Trey Lowe, Southern Miss quarterback, hands the ball to Darius Mayberry, Southern Miss running back, during their NCAA football game against the University of North Alabama at USM in Hattiesburg, Miss., Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020. (Cam Bonelli/Hattiesburg American via AP)
The Associated Press
HATTIESBURG, Miss. (AP) - Kevin Perkins broke one tackle at the line of scrimmage and spun out of another, scoring his career-high third touchdown of the game as Southern Mississippi rallied past North Alabama 24-13 on Saturday.
Two plays after Perkins' third TD, Natrone Brooks snagged his first career interception, setting up a 38-yard Briggs Bourgeois field goal with 1:33 remaining to ice the win.
Outscoring North Alabama 17-0 in the fourth quarter, the Golden Eagles (2-5) halted a two-game skid and won their first game at home this season. The win is also the first for interim coach Tim Billings, who is the Golden Eagles third coach this season.
Frank Gore Jr. rushed for 103 yards on 13 carries to lead a 245-yard ground game for Southern Miss. The Lions were held to 23 yards rushing.
North Alabama (0-3), playing its first game since Oct. 17, nursed a 10-7 lead into halftime after Mike Boykin blocked a 28-yard Bourgeois field goal attempt.
The FCS Lions, in their third season transitioning from Division II, end their COVID-shortened four-game season with a 1,681-mile road trip to face BYU in Provo, Utah Nov. 21.
Blake Dever completed 21 of 28 passes for 153 yards and a score for North Alabama.
Trey Lowe, Southern Miss quarterback, looks to make a pass during their NCAA football game against the University of North Alabama at USM in Hattiesburg, Miss., Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020. (Cam Bonelli/Hattiesburg American via AP)
The Associated Press
Blake Dever, University of North Alabama Lions quarterback, looks to make a pass during their NCAA football game against Southern Miss at USM in Hattiesburg, Miss., Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020. (Cam Bonelli/Hattiesburg American via AP)
The Associated Press
University of North Alabama Lions tackle Frank Gore Jr., Southern Miss running back, during the first half of their NCAA game at USM in Hattiesburg, Miss., Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020. (Cam Bonelli/Hattiesburg American via AP)
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Jack Abraham, Southern Miss quarterback, high fives Thomas Morton, Southern Miss quarterback, as he comes off the field during their NCAA football game against the University of North Alabama Lions in Hattiesburg, Miss., Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020. (Cam Bonelli/Hattiesburg American via AP)
The Associated Press
Tim Billings, Southern Miss interim head coach, watches their NCAA football game against the University of North Alabama Lions at USM in Hattiesburg, Miss., Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020. (Cam Bonelli/Hattiesburg American via AP)
The Associated Press
Hayes Maples, Southern Miss linebacker, tackles Ja'Won Howell, University of North Alabama Lions runningback, during their NCAA football game in Hattiesburg, Miss., Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020. (Cam Bonelli/Hattiesburg American via AP)
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Kevin Perkins, Southern Miss runningback, makes a touchdown run during their NCAA football game against the University of North Alabama in Hattiesburg, Miss., Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020. (Cam Bonelli/Hattiesburg American via AP)
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Two players, Mike Boykin, UNA defensive end, and Antoine Robinson, Southern Miss wide receiver, break out into a fight during the Southern Miss and University of North Alabama NCAA football game in Hattiesburg, Miss., Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020. (Cam Bonelli/Hattiesburg American via AP)
The Associated Press
Malik Shorts, Southern Miss defensive back, tackles Andrew Little, University of Alabama Lions wide receiver, during their NCAA football game at USM in Hattiesburg, Miss., Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020. (Cam Bonelli/Hattiesburg American via AP)
The Associated Press