Houston, TX – Austin Davis completed 17-of-33 passes for 279 28 upset of the seventh-ranked Houston Cougars on Saturday to capture the 2011 Conference USA championship.
Tracy Lampley had a big day for the Golden Eagles (11-2, 6-2 C-USA), catching six passes for 125 yards and two touchdowns. He also led the Southern Mississippi rushing attack with 71 yards on the ground on 14 carries.
Dominique Sullivan brought in four balls for 95 yards and a score, while Ryan Balentine caught three passes for 24 yards and a touchdown.
The Southern Mississippi defense also came up huge with two interceptions -- one returned for a touchdown -- and a blocked punt returned for a touchdown en route to the program's first conference title.
Case Keenum threw for 373 yards on 41-of-67 passing, two touchdowns and two interceptions for Houston (12-1, 8-0), who lost for the first time this season and were denied the school's first-ever BCS bowl game bid.
Michael Hayes rushed 15 times for 50 yards and two touchdowns while Justin Johnson caught 12 passes for 171 yards and a two touchdowns.
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