Montez leads Buffs to win

California coach Justin Wilcox wasn't the only one cringing at Colorado junior safety Nick Fisher's 100-yard return for a touchdown in the closing minutes of the Buffaloes' 44-28 win over the Golden Bears. Buffs coach Mike MacIntyre was, too. When he saw Fisher intercept Ross Bowers' pass 9 yards deep in the north end zone, “I was like, Nick's going to take a knee right?” MacIntyre said. “And then he took off running.”

Fisher hauled in his first career interception, sidestepped two Bears at the goal line and darted down California's dejected sideline, avoiding another tackler at the Bears 30 before breaking free.

“I didn't want to get caught or anything because that would have made it worse,” Fisher said. “Once I brought it out I said aw shoot, I can't go back in. When I was at the 50, I was like well at least if I score maybe Mac won't be so upset.”

He heard about it as soon as he huffed and puffed back to the sideline.

“Almost every coach saidY, e` ah, good play. But you give them the ball right back. Learn from this.’ ” Fisher said.

During a four-game win streak that has given No. 24 Memphis the lead in the American Athletic Conference West Division, the Tigers have averaged 49.5 points and 541.5 yards total offense. Still, there's something missing.

The Tigers are still seeking more from their high-powered offense that has occasionally sputtered.

They got plenty of points Friday night. Memphis overpowered Tulane 56-26 behind a balanced attack that produced 298 passing yards and 259 rushing yards. Quarterback Riley Ferguson passed for three touchdowns and rushed for two others, while running back Darrell Henderson added 112 yards and another score.

“When you score 56 points, it's a good night,” Memphis coach Mike Norvell said. “But we've got to continue to be more consistent in what we're doing.”

The win kept the Tigers (7-1, 4-1) atop the West Division by a half game over SMU, which defeated Tulsa on Friday night. Tulane (3-5, 1-3) dropped its third consecutive game and lost its 11th straight in the series.

The Tigers sputtered in the third quarter, managing only 30 yards and being held scoreless. In its win at Houston last week, Memphis was shut out in the first half before rallying for 42 second-half points.

“That third quarter was terrible,” receiver Anthony Miller said. Memphis