MONROE, La. – ULM saw more from Derrick Gore but it wasn't enough in a 28-17 loss to Southern Miss Saturday night at Malone Stadium.

Gore, a junior transfer running back from Alabama, rushed for 96 yards on 18 carries in a breakout performance for the Warhawks (0-2). However, Gore did most of his damage in the first half, gaining 84 yards on 15 attempts.

"I give credit to the offensive line," Gore said. "In the second half, we didn't run it as much, but the score dictated what we had to do. We did a good job, but it wasn't good enough."

As a team, ULM rushed for 218 yards, with quarterback Caleb Evans adding 90 yards and two scores on 11 carries.

ULM's quarterbacks Evans and starter Garrett Smith were a combined 11-of-27 passing for 112 yards.

"We haven't found our rhythm yet or our identity, and we need to find that quick," Evans said. "But once we get that, I feel like we'll be a very good team."

Southern Miss (2-1) tallied 534 yards total offense, with running back Ito Smith striking for 219 yards on 27 attempts. Quarterback Kwadra Griggs completed 17-of-32 attempts for 250 yards and three scores with one interception.

"Give Southern Miss credit," ULM coach Matt Viator said. "We'll go back to the drawing board. I was kicking myself as the second quarter went on. I didn't think we were sharp enough. It's not an excuse, but we had 16 days off. I tried to do enough in practice to let us come out sharp. But I didn't think we came out sharp enough."

Southern Miss took its opening drive to pay dirt with a quick nine-play, 68-yard march.  Griggs connected with receiver Korey Robertson from 15 yards to give the Golden Eagles a 7-0 edge.

Gore made his presence felt late in the first quarter as the go-to-guy on ULM's 10-play, 76- yard drive.  Gore gained 59 yards on seven attempts, including a nifty 26-yard dash to power ULM into the red zone. Evans scored two plays into the second quarter with a 1-yard plunge to tie the contest at 7-7.

Southern Miss answered quickly with Smith's 27-yard touchdown run for a 14-7 edge at the 12:05 mark in the first half.

Tight end Josh Pederson emerged as a pivotal player on ULM's second scoring drive later in the second quarter. Pederson made a 29-yard catch and converted a crucial fourth-and-1 with a 7-yard grab, coming up just short of a touchdown. Craig Ford kicked a 19-yard field goal to complete the nine-play, 59-yard trip, narrowing the margin to 14-10.

With 1:51 left in the first half, Robertson scored his second touchdown of the game on a 20-yard reception. Needing just 1:26, Southern Miss covered 78 yards in five plays to lead 21-10 at halftime.

Evans exploded up the middle for a 67-yard touchdown dash with 8:55 showing in the third quarter. ULM's quarterback faked a handoff to Ben Luckett in the backfield and showed off his running skills on a career-long rush to close the gap to 21-17.

Southern Miss had a nine-play, 79-yard offensive response, answering with a 42-yard touchdown pass from Griggs to Allenzae Staggers to go back up 28-17 with 5:31 left in the third. The Golden Eagles converted on fourth-and-1 from their own 47 to keep that drive alive.

"I thought we competed," Viator said. "We played a good football team, who won a bowl game last year and has 13 or 14 seniors. But I'm disappointed because I think we're close. Make a play or two here or there. We're a play or two short."

Enemy lines: Running back Ito Smith showed ULM fans why he's considered one of the top running backs in the nation. Smith averaged 8.1 yards per carry with a long of 44 yards.

Smith had 105 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries in the first half.

"He's a great player, fast and shifty," ULM defensive end Caleb Tucker said. "He's a running back, who can catch the ball. He's a really good football player."

Stand by me: After a rough first half, the ULM defense rallied and forced a three-and-out to open the third quarter. Southern Miss mustered just 2 yards on the drive, as David Griffith registered a tackle and a quarterback hurry during the stand.

The ULM defense was on the field for 80 plays overall.

"I thought defensively we kept fighting," Viator said. "The end of the third quarter and fourth quarter, we got four stops but didn't do anything with it."

QB watch: Garrett Smith made the start at quarterback, with Caleb Evans appearing on ULM's third series. Evans started the second half and played the duration of the game.

Smith was 4-of-9 for 60 yards and Evans hit 7-of-18 for 52 yards.  Evans did most of his damage on the ground with 90 yards, including the 67-yard score.

"I just have to trust in my ability and be more comfortable in the offense," Evans said. "If nothing is open, I can run too. That's something I really have to think about. I can actually run and it took over this game."

Postgame chatter: "We're right there. I think it's frustrating for us because we're right there. We get within four points a couple of times and have them pinned back with the opportunity to make plays. We're close but not quite there." – ULM coach Matt Viator.

Up next: ULM opens Sun Belt Conference play with the Ragin' Cajuns on Sept. 23 at Lafayette, La. The Cajuns (1-2) dropped a 45-21 decision at Texas A&M on Saturday. Kickoff is 4 p.m.

"We'll regroup and go play another bowl team next week," Viator said.

Tail feathers: Attendance was 11,061 for ULM's home opener. ... Freshman cornerback Corey Straughter, from Monroe's Neville High School, made his first career interception with a leaping grab in the end zone late in the third quarter. ... ULM baseball coach Mike Federico, a former Southern Miss pitching coach, joined the ULM radio broadcast at halftime. "Sitting up here tonight and seeing the lights on at the (baseball field), it's a beautiful place," he said. ... With time winding down in the second quarter, ULM's Marcus Green gained 31 yards on a double-reverse. ... Collin Turner was shaken up defending a deep pass play in the third quarter and was helped off the field by the training staff. ... ULM punter Harrison Heim uncorked a 62-yard punt to pin USM at the 12 in the third quarter.