Southern Mississippi's Camron Harrell (29) returns a kickoff for a touchdown during the second half against Florida Atlantic in an NCAA college football game, Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020, in Hattiesburg, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
The Associated Press
HATTIESBURG, Miss. (AP) - Trey Lowe threw two touchdown passes and ran for a score, Camron Harrell returned a kickoff 100 yards for a TD, and Southern Miss beat Florida Atlantic 45-31 on Thursday night in the season finale for both teams.
FAU (5-3, 4-2 Conference USA), the conference champion last season, was eliminated from contention for the 2020 title. The Owls, who went into the game ranked No. 3 nationally in scoring defense (12.4), allowed more than 20 points for the first time this season.
Lowe was 13-of-19 passing for 209 yards with an interception and added 70 yards rushing and a score on 16 carries. Freshman Frank Gore Jr. had 111 yards rushing, including a 73-yard touchdown in the first quarter, for Southern Miss (3-7, 2-4).
Tim Jones caught a 5-yard touchdown pass that capped a 13-play, 75-yard drive and gave the Golden Eagles the lead for good at 24-17 with 8 seconds left in the first half. Jason Brownlee scored on a 43-yard catch-and-run to give Southern Miss a 14-point lead nearly four minutes into the third quarter.
Charles, who finished with 16 carries for 79 yards, scored on a 1-yard run to trim FAU's deficit to 31-24. Harrell returned the ensuing kickoff for a score and the Owls then went three-and-out. But a lateral pass by Lowe bounced off its intended target and Armani Adams' 43-yard scoop-and-score made it 38-31 with 54 seconds left in the third.
Kevin Perkins, who finished with 15 carries for 71 yards rushing, capped the scoring with a 3-yard run with 4:55 to play.
Harrell added six tackles - one for a loss - and two passes defended.
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Southern Mississippi quarterback Trey Lowe (8) runs behind blockers during the second half of the team's NCAA college football game against Florida Atlantic, Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020, in Hattiesburg, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
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Florida Atlantic quarterback Nick Tronti (6) takes a snap as Southern Mississippi defensive lineman Eriq Kitchen (2) rushes during the second half of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020, in Hattiesburg, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
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Florida Atlantic coach Willie Taggart speaks to a player during the second half of the team's NCAA college football game against Southern Mississippi, Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020, in Hattiesburg, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
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Florida Atlantic safety Armani-Eli Adams returns a Southern Mississippi fumble for a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020, in Hattiesburg, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
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Southern Mississippi interim coach Tim Billings watches the team play against Florida Atlantic during the second half of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020, in Hattiesburg, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
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Southern Mississippi running back Darius Maberry (7) pushes away Florida Atlantic safety Zyon Gilbert (24) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020, in Hattiesburg, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
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Southern Mississippi running back Darius Maberry (7) tries to fend off Florida Atlantic safety Zyon Gilbert (24) while rushing for a first down during the second half of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020, in Hattiesburg, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
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Florida Atlantic linebacker Leighton McCarthy (13) sacks Southern Mississippi quarterback Trey Lowe (8) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020, in Hattiesburg, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
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Florida Atlantic quarterback Javion Posey (11) passes while under pressure from Southern Mississippi defensive lineman Eriq Kitchen (2) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020, in Hattiesburg, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
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