A long season has come to an end.

Southern Miss (1-11, 0-8) finished a dreadful campaign with a 52-20 road loss to Troy (4-8, 3-5), capping the first year since 2012’s winless season without an FBS win.

The Golden Eagles scored first and converted a two-point conversion to take an early 8-0 lead for the second week in a row, but the Trojans followed with 24 unanswered points and kept USM at arm’s length down the stretch.

The loss is the 10th in a row for the Eagles and all have come by double digits. Southern Miss now holds the record by a current Sun Belt Conference member for consecutive double-digit point losses.

Tate Rodemaker threw two touchdown passes, one to Moss Point native and Ole Miss transfer Larry Simmons and the other to Ti Mims.

Both scoring tosses were USM’s first second-half touchdown passes of the year. Rodemaker added a third in the fourth quarter, but it was Troy defensive back Ian Connerly-Goodly on the receiving end and he brought it back for a 31-yard pick six.

Rodemaker ended the day with 234 yards and two interceptions.

Troy running back Damien Taylor gashed the Eagles for 169 yards and 3 scores.

Southern Miss ends the year having committed at least one turnover in every game and a nation-worst -19 turnover margin.

The Golden Eagles will have to wait until next season’s week two game at Auburn for another opportunity at their first FBS win since Nov. 9, 2023.

What’s next?

Reed Stringer’s tenure as interim coach is expected to come to an end soon, according to athletic director Jeremy McClain’s timeline.

McClain told media members following the firing of Will Hall he hopes to have a new coach announced by the end of November in order to get ahead of early signing day on Dec. 4 and the transfer portal window opening on Dec. 9.

Several coaches have been linked to the job as the search hits the final stretch. Footballscoop.com reports discussions between the school and former UAB coach Bill Clark and former Middle Tennessee State coach Rick Stockstill.

Current Marshall coach Charles Huff has also been connected to the job. The Thundering Herd entered the final week 8-3 and one win shy of playing in the SBC championship game in Huff’s contract season.

Southern Miss currently has the No. 8-ranked recruiting class in the conference with 10 commits, including Pascagoula quarterback Silas Corder.