Southern Miss to Start John White Against James Madison

Southern Miss is set to host James Madison on Thursday night at M.M. Roberts Stadium in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, with a significant change at the quarterback position. Redshirt-sophomore John White has been named the starter for the contest, taking over for redshirt senior Landry Lyddy. The game, which kicks off at 8 p.m. ET, will be broadcast on ESPN2.

The decision to start White comes despite Southern Miss currently riding a two-game winning streak. While the team has found success recently, head coach Blake Anderson appears to be prioritizing mobility against a formidable James Madison defense. Anderson has previously expressed high confidence in White, noting earlier this season that he views the young signal-caller as a potential long-term starter for the program.

White, a standout athlete from Madison-Ridgeland Academy, brings a prolific high school resume to the field. During his prep career, he surpassed the state record for passing yards previously held by Myles Brennan, throwing for 15,259 yards. After enrolling early at Southern Miss and appearing in one game during the 2025 season, White is now tasked with leading the offense against a James Madison squad that reached the College Football Playoff last year.

James Madison enters the matchup with a 7-2 record, looking to regain momentum after suffering consecutive overtime losses to Appalachian State and Troy. Despite these recent setbacks, the Dukes remain in contention for the Sun Belt title. The team is led by dual-threat quarterback JC Evans, who has been a central figure in their offensive strategy throughout the season.

The betting landscape reflects the challenge facing the home team, with James Madison entering the game as 13.5-point favorites. The over/under for the matchup is set at 57.5 points. Analysts note that while Southern Miss has struggled with consistency, their recent victories over Louisiana and ULM were fueled by a resurgent rushing attack, which the team hopes to maintain against a Dukes defense that has historically been difficult to penetrate.

For Southern Miss, the game represents an opportunity to extend their winning streak to three games and continue their climb within the Sun Belt West. Meanwhile, James Madison aims to avoid a third straight defeat as they look toward the remainder of their schedule. Fans in Hattiesburg have been encouraged to wear black for the Thursday night event, which serves as a pivotal conference showdown for both programs.