MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WTVA/AP) - Brandon Hayes ran for 115 yards and two touchdowns, and Jai Steib added two rushing scores to help Memphis beat winless Southern Miss 42-24 on Saturday in the season finale for both teams.
Jacob Karam threw for 162 yards and two touchdowns for the Tigers (4-8, 4-4 Conference USA). Memphis, which totaled nearly 450 yards on offense, earned its third straight victory for the first time since 2008.
Memphis took a 21-3 lead with 1:08 left in the second quarter on a 13-yard touchdown run by Steib, who finished with 89 yards on 16 carries.
Southern Miss (0-12, 0-8 C-USA) scored just before halftime when Arsenio Favor connected with Jalen Richard on a 16-yard touchdown to cut the lead to 21-10. But the Tigers answered with three touchdowns in the third quarter to build enough cushion for the victory.
Anthony Alford threw for 110 yards and two touchdowns for Southern Miss.
The Golden Eagles finish the season winless under first-year head coach Ellis Johnson, one year after going (12-2) and winning the Conference USA Championship Game under Larry Fedora.
