NEW ORLEANS - Alabama-Birmingham's suspect defense finally caught up with it - and against a struggling team at that.
Lester Ricard set a Tulane single-game record with six touchdown passes and had 417 yards to lead the Green Wave to a 59-55 upset of the Blazers Saturday.
"It's the most (touchdowns) I've ever thrown in my whole life," Ricard said. "This just feels great."
Ricard drove Tulane 78 yards for the winning score, which came on a 12-yard pass to Chris Bush with 27 seconds left. It was the first victory of the season against a Division I-A opponent for Tulane. The Green Wave defeated I-AA Florida A&M.
Ricard is in his first year as a starter following three straight predecessors who went to the NFL: former Buc Shaun King, Patrick Ramsey and J.P. Losman.
"We've been spoiled with the last three quarterbacks we've had, and Lester has had a lot of undue criticism," coach Chris Scelfo said. "He's growing up each week and hopefully he'll continue."
The Blazers rushed for 201 yards. Dan Burks had 90 yards and a touchdown.
S. MISS. 51, ECU 10: Damion Carter threw for two touchdowns and the host Golden Eagles held the Pirates to minus-3 yards rushing. Carter hit Antwon Courington from 4 yards and Tavarres Williams from 23 to give Southern Miss a 49-3 lead entering the fourth. Six players scored for the Eagles, including Anthony Harris, who scored on runs of two and 13 yards. Southern Miss led 35-0 at the half.
TCU 34, HOUSTON 27: Tye Gunn came off the bench to run for two touchdowns and throw for two more for the host Horned Frogs. Gunn took over for quarterback Brandon Hassell, who left the game after taking a hard hit on an option keeper in the first quarter. Gunn rushed for 41 yards on seven carries, scoring on two 1-yard keepers, and completed 16-of-24 for 234 yards. Kevin Kolb completed 25 of 44 passes for 256 yards and touchdowns of 4, 12 and 5 yards for Houston.
CINCINNATI 49, MEMPHIS 10: Gino Guidugli threw for three touchdowns for the host Bearcats. Guidugli completed 13 of 18 passes for 182 yards for Cincinnati, which outgained the Tigers 424-202. Cincinnati rushed for 242 yards and four touchdowns while holding Memphis to only 89 rushing yards. Richard Hall scored two touchdowns in the first quarter.
