Louisiana Tech routs Rice; HBU snaps losing streak
RUSTON, La. — Ryan Higgins threw for two touchdowns and ran for another, Trent Taylor had seven catches for 131 yards to become Louisiana Tech’s career leader in receptions, and the Bulldogs beat Rice 61-16 on Saturday night to become bowl eligible.
Boston Scott rushed for 132 yards and three scores and Higgins completed 18 of 25 passes for 292 yards and added 106 yards rushing — including a 71-yard touchdown run that gave Louisiana Tech (5-4, 4-1 Conference USA) a 28-0 lead late in the first quarter.
The Bulldogs had a season-high 735 total yards including four plays of 70 yards or longer: Hig- gins’ 71-yard run, a 71-yard reception by Taylor, an 89-yard catch-and-run by DeJuawn Oliver and a 70-yard touchdown run by Scott.
Rice (1-7, 0-5) had just 33 total yards in the first quarter. HOUSTON BAPTIST 24 LAMAR 17
Tony Dawson threw for 193 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for another 73 yards to lead the Huskies to a win over the Cardinals in Beaumont and help stop a four-game losing streak.
Houston Baptist (3-5, 2-4 Southland) last won on Sept. 17, beating Abilene Christian 27-24.
Austin Krautz led Lamar (3-5, 3-3) with 114 rushing yards. SMU 35, TULANE 31
Braeden West rushed for 119 yards and two touchdowns, including the go-ahead score with 1:16 left to complete a 10-point fourth-quarter comeback, and the Mustangs (4-4, 2-2 American Athletic Conference) beat the Green Wave in New Orleans. OLD DOMINION 31, UTEP 21
David Washington threw two touchdown passes, and Ray Lawry ran for two more scores in the fourth quarter to lead the Monarchs to a victory over the Miners in El Paso. PRAIRIE VIEW A&M28 JACKSON STATE 14
Jalen Morton scored on a 4-yard keeper with 2:34 left in the game, and the Panthers (5-3, 5-1 Southwestern Athletic Conference) held on to beat the Tigers in Jackson, Miss. STEPHEN F. AUSTIN 42 INCARNATE WORD 19
Zach Conque ran for three touchdowns and threw for three more as the Lumberjacks (4-4, 3-3 Southland) routed the Cardinals (1-7, 1-5) in San Antonio. UTSA 31, NORTH TEXAS 17
Dalton Sturm threw for two touchdowns, and Jalen Rhodes ran for two more to lead the Roadrunners (4-4, 3-2 Conference USA) past the Mean Green (4-4, 2-2) in San Antonio.
From wire reports