University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Southern Miss Picks Up 31-3 Victory Over Tulane
11/11/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 11, 2006
NEW ORLEANS - After scoring just 10 points in the first three quarters, the Southern Miss Golden Eagles reeled off 21-straight points in the final period to pick up the 31-3 Conference USA victory over Tulane, in front of 21,687, at the Louisiana Superdome on Saturday.
The three scores in the final quarter came off a 50-yard fumble return by LeVance Richmond and a pair of rushing touchdowns by freshmen running backs Damion Fletcher and Tory Harrison.
With the victory, Southern Miss became bowl-eligible and improved to 6-4 on the season and 4-2 in C-USA action, while Tulane dropped to 3-7 overall and 1-5 in league play.
Fletcher finished with a game-high 136 yards rushing and tallied two scores to help lead Southern Miss, which finished with 393 yards of total offense, the fourth-highest total of the season.
While the offense had a productive day, the Golden Eagle defense fared even better, allowing just 85 yards of total offense. The sub-100 yard total given up by Southern Miss marked the first time since 1981, when the Eagles gave up just 48 yards to North Texas that season.
The Golden Eagles got on the board first on their opening drive, marching 60 yards on six plays, culminating in a 2-yard touchdown run by freshman Damion Fletcher.
Southern Miss extended its lead to 10-0 in the opening minutes of the second quarter, when Darren McCaleb made good on a 24-yard field goal attempt. The drive was set up by Caleb Hendrix's team-leading third interception of the season.
The Green Wave chipped at the lead on a 40-yard field goal by Ross Thevenot with 1:37 remaining in the first half.
Southern Miss had a chance to add to the lead in the final seconds of the half, but McCaleb's 44-yard field goal attempt was blocked, preserving the 10-3 score heading into the break.
Following a scoreless third quarter, Richmond scooped up a Tulane fumble, returning it 50 yards for the touchdown, giving Southern Miss the 17-3.
Later, Fletcher added his second touchdown, a 4-yard score and Harrison added a 10-yard rushing touchdown in the final drive of the game to seal the victory.
Tukombo Abanikanda led Southern Miss with eight tackles in the game, seven of them solos, while Gerald McRath finished with six stops. Brandon Sumrall and Matthew Chatelain each had five tackles in the game.
