Conference USA news and notes

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NORTH TEXAS: The Mean Green (5-3, 3-1) are now just one game away from being bowl eligible for the first time since 2004 after their 55-14 rout of Southern Miss in Hattiesburg. NT built a 41-7 halftime lead after it allowed USM to run only seven offensive plays in the second quarter. NT amassed 529 yards of total offense and 30 first downs while limiting USM to just 249 total yards and 10 first downs. The Golden Eagles averaged only 1.9 yards per carry and managed to gain only 39 rushing yards. Derek Thompson completed 18-of-27 pass attempts for 300 yards and two touchdowns, but was also picked off twice. Brelan Chancellor made four catches for 127 yards and a touchdown, while Carlos Harris led the team with seven receptions which he turned into 87 yards. Reggie Pegram and Brandin Byrd combined for 135 yards and four of the Mean Green's six rushing touchdowns. NT's defense registered three interceptions, four sacks and seven tackles for loss. The Mean Green will try to secure bowl eligibility and win their fourth game in a row on Thursday when they host Rice.

RICE: The combination of Taylor McHargue and Jordan Taylor was unstoppable for Rice (6-2, 4-0) as it became bowl eligible with a 45-7 home victory over Texas- El Paso. Taylor piled up 185 yards and three touchdowns on four receptions, while McHargue went 8-of-19 passing for 259 yards with a career- high four TDs. Charles Ross tallied 152 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries. The Owls finished with 524 total yards of offense and stifled the Miners, who managed to gain only 364 total yards. Rice recorded a pair of takeaways and allowed UTEP inside the red zone only once. The Owls have now won four games in a row and are one of just two teams in the conference left with a perfect league record. They have a very tough test on Thursday as they head upstate to battle North Texas at Apogee Stadium.

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