HATTIESBURG, Miss. — Jarveon Williams rushed for 88 yards and broke the UTSA single-season rushing record, but Nick Mullens threw for 343 yards and a pair of touchdowns to lead Southern Miss to a 32-10 victory against UTSA on Saturday night at Roberts Stadium.
Mullens was 23-of-31 through the air, as the Golden Eagles (4-3, 2-1 C-USA) piled up an opponent season-high 556 yards of offense (213 rush/343 pass).
Williams gained his 88 yards on 16 carries (5.5 avg) and surpassed David Glasco's previous school standard of 570 set last year on a 47-yard run in the third quarter. The junior from Converse Judson now has 618 yards this season.
The Roadrunners (1-6, 1-2 C-USA) came up with three takeaways in the first half — two interceptions and a fumble recovery — but could not capitalize.
Meanwhile, the Golden Eagles racked up 350 yards of offense before halftime en route to a 16-0 lead.
Mullens found Michael Thomas deep over the middle for a 47-yard scoring connection on the home team's fourth play from scrimmage to help stake Southern Miss to a 7-0 lead.
The Golden Eagles added three field goals from Stephen Brauchle, including 22- and 20-yarders in the final two minutes for the 16-0 advantage at intermission.
Southern Miss added to its lead on the first drive of the second half after a 5-yard touchdown pass from Mullens to D.J. Thompson capped an 11-play, 75-yard scoring march.
Brauchle tacked on a 39-yard field goal midway through the third quarter to make it 26-0.
UTSA got on the board on its next possession. Williams broke loose for on his record-breaking run to key an eight-play, 64-yard drive that was capped by a 1-yard touchdown pass from Dalton Sturm to Kerry Thomas Jr.
The UTSA defense came up with its fourth turnover on Bennett Okotcha's second interception of the night near midfield. That led to a 30-yard field goal by Daniel Portillo that pulled the visitors to within two possessions at 26-10.
The Golden Eagles answered on their next possession. Facing third-and-four at the 31-yard line, Mullens avoided a blitz and hit Jalen Richard on a 53-yard catch and run down to the UTSA 16. Four plays later, Richard punched it in from one yard out to provide the final margin.
Duke Wheeler led the defense with 11 tackles, while Drew Douglas added 10. Michael Egwuagu had five stops to go along with his third interception in the last three contests.
UTSA will take next weekend off before returning to action on Saturday, Oct. 31, at North Texas (0-6, 0-3 C-USA). Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Apogee Stadium in Denton.