Nick Mullens needed this.
Southern Miss’ senior quarterback and Conference USA’s preseason pick for Offensive Player of the Year, Mullens struggled out of the gate this season. A year after torching and torturing opposing defenses with pinpoint precision, the Alabama native’s first four outings this season were inconsistent and, at times, tame. He averaged 228.2 yards passing through the first 1/3 of the campaign and was intercepted six times.
Mullens needed to make a statement. He did so in resounding fashion. In the Golden Eagles’ 44-28 victory over Rice, Mullens obliterated the Owls to the tune of 591 yards passing (smashing Austin Davis’ previous school record of 461).