Maverick McIvor rallies Western Kentucky to a New Orleans Bowl victory, beating Southern Miss 27-16

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Western Kentucky Quarterback Rodney Tisdale Jr. (16) being rushed by a Southern Miss defender during the first of half of the New Orleans Bowl Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025 in New Orleans, La. (Aimee Cronan/The Gazebo Gazette via AP)

Southern Miss Receiver Tychaun Chapman (2) catches a ball between Western Kentucky defenders during the first half of the New Orleans Bowl Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025 in New Orleans, La. (Aimee Cronan/The Gazebo Gazette via AP) — Western Kentucky Quarterback Rodney Tisdale Jr. (16) being rushed by a Southern Miss defender during the first of half of the New Orleans Bowl Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025 in New Orleans, La. (Aimee Cronan/The Gazebo Gazette via AP)

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9:07 PM on Tuesday, December 23

The Associated Press

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Quarterback Maverick McIvor came off the bench to lead three second-half touchdown drives and Western Kentucky rallied to beat Southern Mississippi 27-16 on Tuesday night to win the New Orleans Bowl at Caesars Superdome.

Head coach Tyson Helton has led the Hilltoppers (9-4) to a bowl game in seven straight seasons, winning five of them.

McIvor completed 12 of 19 passes for 199 yards with one interception and rushed for a season-high 48 yards and a score on eight carries. Matthew Henry had seven receptions for 126 yards. Jack Cannon kicked two field goals.

Braylon Braxton threw a 35-yard touchdown pass to Tychaun Chapman in the first quarter and Creighton Wilbanks kicked two field goals in the second to help the Golden Eagles (7-6) take a 13-6 lead into halftime.

Southern Miss piled up 265 yards in the first half, while holding Western Kentucky to 84. The Hilltoppers outgained the Golden Eagles 338-112 after halftime.

Freshman quarterback Rodney Tisdale Jr. completed 9 of 20 passes for 65 yards with an interception for Western Kentucky before leaving right before halftime after taking a hard hit.

McIvor, who hadn't played since starting the first seven games, led the second-half charge.

McIvor capped an eight-play drive with an 11-yard touchdown run to tie it 13-all midway through the third quarter before Wilbanks kicked a 41-yard field goal to put Southern Miss up 16-13 heading to the fourth.

McIvor had a 23-yard run to the Golden Eagles' 1 and George Hart III plunged into the end zone two plays later for a 20-16 lead 7:48 remaining.

McIvor completed a 14-yard pass to Matthew Henry on third-and-11 and Marvis Parrish raced 54 yards for a score on the next play to set the final margin with 3:38 left. The Hilltoppers were successful on all eight third-down opportunities in the second half after going 1 for 9 in the first.

Braxton totaled 258 yards on 24-for-47 passing with an interception.

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