BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Junior Ben Mauk shrugged off mistakes and Southern Miss defenders alike, and helped No. 20 Cincinnati make one more entry into an impressive season.

Outgoing Golden Eagles coach Jeff Bower, meanwhile, couldn't put another win on his ledger.

The hard-to-tackle Mauk passed for 334 yards and four touchdowns, and DeAngelo Smith intercepted three passes yesterday, leading the Bearcats to a 31-21 victory over Southern Miss in the Papajohns.com Bowl.

The victory gave Cincinnati (10-3) its second 10-win season and first since 1951, while virtually assuring a spot in the final rankings for the first time.

"It's kind of finishing off what's been a really important season in UC football," first-year coach Brian Kelly said. "It started out with waking up a program that maybe had nodded off a little bit. It took us six wins this year to get ranked in the Top 25. I don't know that it will take six next year."

Mauk, the game's most valuable player, completed 30 of 52 passes and overcame three interceptions by Southern Miss (7-6).

It was the final game for Bower after 17 seasons at his alma mater. Bower was forced to resign after a disappointing regular season, leading to the hiring of Oklahoma State offensive coordinator Larry Fedora.

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