HATTIESBURG — Ito Smith rushed for 120 yards and two touchdowns on 28 carries Saturday night to lead Southern Miss to a 24-0 victory over UTEP.

Keon Howard completed 16 of 27 passes for 221 yards and a touchdown — a 52-yarder to Jaylond Adams in the first quarter — to win his second consecutive start for Southern Miss after being benched earlier this season. Howard returned to the starting quarterback role when Kwadra Griggs was injured.

The Golden Eagles (4-2, 2-1 Conference USA) held UTEP (0-7, 0-3) to just 147 yards of total offense and six first downs. UTEP had 17 rushing yards and committed three turnovers. Its longest run of the night was eight yards.

Southern Miss posted its second shutout of the season, and first of an FBS opponent since a 3-0 win over UAB on Sept. 29, 2001.