Southern Miss dominates Austin Peay in 52-6 win

-a9a823e5d99e7a59HATTIESBURG, Miss.  (AP) — Nick Mullens threw three touchdown passes and ran for another score to help Southern Mississippi beat Austin Peay 52-6 on Saturday.

Mullens was 22 of 40 for 275 yards passing. Ito Smith finished with 135 yards rushing on 10 carries and a touchdown for Southern Mississippi (1-1).

A blocked punt set up Mullens’ 2-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. Mullens had touchdown passes of 3 and 9 yards, and Smith ran for a 75-yard score to give the Golden Eagles a 28-6 halftime lead.

Mullens connected with Smith on a 49-yard scoring strike, and Kalan Reed had a 76-yard interception return for a touchdown in the third quarter.

Trey Taylor threw a 44-yard touchdown pass to Rashaan Coleman for Austin Peay (0-2).

It was the first meeting between the schools.