University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Southern Miss
2-2 , 0-0
Tulane
3-1 , 0-0
Football Edges Tulane in Battle for the Bell
9/24/2022 10:27:00 PM | Football
NEW ORLEANS -- — Zach Wilcke threw a pair of touchdown passes, Eric Scott, Jr. returned an interception for a score and Southern Miss collected its second win of the season, beating previously unbeaten Tulane on Saturday night, 27-24.
Wilcke's 37-yard touchdown pass to Jakarius Caston tied it at 17 late in the third quarter. Scott's pick-6 stretched the Southern Miss lead to 27-17 with 7:07 remaining. Wilcke was 17-of-25 passing for 194 yards. Caston had a career-high eight receptions for 91 yards.
Michael Pratt's 25-yard touchdown pass to Jha'Quan Jackson for Tulane capped the scoring with 19 seconds left.
Tyjae Spears ran for 114 yards and two touchdowns for Tulane (3-1). Spears also made five catches for 74 yards. Spears' 8-yard TD run and his 34-yard scoring run gave Tulane a 14-0 lead early in the second quarter.
Southern Miss (2-2) ended a two-game skid in the series, a 30-13 loss in the 2020 Armed Forces Bowl and a 66-24 defeat at home during the 2020 regular season.
It was the 33rd meeting in the series dating to 1979, but the first in New Orleans since 2010, a 46-10 Southern Miss win at the Louisiana Superdome. It was also the first time the teams met in Yulman Stadium.
Dominic Quewon registered his team-high third sack of the year in the second quarter. The Golden Eagles registered four sacks for the third straight game and now have 14 on the year.
Jay Jones collected his first blocked punt of his career in the second quarter as it was the program's first blocked punt since Jordan Mitchell did it against UTEP on Sept. 28, 2019.
Southern Miss will enjoy its bye week before heading to Troy on Oct. 8 to open Sun Belt play.
Team Stats
USM 0, TLN 7
TLN - Spears,Tyjae 8 yd run (Esnard,Kriston kick), 7 plays, 62 yards, TOP 02:43
USM 0, TLN 14
TLN - Spears,Tyjae 34 yd run (Esnard,Kriston kick), 6 plays, 87 yards, TOP 03:03
USM 7, TLN 14
USM - Brownlee,Jason 23 yd pass from Wilcke,Zach (Bourgeois,Briggs kick) 5 plays, 44 yards, TOP 01:45
USM 10, TLN 14
USM - Bourgeois,Briggs 36 yd field goal 4 plays, 6 yards, TOP 02:03
USM 10, TLN 17
TLN - Esnard,Kriston 28 yd field goal 10 plays, 64 yards, TOP 02:28
USM 17, TLN 17
USM - Caston,Jakarius 37 yd pass from Wilcke,Zach (Bourgeois,Briggs kick) 7 plays, 70 yards, TOP 03:06
USM 20, TLN 17
USM - Bourgeois,Briggs 26 yd field goal 7 plays, 49 yards, TOP 02:50
USM 27, TLN 17
USM - Scott,Eric 35 yd interception (Bourgeois,Briggs kick)
USM 27, TLN 24
TLN - Jackson,Jha'Quan 25 yd pass from Pratt,Michael (Esnard,Kriston kick) 4 plays, 72 yards, TOP 00:37
