HOUSTON -- Bailey Zappe threw for 257 yards and four scores as Houston Baptist opened Southland Conference play with its third straight win, a 48-21 victory over Northwestern State on Saturday night.

With just two wins in 22 starts over the last two seasons, the Huskies (3-1) have now won three consecutive games for the first time in their six-year history. They were 4-7 in 2016 and opened this season with a 36-34 loss to UTEP.

Ean Beek rushed for 131 yards with a score and Dreshawn Minnieweather totaled 112 yards rushing. Ben Ratzlaff caught five balls for 117 yards and two touchdowns.

The Huskies intercepted three passes. Brennan Young had two and Patrick Wolfe grabbed the third.

HBU sprinted to a 24-0 lead at the break and increased that to 31-0 early in the third before Northwestern State got on the board.

Zappe hit Coleman Robinson on a 2-yard TD pass with 9:57 remaining in the game to close out the scoring.

Shelton Eppler threw for 287 yards and two touchdowns for Northwestern State (0-4).