HOUSTON (AP) – Nick Mullens tied a single-game program record before the first half was over with five touchdown passes, and Southern Miss beat Rice 65-10 on Saturday.

Mullens finished 23 of 31 for 386 yards, five TDs and no interceptions before giving way to backup Tyler Matthews when the score was 52-0 late in the in the third quarter.

The Golden Eagles (7-3, 5-1 Conference USA) amassed a program-record 682 total yards to win their fourth straight. Regardless of outcomes next week, the Southern Miss-Louisiana Tech winner on Nov. 28 will determine the Conference USA West Division champion.

Michael Thomas had five catches for 126 yards and two touchdowns. Ito Smith had six catches for 83 yards and two TDs.

Rice (4-6, 2-4) avoided a shutout in the fourth quarter with Hayden Tobola’s field goal and Driphus Jackson’s 20-yard TD pass to Nate German.