HATTIESBURG (AP) — Nick Mullens threw three touchdown passes and ran for another score to help Southern Mississippi beat Austin Peay 52-6 on Saturday.

Mullens was 22-of-40 for 275 yards passing. Ito Smith rushed for 135 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries for Southern Miss (1-1), and also caught a 49-yard touchdown pass from Mullens.

USM’s offense had 239 yards rushing and 275 passing for a total of 514.

“The offensive line did a great job,” Smith said.

Although Smith picked up two big plays, the other running backs got their share of carries, too. Justice Hayes, the transfer from Michigan, carried nine times for 53 yards and one touchdown. Starter Jalen Richard carried eight times for 44 yards.

Southern Miss averaged 8.0 yards per rush in the game.

Mullens said that helped with the passing game, since the Governors couldn’t concentrate just on stopping the pass, and praised Smith.

“It was cool to see some big plays,” Mullens said. “Ito did a great job. We saw plenty of talent his freshman year. He’s more mature, more solid. He’s a real dependable player, a great kid.”

A blocked punt set up Mullens’ 2-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. He had touchdown passes of 3 and 9 yards, and Smith ran for a 75-yard score to give the Golden Eagles a 28-6 halftime lead.

Mullens connected with Smith on a 49-yard scoring strike, and Kalan Reed had a 76-yard interception return for a touchdown in the third quarter.

Trey Taylor threw a 44-yard touchdown pass to Rashaan Coleman for Austin Peay (0-2). Tyalor completed 11 of 18 passes for just 93 yards, and the Governors only had 189 yards of total offense.

USM defensive lineman Dylan Bradley had two of the Golden Eagles’ three sacks.