HATTIESBURG, MISS. — Casey Printers ran for a touchdown and threw a touchdown as TCU beat Southern Mississippi, 14-12, on Friday night to earn a bowl bid.
The Horned Frogs (6-5, 4-3 Conference USA) closed the regular season with two straight victories to earn a spot against Texas A&M in the galleryfurniture.com Bowl in Houston on Dec. 28.
The Golden Eagles (6-5, 4-3) lost their final two games and will miss the postseason for the first time in five years.
Printers was 15-for-31 for 274 yards, ran for 28 yards and was at his best on third-and-long. Six times he converted on third-and-5 or longer, four on passes and twice running.
Adrian Madise caught six passes for 177 yards and a touchdown for the Horned Frogs, who beat C-USA champ Louisville two weeks ago to keep their bowl hopes alive.
Jeff Kelly was 20-for-37 for 224 yards and a touchdown in his final game for Southern Miss, but threw three second-half interceptions in TCU territory.
The final one came with 33 seconds left and the Golden Eagles driving.
On a second-and-5 from the TCU 32, Kelly's wobbly passed sailed high over the middle and hit TCU's Kenneth Hilliard in the chest. Hilliard bobbled the ball before catching it while lying on his back at the 14.
Kelly's second pick came moments after Southern Miss' Antoine Cash sacked Printers in the end zone for a safety that made the score 14-12 TCU late in the third.
After Jason Goss' interception ended a Southern Miss drive at the TCU 14, Printers and Madise combined on highlight-reel touchdown that gave the Horned Frogs their first lead early in the third quarter.
Printers fired a high spiral deep down the sideline to a streaking Madise, who cradled the ball with his right hand, shed a defender and cruised the distance for a 74-yard score that made the score 14-10.
Brant Hanna had a chance to give Southern Miss the lead with 3:11 left in the game, but his 45-yard field goal fell short and to the right.
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