Danny Hrapmann kicked a 49-yard field goal with 2:37 remaining as Southern Mississippi rallied to beat Louisiana Tech 19-17 on Saturday in Hattiesburg, Miss.

Louisiana Tech’s final two drives were stopped on downs to allow the Bulldogs a chance to move into field goal position and win the game.

The Golden Eagles are considered a contender to win the Conference USA championship, but they trailed 17-13 midway through the fourth quarter against the Bulldogs from the Western Athletic Conference.

Quarterback Austin Davis was 21-of-37 for 199 yards and one interception for Southern Miss, which held a 379-243 edge in total yards.

The Golden Eagles’ Kelvin Bolden scored on a double-reverse, 12-yard run early in the first quarter, but left the game later in the first half with a concussion and did not return.

Lyle Fitte’s 86-yard kickoff return at the end of the third quarter marked six straight years that Louisiana Tech has returned a kick for a touchdown.

Bulldogs freshman quarterback Nick Isham completed 20-of-36 passes for 176 yards.

An estimated 10,000 fans braved the wind and rain as Tropical Storm Lee made landfall along the Louisiana coast.

Southern Miss leads the series 31-13, which includes last year’s 13-12 win over the Bulldogs in Ruston. Louisiana Tech hasn’t won in Hattiesburg since 1982.