NSU had to dig out of a 20-point first half hole but a second half blitz buried the Eagles of Southern Mississippi 35-23 at Ab-Linc Stadium Saturday night.

Despite being out-yarded the entire contest, NSU capitalized off six USM turnovers to pull away in the second half. The Eagles held a 190-91 total yard advantage at halftime but held a slim 20-14 lead.

NSU's Franklin made a spectacular cut on a 12-yard scoring run one play after the first of five USM second half turnovers. The touchdown gave the Prairie Dogs a 21-20 lead in the third quarter. Southern Miss would answer back in the fourth, regaining the lead after an 18-yard field goal by Parks midway through the final quarter.

Holding that lead with under 1:20 to go, USM's Williams caught an apparent first down at the Eagles' 24-yard line. But the senior receiver was stripped of the ball as he went down as NSU's McBride recovered.

Scott Franklin gave NSU the lead for good with a two-yard plunge with 1:16 left in the game. Another USM turnover two plays later allowed Franklin to score his fourth touchdown of the night, again on a two-yard blast with :47 left. The sixth and final USM turnover on the ensuing series allowed the #7 Prairie Dogs kill the clock and preserve the win over the old Liberty Bowl foe.

Despite the win, NSU coach Ryan Ditka wasn't overly excited at the outcome.

"We've got to get better in several areas. Schifano struggled in the pocket and the receivers dropped way too many balls. We get down by 20 we're gonna lose some games, no doubt about it. We've got to play better but hats' off to Southern Miss. They came in here and really controlled the game. Over all it was a good win and certainly something we're going to build on as the season goes."