Nov. 13, 2004

Final Stats

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) -DeAngelo Williams rushed for 199 yards and keyed a second-half comeback with a pair of touchdowns to lead Memphis to a 30-26 victory over Southern Mississippi on Friday.

The victory makes Memphis (6-3, 3-3 Conference USA) bowl-eligible for the second straight season and snapped a two-game losing streak. It was the second straight loss for Southern Miss (5-3, 4-2).

Memphis trailed 26-14 before Williams scored from 4 and 75 yards out late in the third quarter to give the Tigers the lead.

Stephen Gostkowski, who struggled against winds approaching 20 mph, connected on a 31-yard field goal with 6:51 remaining for Memphis' final points.

After a sluggish first half by both offenses, the teams began scoring at will in the third quarter. Southern Mississippi benefited from Memphis turnovers, while the Tigers answered with Williams.

An interception by John Eubanks gave the Golden Eagles the ball at the Memphis 41. It took Southern Miss only four plays before Wayne Hardy went over from the 1. Later in the third period, Southern Miss capitalized on a Memphis fumble, converting it into a 10-yard scoring pass from Dustin Almond to Anthony Harris.

But Wimprine and Williams, who had been held in check in the first half, also were getting untracked. Wimprine hit Ryan Scott for a 68-yard score, Scott beating Southern Miss defender Howard Overby for the jump ball.

Then Williams, who was hampered by a strained right shoulder, took over. After the short TD run he broke free for 75 yards to give Memphis a 27-26 lead heading into the fourth period.

The offensive struggles of the first half were due to some good defense abetted by the stiff wind. Southern Miss led 12-7 at halftime.

Wimprine, who scored the Tigers' first-half touchdown on a 1-yard sneak, connected on 11-of-19 passes, but for only 99 yards.

Golden Eagles quarterback Dustin Almond struggled through a 9-of-20 night. One of those completions was to Antwon Courington for a 16-yard touchdown to give the Golden Eagles their halftime lead. The 35-yard drive was set up by a short Memphis punt.

Courington was the Golden Eagles offensive star of the half with five catches for half of Southern Mississippi's 128 first-half passing yards.

The wind played havoc with Gostkowski, who missed a pair of field goals, including a 37-yarder as time expired in the half.

In the second half Gostkowski missed a 35-yard extra point attempt after a penalty, his first PAT miss in 88 tries.

Darren McCaleb connected on field goals of 33 ad 28 in the first half for Southern.