NEW ORLEANS, Aug. 31 (UPI) -- Mewelde Moore rushed for 147 yards Saturday to boost Tulane to a 37-19 victory over Division I-AA Southern.
Moore, who ran for a school-record 1,421 yards last year, did not find the end zone but handled 29 of Tulane's 46 rushing attempts and also caught a 44-yard touchdown pass.
The Green Wave opened a 20-0 lead early in the third quarter and coasted to their second straight win in the "Big Easy Classic." Tulane routed Southern, 51-7, last year.
J.P Losman completed 13 of 23 passes for 183 yards and two touchdowns for Tulane, including an 18-yard strike to James Dunn that opened the scoring 2:31 into the contest.
Losman also scored on a four-yard run with 1:21 left in the first half that gave the Green Wave a 17-0 halftime lead.
Quincy Richard was 21 of 32 for 157 yards and absorbed six sacks for Southern. Victor Ike ran for 92 yards on 11 carries.
Tulane opened a 37-13 lead on Sean Lucas' 76-yard fumble return with 1:24 left.
Backup Anthony Fisher found Michael Hayes for a six-yard touchdown reception on the last play to make the final more respectable.
