Tulsa tops Central Michigan

MIAMI — Dane Evans and Tulsa put up huge numbers all season, and he did it again at the Miami Beach Bowl.

Evans passed for 304 yards and five touchdowns in his final college game, three of those scoring throws going to Keevan Lucas, and Tulsa rolled past Central Michigan 55-10 on Monday afternoon at Marlins Park.

Evans completed 28 of 38 passes for the Golden Hurricane (10-3), who finished with six wins in the season’s final seven games. It capped a record-setting career for Evans, who became Tulsa’s leader with 84 touchdown throws and — as a big baseball fan — said it was a thrill to play in a big-league park.

“If anyone knows me, they know I don’t go into a game hoping I get 300 and five touchdowns,” said Evans, also the school leader in passing yards. “I just want to win.”

Tulsa’s offense got points on its first eight possessions, plus another touchdown when Jesse Brubaker ran an interception back 66 yards for a score. The Golden Hurricane — who weren’t stopped with Evans on the field — turned it over on downs in their final two drives, the second of those a merciful kneel-down with 1:44 left at the Central Michigan 5.

Tulsa finished the season averaging 42.5 points and 527 yards per game. The Golden Hurricane outgained Central Michigan 581-355.

Get ready for offense

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — The scoreboard operator at FAU Stadium during tonight’s Boca Raton Bowl can expect to be kept busy by the high-powered offenses of Western Kentucky and Memphis.

The Hilltoppers (10-3) put together their second consecutive 10-win season and averaged 45 points per game in capturing backto-back Conference USA titles.

The Tigers (8-4) are led by junior quarterback Riley Ferguson, who guided an offense that averaged 39.5 points per game. Ferguson (6-4, 210) racked up 3,326 yards, 28 touchdowns and just nine interceptions, but he will be facing a ball-hawking defense that has Memphis coach Mike Norvell focusing on ball security.