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HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Louisiana Tech failed to overcome several missed opportunities as Southern Miss defeated the Bulldogs, 39-24, to snap LA Tech's seven-game unbeaten streak Friday at M.M. Roberts Stadium in Hattiesburg.

The Bulldogs will now await Saturday's Conference USA results to find out their opponent and location of the Conference USA Championship game on Saturday, Dec. 3.

"I thought Southern Miss played a good football game and did a really nice job," head coach Skip Holtz said. "I thought we got shredded as a secondary, and same thing offensively. I thought they controlled the line of scrimmage and really made it hard to get anything going. It was a frustrating night. We turned the ball over and made mistakes you can't make if you want to win.

"I hate that we came here and played as poor as we did in this game tonight, but I think the players are really excited about having the opportunity to represent the West and play in the conference championship game. This is two out of the last three years this football team has had the opportunity to represent the West and play in the conference championship game."

Louisiana Tech managed just eight rushing yards on the night, while Southern Miss racked up 431 yards of total offense for the Golden Eagles' sixth win of the season to become bowl eligible. LA Tech fell to 8-4 on the season with a 6-2 mark in Conference USA.

Ryan Higgins was 22-of-39 passing for 246 yards and three interceptions, while Trent Taylor caught 10 passes for 119 receiving yards. Jarred Crafted ran the ball nine times for a total of 17 yards and two rushing touchdowns.

In his return for the Golden Eagles, Nick Mullens was 29-of-33 passing for 342 yards and three touchdowns on the night, while receiver D.J. Thompson hauled in 12 catches for 135 yards and two touchdowns. Ito Smith ran the ball 24 times for 127 yards for Southern Miss.

Southern Miss struck first in the contest with Nick Mullens leading the Golden Eagles on an 80-yard scoring drive that ended with a four-yard rushing touchdown by Keon Howard to put USM ahead 7-0 on the opening drive.

LA Tech answered right back on its first offensive possession and tied the game at 7-7 with a 67-yard scoring drive that was capped off by a 7-yard rushing touchdown by Jarred Craft, his eighth of the season.

Southern Miss took a 10-7 lead later in the first quarter thanks to Stephen Brauchle's 22-yard field goal to give the Golden Eagles a three-point advantage.

The Bulldogs jumped ahead early in the second quarter when Jaylon Ferguson's sack forced a fumble by the Golden Eagles, which was recovered by Secdrick Cooper who lateralled the ball to Xavier Woods, who took it back 30 yards for the touchdown to give LA Tech a 14-10 lead over USM.

D.J. Thompson once again gave the Golden Eagles a lead by capping off a 91-yard scoring drive with a 21-yard touchdown reception midway through the second quarter to put Southern Miss ahead, 17-14, over LA Tech.

Southern Miss extended its lead to 23-14 when Thompson made it to the end zone for the second time Friday afternoon on an 8-yard touchdown reception later in the first half.

LA Tech cut the lead to six on the team's last possession of the first half thanks to a 31-yard field goal by Jonathan Barnes to make it a one-score game heading into the locker room.

After halftime, LA Tech had a chance to make it a three-point game on the opening drive of the third quarter, but Jonathan Barnes' 40-yard field goal attempt missed wide right, as Southern Miss continued to hold a 23-17 lead over the Bulldogs.

Midway through the third quarter of play, Louisiana Tech failed to convert a fourth and 1 situation, allowing Southern Miss to take over on downs at its own 10-yard line.

Southern Miss took a 29-17 lead over the Bulldogs late in the third thanks to a 6-yard touchdown pass from Mullens to Korey Robertson.

In the fourth, Southern Miss added to its lead with a 25-yard field by Brauchle, as well as a 1-yard rushing touchdown by Mullens to make it a 39-17 advantage for the Golden Eagles.

The Bulldogs were able to get on the board for the first time in the second half when Craft scored his second rushing touchdown of the game on a 2-yard run with under a minute remaining in the game.

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