Sports

Final Score: Southern Miss 19, Louisiana Tech 17

Hattiesburg, MS (Sports Network) - Kelvin Bolden scored the lone touchdown for Southern Miss on his only offensive touch of the game to lead the Golden Eagles to a 19-17 victory over Louisiana Tech in a non-conference bout.

Four field goals and strong defense were the keys to success for Southern Miss (1-0).

Quinton Patton registered nearly 100 receiving yards on five catches for Louisiana Tech (0-1).

The only points of the first half came on a 13-yard touchdown run by Bolden of Southern Miss.

Louisiana Tech cut its deficit to 7-3 with a third-quarter field goal by Matt Nelson, a 28-yarder, but Danny Hrapmann answered with a 38-yarder of his own for the Golden Eagles.

On the final play of the third quarter, Lyle Fitte returned a kickoff 86 yards for a touchdown to give the Bulldogs a 17-13 edge.

The fourth quarter was packed with action. Corey Acosta hit a 25-yard field goal Southern Miss, which rotated plackickers.

However, a 13-10 Golden Eagle lead quickly disappeared when Lennon Creer plunged into the end zone from a yard out to give Tech a 17-13 edge with 9:43 left.

Fortunately for Southern Miss, the defense was able to hold strong down, and both Acosta and Hrapmann hit big field goals to claim them win for their squad.