Cougar Comeback Falls Short Against Southern Miss, 31-27

Oct. 14, 2006

HATTIESBURG, Miss. (AP) - Jeremy Young threw two touchdown passes and rushed for another Saturday as Southern Miss held off a late rally to beat Houston 31-27 in a crucial Conference USA game.

Young outplayed Houston quarterback Kevin Kolb for much of the game as the Golden Eagles (4-2, 2-1 C-USA) sought to return to the top of the league's Eastern Division. It was the third straight loss for the Cougars (4-3, 2-1).

Young kept Houston at bay in the first half while the team waited for the return of top rusher Damion Fletcher and top receiver Shawn Nelson, who had been suspended for a half on a curfew violation. Young led the team to a 14-7 halftime lead with one touchdown pass, then gave the Golden Eagles a cushion with a 1-yard dive early in the fourth quarter to make it 24-14.

Kolb hit Jeron Harvey for a 74-yard touchdown to pull within 24-21 at 10:47. But Young clinched the win with a touchdown pass to Nelson with 3:46 remaining.

Kolb then led a desperation drive that ended with a 13-yard touchdown pass to Harvey as time expired.

Young finished with 180 yards on 17-of-26 passing. He also had two touchdowns dropped by receivers.

Kolb pushed his school record streak of passes without an interception to 176, but was unable to push the Cougars to a win. He completed 22-of-38 passes for 339 yards, surpassing his season average of 292.7 yards per game on the final drive.

Tailback Jackie Battle rushed for touchdowns of 5 and 1 yards for Houston. Harvey finished with 174 yards on five catches to go with his two scores.

Fletcher, the nation's No. 9 rusher coming into the weekend, finished with 80 yards, his lowest output of the season.

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