Ismail Mahdi scores four times and Texas State holds off Southern Miss in 50-36 shootout

Ismail Mahdi returned the opening kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown and added three rushing touchdowns to highlight Texas State's 50-36 victory over Southern Mississippi on Saturday night. Mahdi nearly had a fifth touchdown on a bizarre play in the third quarter. Bobcats quarterback TJ Finley was about to be sacked deep in Texas State territory but managed to flip the ball forward to Mahdi who took off down the sideline. As he approached the end zone, Southern Miss defensive back Jay Stanley knocked the ball loose and it bounced out of bounds in the end zone.