Watch Conference USA Football Championship Game

On December 4, 2021, ESPN aired the Conference USA Football Championship Game, showcasing the two top-ranked teams in the conference facing off for the ultimate prize of being crowned conference champions. The game took place at the M.M. Roberts Stadium in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, where the Southern Miss Golden Eagles hosted the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers.

The pre-game hype was building for weeks leading up to the game, with both teams coming into the contest with identical 8-4 records. The winner of this game would not only be named Conference USA champions but would also secure a bowl game bid, adding even more incentive to both teams.

The game kicked off at 1:00 pm ET with both teams coming out firing on all cylinders. The first quarter was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams moving the ball effectively and trading touchdowns. The Golden Eagles' offense was led by quarterback Ty Keyes, who threw for 260 yards and two touchdowns in the game, with the majority of his yards coming in the first half.

Western Kentucky's offense was equally impressive, with quarterback Bailey Zappe lighting up the scoreboard with 345 yards and four touchdown passes in the game. Zappe's favorite targets were wide receivers Mitchell Tinsley and Craig Burt Jr., who combined for three of his four touchdowns.

The second quarter saw more of the same from both teams, as neither team could gain a significant advantage over the other. The Hilltoppers' offense continued to put up points, scoring 14 in the second quarter, including two touchdowns from Burt Jr. and a field goal from kicker Brayden Narveson. Meanwhile, the Golden Eagles' offense struggled to keep pace, scoring only 7 points in the quarter, leaving them down by 10 points going into halftime.

The second half saw a significant shift in momentum, with the Golden Eagles coming out of the locker room on fire. The defense stepped up, forcing two turnovers in the third quarter, including a key interception by DQ Thomas.

On the offensive side of the ball, Keyes continued to lead the charge, throwing for another touchdown in the third quarter and leading a game-winning drive in the fourth quarter that culminated in a touchdown pass to wide receiver Jason Brownlee. The Golden Eagles' defense held strong in the final minutes of the game, sealing the victory and a Conference USA championship with a final score of 38-35.

The win was a massive boost for the Golden Eagles, who had struggled for much of the season, losing their first four games before rallying to win eight of their last nine. The victory was even more impressive considering they were facing one of the top offenses in the country, and they were able to hold them in check in the second half.

The game was an instant classic, with both teams putting on a show for the fans and viewers at home. The Conference USA championship game continues to grow in popularity, and this year's edition was one of the best yet. With both teams playing at such a high level, it was a thrilling contest from start to finish, and a fitting end to a fantastic season of college football.