Peterson scores 2 TDs, rushes for 136 yards as Rice dumps Southern Miss 44-17

HOUSTON – Turner Peterson rushed for 136 yards and scored two touchdowns, helping Rice defeat Southern Miss 44-17 on Saturday.

Peterson caught a 38-yard touchdown pass from Driphus Jackson in the second quarter and capped the scoring with an 8-yard TD run with 3:37 left in the game for the Owls (3-6, 1-4 Conference USA).

Jackson completed 4 of 6 passes for 92 yards and two touchdowns in relief of starter Taylor McHargue, who took a hit on his injured shoulder in the second quarter and did not return.

Southern Miss (0-8, 0-4) turned the ball over five times and remained winless this season despite gaining more yards — 372 to 370 — than the Owls. Tracy Lampley had four receptions for 101 yards for the Golden Eagles.

One of Southern Miss' turnovers was a 75-yard interception return by Rice's Paul Porras that gave the Owls a 31-10 lead in the third quarter.