DALLAS (AP) — Southern Mississippi won nine games this season to tie Washington State for the greatest improvement at the FBS level.
That was of no comfort to Golden Eagles coach Todd Monken following the Golden Eagles' 44-31 loss to Washington on Saturday in the Heart of Dallas Bowl.
Washington freshman running back Myles Gaskin broke a third-quarter tie with an 86-yard run and finished with a season-high 181 yards and four touchdowns to help the Huskies finish 7-6.
Southern Mississippi finished 9-5 with a Conference USA West Division title after being picked to finish fourth.