Jordan Howard rushed for a career-high 262 yards and a touchdown to lead the UAB Blazers to a 45-24 win over the Southern Miss Golden Eagles in a Conference USA showdown at M.M. Roberts Stadium.
Howard did his damage on 35 carries for UAB (6-6, 4-4 C-USA), which gained bowl eligibility on the final game of the regular season. Cody Clements threw for 176 yards and three touchdowns on 14-of-21 passing, while D.J. Vinson rushed for 86 yards and a score on 10 carries.
For USM (3-9, 1-7), Nick Mullins completed 24-of-42 passes for 263 yards and a touchdown. Jalen Richard amassed 91 yards and a touchdown on just six carries.
Clements tossed a pair of first-quarter touchdowns to give UAB a 14-0 lead. First he hooked up with Tristan Henderson for a 24-yard score at the 11:11 mark, and less than six minutes later he and J.J. Nelson connected on a 14- yard touchdown.
Clements found another receiver for a touchdown late in the final minute of the second quarter, this time hooking up with Josh Magee on a 22-yard score.
USM was able to salvage a poor half when Michael Thomas returned the ensuing kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown.
The Blazers made their lead 28-7 early in the third quarter when Howard rushed in a 1-yard score.
After two misses earlier in the game, Corey Acosta made a 45-yarder for USM at the 9:26 mark of the third, but UAB responded on the ensuing kickoff when Nelson ripped off a 99-yard touchdown return.
Ty Long tacked on a 34-yard field goal for UAB with 14:49 to play in the fourth quarter, and less than three minutes later Vinson rushed in a 12-yard score.
USM added a 60-yard rushing score by Richard late in the game.
UAB outgained USM on the ground, 371-97.
[SportsNetwork.com]
