Mullens' 5 TD passes lead Southern Miss over Rice 65-10
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HOUSTON (AP) Nick Mullens tied a single-game program record before the first half was over with five touchdown passes, and Southern Miss beat Rice 65-10 on Saturday.
Mullens finished 23 of 31 for 386 yards, five TDs and no interceptions before giving way to backup Tyler Matthews when the score was 52-0 late in the in the third quarter.
The Golden Eagles (7-3, 5-1 Conference USA) amassed a program-record 682 total yards to win their fourth straight. Regardless of outcomes next week, the Southern Miss-Louisiana Tech winner on Nov. 28 will determine the Conference USA West Division champion.
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Michael Thomas had five catches for 126 yards and two touchdowns. Ito Smith had six catches for 83 yards and two TDs.
Rice (4-6, 2-4) avoided a shutout in the fourth quarter with Hayden Tobola's field goal and Driphus Jackson's 20-yard TD pass to Nate German.