Middle Tennessee beats Southern Miss 36-31

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (AP) Austin Grammer threw for two touchdowns and Shane Tucker ran for two more to help lead Middle Tennessee to a 36-31 victory over Southern Miss on Saturday.

Grammer threw for a career-high 332 yards and Tucker ran for 60 yards for the Blue Raiders (4-2, 3-0 Conference USA). Reggie Whatley added 100-yards rushing as Middle Tennessee combined for 583 offensive yards.

The Blue Raiders led 24-12 at the half and the score remained unchanged until both teams combined for five touchdowns in the fourth quarter.

Nick Mullens' threw two touchdown passes -both to Michael Thomas and both for 17 yards - in the first eight minutes of the fourth but the Golden Eagles (2-4, 0-2) still trailed by a double-digit deficit. Mullens cut the difference to six with 27 seconds left after his third touchdown pass, but the Blue Raiders came up with the onside kick to seal the win.