Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs Southern Miss Golden Eagles, New Orleans Bowl

College Football

Western KY

9-4

27-16

Final

Southern Miss

7-6

Caesars Superdome

Drive chart

Drives

End of Game
Interception
Touchdown
Punt
Touchdown
Punt

Team	1	2	3	4	T
WKU	3	3	7	14	27
USM	7	6	3	0	16

Who won: Western KY 27-16

The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers beat the Southern Miss Golden Eagles 27-16 in New Orleans Bowl on Tuesday, December 23, 2025 at Caesars Superdome. The Western KY outscored the Southern Miss 14-0 in the 4th quarter. Maverick McIvor led the Western KY in passing yards (12/19, 199 YDS, 1 INT). Braylon Braxton led the Southern Miss in passing yards (24/47, 258 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT).

Win probability

100%WKU final

WKUUSM

Tap or hover the line to see the play. Dots mark the biggest swings.

Play by play

Q4 0:00
End of 4th quarter.
Q4 0:08
Shotgun #9 G.Hart III rush middle for 14 yards gain to the USM40 (#41 A.Foster; #0 B.Toles), 1ST DOWN
3rd & 4 at WKU 46
Q4 0:12
Timeout Western Kentucky, clock 00:12
Q4 0:50
Shotgun #9 G.Hart III rush middle for 5 yards gain to the WKU46 (#53 J.Harper; #24 J.Battle)
2nd & 9 at WKU 41
Q4 1:35
No Huddle-Shotgun #9 G.Hart III rush middle for 1 yard gain to the WKU41 (#95 M.Clinton; #53 J.Harper)
1st & 10 at WKU 40
Q4 1:45
TO
No Huddle-Shotgun #1 B.Braxton pass intercepted by #7 J.Lewis at WKU12 #7 J.Lewis return 28 yards to the WKU40 (#14 R.Briggs Jr.), out of bounds
2nd & 14 at WKU 42
Q4 1:55
Timeout Southern Miss, clock 01:55
Q4 1:50
No Huddle-Shotgun #1 B.Braxton sacked for loss of 4 yards to the WKU42 (#34 K.Hayward)
1st & 10 at WKU 38
Q4 2:00
Timeout Southern Miss, clock 02:00
Q4 2:05
No Huddle-Shotgun #1 B.Braxton pass complete short right to #22 J.Hayes caught at WKU43, for 12 yards to the WKU38 (#34 K.Hayward), out of bounds, 1ST DOWN
2nd & 10 at 50
Q4 2:10
No Huddle-Shotgun #1 B.Braxton pass incomplete deep right to #22 J.Hayes thrown to WKU18
1st & 10 at 50
Q4 2:22
No Huddle-Shotgun #1 B.Braxton pass complete short middle to #6 M.Davis caught at USM50, for 9 yards to the USM50 QB hurried by #3 A.Brackenridge, End Of Play, 1ST DOWN. The previous play is under automatic review - "First down". CALL UPHELD. #3 A.Brackenridge, #98 J.Hardy injured on the play
4th & 5 at USM 41
Q4 2:41
No Huddle-Shotgun #1 B.Braxton pass incomplete short middle to #7 C.Chester thrown to WKU48
3rd & 5 at USM 41
Q4 3:02
No Huddle-Shotgun #1 B.Braxton pass complete short left to #22 J.Hayes caught at USM40, for 5 yards to the USM41 (#3 A.Brackenridge), out of bounds
2nd & 10 at USM 36
Q4 3:08
No Huddle-Shotgun #1 B.Braxton pass incomplete short middle thrown to USM36 broken up by #93 R.Su'a-Filo
1st & 10 at USM 36
Q4 3:25
No Huddle-Shotgun #1 B.Braxton pass complete short middle to #24 J.Carter caught at USM27, for 11 yards to the USM36 (#98 J.Hardy), 1ST DOWN
1st & 10 at USM 25
Q4 3:38
#42 J.Cassidy kickoff 65 yards to the USM00, Touchback
TOUCHDOWNQ4 3:38
Touchdown! 54 yd run
Marvis Parrish 54 Yd Run (John Cannon Kick)
WKU 27 - 16 USM
Q4 4:03
Shotgun #7 M.McIvor pass complete short middle to #0 M.Henry caught at WKU42, for 14 yards to the WKU46 (#22 C.Myrick), 1ST DOWN
3rd & 11 at WKU 32
Q4 4:20
Timeout Southern Miss, clock 04:20
Q4 4:14
No Huddle-Shotgun #7 M.McIvor rush right for 1 yard gain to the WKU32 (#14 J.Tapp)
2nd & 12 at WKU 31
Q4 4:52
No Huddle-Shotgun #9 G.Hart III rush left for 2 yards loss to the WKU31 (#17 M.Montgomery)
1st & 10 at WKU 33
Q4 5:11
No Huddle-Shotgun #7 M.McIvor pass complete short middle to #85 J.West caught at WKU32, for 12 yards to the WKU33 (#22 C.Myrick), 1ST DOWN
3rd & 6 at WKU 21
Q4 6:02
No Huddle-Shotgun #7 M.McIvor rush middle for 4 yards gain to the WKU21 (#35 C.Jones)
2nd & 10 at WKU 17
Q4 6:13
Shotgun #7 M.McIvor pass incomplete short right to #21 M.Parrish thrown to WKU16
1st & 10 at WKU 17