WESTERN KENTUCKY DEFEATS SOUTHERN MISS 27-16 IN 25TH NEW ORLEANS BOWL

Maverick McIvor came off the bench to lead three second-half touchdown drives as Western Kentucky University defeated the University of Southern Mississippi 27-16 in the 25th annual New Orleans Bowl Tuesday at the Caesars Superdome.

McIvor, named the game’s most valuable player, entered the game with 1:28 left in the first half when starter Rodney Tisdale Jr. was injured. The seventh-year graduate student accounted for 245 total yards in the second half – 199 passing and 46 rushing.

The Hilltoppers (9-4) gained 334 of their 422 yards and converted on eight of nine third downs after halftime to give Conference USA its fourth consecutive victory in the New Orleans Bowl.

WKU trailed 13-6 at intermission, but McIvor scored the tying touchdown on an 11-yard run with 6:57 remaining in the third quarter.

Creighton Wilbanks’ 41-yard field goal, his third of the night, gave Southern Miss (7-6) a 16-13 lead heading into the fourth quarter, but the Hilltoppers rallied with a pair of touchdowns in the final eight minutes for the victory.

Baton Rouge native George Hart III’s 1-yard run capped an 11-play, 65-yard drive – which included a pair of third-down conversions and a 23-yard McIvor run to reach the 1 – that gave the Hilltoppers a 20-16 lead with 7:51 to play.

The WKU defense came up with another stop, and the offense followed with the game-clinching score. McIvor had a pair of third-down completions and freshman Marvis Parrish followed with a 54-yard touchdown run down the left sideline to make it a two-score game with 3:38 left.

Jaylen Lewis’ interception with 1:45 remaining ended Southern Miss’ final comeback hope.

Southern Miss quarterback Braylon Braxton passed for 258 yards and a touchdown. Despite finishing the season with four consecutive losses, the Golden Eagles improved their win total by six games over 2024.