USM pulls even with Tulane after 3 quarters

NEW ORLEASNS, La. (WDAM) - A 37-yard touchdown pass Saturday night from freshman quarterback Zach Wilcke to Jakarius Caston pulled the University of Southern Mississippi even with unbeaten Tulane University, 17-17, after three quarters.

Tulane had jumped on USM, running out to a 14-0 lead early in the second quarter.

But the Golden Eagles (1-2) punched back, scoring on a 23-yard touchdown pass from Wilcke to Jason Brownlee and,after a blocked punt, Briggs Bourgeois kicked a 28-yard field goal, to get USM within 14-10.

Tulane (3-0) drove down inside the Golden Eagles’ 10-yard line with the last possession of the first half, but had to settle for a field goal and a 17-10 lead at the break.

Tyjae Spears, who logged 107 yards rushing/receiving on 11 touches in the first half, scored Tulane’s early TDs on runs of 8 yards and 34 yards.

Wilcke was 11-of-14 for 86 yards and a touchdown.

Tulane outgained USM over the first two quarters, piling up 253 yards total offense to USM’s 108 total yards.

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