Southern Mississippi head coach Jay Hopson, left, confers with defensive lineman Jacques Turner (99) during the first half of their NCAA college football game against UTEP in Hattiesburg, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
The Associated Press
HATTIESBURG, Miss. (AP) - Jack Abraham passed for 351 yards and three touchdowns and Southern Mississippi rolled to a 31-13 victory over UTEP in a Conference USA opener on Saturday.
The Golden Eagles (3-2) took the lead for good on their first possession. Abraham hit De'Michael Harris for a 74-yard scoring strike on third-and-14 for a 7-0 lead. Southern Miss made it 14-0 after Jordan Mitchell blocked a punt and recovered the ball at the UTEP 2-yard line. Harris ran it in two plays later. The Miners (1-3) put together two long drives in the second quarter but had to settle for two Gavin Baechle field goals and trailed 24-6 at halftime.
Kai Locksley broke loose for a 63-yard touchdown run on UTEP's first play of the third quarter to get the Miners within 24-13, but Abraham directed a 10-play, 82-yard drive, capped by his 6-yard TD toss to Jaylond Adams to provide the final margin of victory.
Locksley completed 8 of 15 passes for 109 yards and led the Miners with 114 yards rushing on 12 carries. The rest of UTEP's rushers managed just 12 yards on 13 carries.
Kevin Perkins and Harris combined to rush for 127 yards on 22 totes for Southern Miss.
Southern Mississippi quarterback Jack Abraham (15) runs against UTEP during the first half of their NCAA college football game in Hattiesburg, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
The Associated Press
UTEP running back Treyvon Hughes (19) is tackled by Southern Mississippi linebacker Swayze Bozeman (28) and defensive back Ky'el Hemby (19) during the first half of their NCAA college football game in Hattiesburg, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
The Associated Press
UTEP quarterback Brandon Jones (8) readies to pass against Southern Mississippi during the first half of their NCAA college football game in Hattiesburg, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
The Associated Press
Southern Mississippi wide receiver De'Michael Harris (18) stretches the football past UTEP defensive end Praise Amaewhule (23) on a two-yard touchdown run during the first half of their NCAA college football game in Hattiesburg, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
The Associated Press
UTEP quarterback Kai Locksley (1) runs for short yards against Southern Mississippi during the first half of their NCAA college football game in Hattiesburg, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
The Associated Press
Southern Mississippi wide receiver De'Michael Harris (18) runs away from a UTEP defender on his way to a 74-yard touchdown pass reception during the first half of their NCAA college football game in Hattiesburg, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
The Associated Press