Allenzae Staggers is no stranger to big games, having played in and won the NJCAA national title game with East Mississippi Community College in 2014.

So when the bright lights came on this past Saturday when the University of Southern Mississippi took on the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in the New Orleans Bowl, the former Wilkinson County High School star rose to the occasion.

Staggers hauled in eleven passes, including a 5-yard touchdown pass, for 230 yards as the Golden Eagles beat the Ragin’ Cajuns 28-21.

“It was a great experience, and my first Division 1 bowl game,” Staggers said. “I was jittery and nervous. For big games, I still get nervous. Any game I’ll be nervous until I get that first contact.”

Staggers’ play, however, sure didn’t indicate any anxiety.

The 6-foor-1, 190-pound junior wide receiver was named the game’s Most Valuable Player and set a school-record with his second 200-yard receiving game in a single season. On Oct. 1, Staggers set another USM reocrd for receiving yards in a game with 292 yards in a 44-28 win over Rice.

With the bowl victory, Southern Miss managed to finish the year with a winning mark at 7-6.

“The year whole was just crazy,” Staggers said. “It was an amazing year. We had to fight through some adversity, but we overcame that, and it was just a blessing.”

Staggers signed with USM in December 2015 after a standout career at the Scooba-based EMCC campus.

In his two-year stint with the Lions, Staggers had 66 catches for 875 yards and 11 touchdowns.

After just one season with the Golden Eagles, Staggers upped his production with 1,165 yards receiving on 63 catches to go along with seven touchdowns.

“I didn’t know I was going to have this good of a good year,” Staggers said. “I thought my role was to make a few plays and contribute the best way I could. I didn’t know I was capable of doing the things I did.”

Staggers credits a strong working relationship with USM quarterback Nick Mullens as to a key to his success.

“Nick and I work every day after practice,” Staggers said. “He was one of the first people to talk to me (when I came from EMCC), and he told me I was going to play a big role.”

Staggers also credits former Alcorn State University coach and current USM head coach Jay Hopson with both own and the team’s successful season.

“Coach Hopson, he’s a fighter,” Staggers said. “He comes to work every day and never gives up. He gives maximum effort, and he’s a great guy.”

As USM and Staggers enter the offseason, the Woodville product said his focus is on improving his route running in addition to staying on track for graduation.

“Academics are very important to me because not a lot of people in my family graduated from college,” Staggers said. “It’s a big stepping stone for me.”

And with a strong backing back from his hometown, Staggers said he can accomplish anything he wishes in his remaining time in Hattiesburg.

“(Woodville) is my whole support system,” Staggers said. “They support me, and I stay in contact with all my coaches. Wherever I go, Woodville is always going to have my back and support me.”