Southern Mississippi avoids rare second consecutive winless season

Southern Mississippi avoided its second consecutive winless season with a 62-27 victory on the road over Alabama Birmingham in a Conference USA game Saturday.

Nick Mullens passed for 370 yards and a career-high five touchdowns as well as rushed for another score to lead the Eagles (1-11, 1-7 in conference play) to the win.

Southern Miss avoided joining Kansas State (three times), Wisconsin (1967-68), Northwestern (1956-57), William & Mary (1912-13) and Tulane (1905-06) as major colleges with back-to-back winless seasons since 1900.

Kansas State was the last school, in 1987-88, to have consecutive winless seasons. The Wildcats also had consecutive winless campaigns in 1965-66 and 1946-47.

Next up to avoid back-to-back winless seasons are Miami of Ohio (0-12, 0-8 Mid-American Conference) and Georgia State (0-12, 0-7 Sun Belt Conference).

Hawaii could be on the hook as well. The Warriors (0-11, 0-8 Mountain West Conference) need a win in their nonconference game against Army on Saturday night -- kickoff is 8 p.m. Pacific time -- to avoid a winless season.

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