the loaded roster that includes 13 returning starters and an experienced quarterback. Theres a fan base thats second to none in Conference USA and hungry for a return to prominence.But with that comes the expectations. And Hopson knows nothing less than a C-USA title will be accepted.On our Eagle Walk, they only put the champions up there, Hopson said. At the end of the day, the goal at Southern Miss is to win a championship -- thats our charge.Hopson takes over a program thats seen a remarkable variation of highs, lows and turnover since 2011. A quick history lesson:- Coach Larry Fedora and quarterback Austin Davis led Southern Miss to a 12-win season and Conference USA title in 2011. Fedora left for North Carolina in the offseason while Davis went to the NFL.- Coach Ellis Johnson took over the program and the Golden Eagles had one of the most remarkable collapses in college football history, falling to 0-12 in 2012.- Johnson was fired after one season and Todd Monken inherited a depleted program and lost its first 11 games in 2013. But he slowly rebuilt the roster and led Southern Miss to a 9-5 record in 2015, including a trip to the C-USA championship game before a loss to Western Kentucky. Monken left to become offensive coordinator for the NFLs Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the offseason.That brings the Golden Eagles to present day and the arrival of Hopson, who led Alcorn State to two straight SWAC championships in 2014 and 15.The pressure for Hopson will be intense. The Golden Eagles were especially effective on offense under Monken -- quarterback Nick Mullens threw for 4,476 yards, 38 touchdowns and 12 interceptions last season.Mullens says even with a new coach, he expects the same results.Every coach has to adjust to their personnel and they all have their little twist, Mullens said. So its a little different. But there are also a lot of similarities. So I think you can look forward to a balanced attack thats going to score a lot of points.Here are a few other things to know about Southern Miss this season:THOMPSONS TURNSouthern Miss top two receivers from last season -- Michael Thomas and Casey Martin -- are gone. That means Mullens likely top target will be D.J. Thompson, a 6-foot-3, 200-pound senior who caught 55 passes for 779 yards and six touchdowns last season.HOPSONS DEFENSEWhile Monkens background was mostly on offense, Hopson has spent most of his career on the defensive side of the ball. The Golden Eagles return five of their top seven tacklers from last season, including safety DNerius Antoine, who had 103 tackles and two interceptions in 2015.KEY GAMESThe Golden Eagles have a couple big opportunities against Southeastern Conference opponents, including the Sept. 3 season-opener at Kentucky. Southern Miss also travels to face LSU on Oct. 15. In C-USA play, the Golden Eagles conference title hopes could come down to showdowns against Marshall on Oct. 29 and Louisiana Tech on Nov. 25. Both of those games are at home.PREDICTIONSouthern Miss has the talent to win the C-USAs Western Division for a second straight year. Its just a matter of if Hopsons system can gel with the new personnel in time.-----Follow David Brandt on Twitter: www.twitter.com/davidbrandtAP-----Online: AP College Football website: www.collegefootball.ap.org Air Max 97 Undefeated For Sale . Its an influence in football and a big part of the game. Air Max 97 Valentines Day 2019 . 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CORVALLIS, Ore. -- With their long losing streak finally over, the Oregon State Beavers were anxious to face Boise State.Its good to get back in the win column, said Treston Decoud, who had a 75-yard interception return for a touchdown in Oregon States 37-7 victory over Idaho State on Saturday. But weve got a lot to work on.The victory snapped a 10-game losing streak for the Beavers that dated back to last season.Victor Bolden ran for 111 yards on just three carries, including a 92-yard touchdown run in the third quarter for the Beavers (1-1), the second-longest in Oregon State history.Wow, that was some Pac-12 right there, Idaho State coach Mike Kramer said about Boldens touchdown off the fly-sweep. As it happened, I was thinking, `Lets go home. Lets go home. Darell Garretson completed 15 of 30 passes for 172 yards. He last had eight carries for 46 yards and a touchdown.The Beavers will face a significant challenge next Saturday against the 2-0 Broncos, who were off this week after beating Washington State last weekend. Oregon State coach Gary Andersen described Boise State as having all the bells and whistles.Garretson, a transfer from Utah State who sat out last season under NCAA rules, scored on a 7-yard keeper and Ryan Nall added a 2-yard TD run as the Beavers ran up a 23-0 lead in the first half. Decoud scored on a 75-yard interception return midway through the third quarter for the Beavers.Its definitely been too long since we won, said Oregon State safety Devin Chappell. We cant get too high on this win. But were going to enjoy it tonight and then get back to work.Jakori Ford scored on a 75-yard run on the first play from scrimmage to open the second half for Idaho State (2-1). It matched the second longest offensive play for the Bengals since Kramer became coach in 2011.Ford finished with 122 yards on eight carries, Idaho States Tanner Gueller threw for 227 yards but was intercepted four times. The Bengals also lost a fumble.We gained quite a few yards (363) but you cant turn the ball over five times in a game and expect to win, Gueller said. Thats kind of the downfall this week. Well try to look at in on film and learn from it.Idaho State is now 0-26 against FBS teams since beating Utah State in 20000.ddddddddddddTAKEAWAYSIdaho State: It was the Bengals second straight loss to a Pac-12 team. Idaho State fell 56-7 at Colorado last weekend. The Bengals were picked to finish 11th in the Big Sky preseason media poll, and 12th among the leagues coaches.Im glad we dont have to play anyone in the Pac-12 next week, Kramer said.Oregon State: The Beavers have one more non-conference game, against Boise State, before embarking on the Pac-12 season. A confidence boost against the Broncos would be welcome for Oregon State, which went 0-9 in the conference last season. The Beavers lost their season opener at Minnesota when the Gophers scored a pair of unanswered touchdowns in the fourth quarter to win it 30-23.We have to look at whats good, bad and indifferent and then we have to jump right back in, Andersen said.ALWAYS LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE: Despite the loss, the Bengals were mostly encouraged by their showing against the Beavers.As a team and as an individual, its good for us to play these teams because, obviously, some of them are better than Big Sky teams, said linebacker Mario Jenkins. So when we play these guys and we feel like were successful, then, obviously, were going to be suited for the Big Sky teams.NEW DIGS: The Beavers christened the newly renovated Valley Football Center, which includes new locker rooms, offices for staff and medical facilities. That locker room and this facility (were) built with expectations, and they (the players) are responsible to go out there and represent Beaver Nation the right way, Andersen said this week.QUOTABLEIt should have been a shutout. Should have been a goose egg, Chappell said. But right now were just going to enjoy the win.UP NEXTIdaho State: Returns home to face Sacramento State in the conference opener next Saturday.Oregon State: The Beavers get a chance to build on the win next weekend against Boise State at Reser Stadium. The Beavers lead the all-time series against the Broncos 6-5. Boise State (2-0) had a bye this weekend after opening the season with a 45-10 over Louisiana-Lafayette and a 28-31 victory at home over Washington State. ' ' '