Ohio defeats UAB; Allen, Wyoming roll

Ohio coach Frank Solich knew his Bobcats were better than their record showed. You’ll get no argument from UAB.

Dorian Brown rushed 12 times for 152 yards and four touchdowns, Nathan Rourke threw for two scores, and Ohio beat the Blazers 41-6 in the Bahamas Bowl on Friday in Nassau.

It was a stirring comeback for the Bobcats, who lost their last two games of the regular season to miss a shot at the Mid-American Conference title.

“I feel like eight wins were not enough with this football team, so this ninth win puts a little icing on the cake,” Solich said.

Ohio (9-4) averaged 38.9 points during the season, setting a school record with 467 points, and the Bobcats exhibited that prowess in the opening half, using big plays to build a 27-3 lead.

Brown scored on runs of 74, 9, 25 and 14 yards as he carried the load for injured A.J. Ouellette.

“It was very important” to go out on a high note, Brown said. “I had to step up and take my role.”

Brown’s heroics were too much for the Blazers (8-5), seeking their first bowl victory on just their second try.

UAB President Ray Watts had cut the football program in December 2014 because a university report deemed it too expensive. After a public outcry, football was reinstated, but NCAA rules required the school to skip the 2016 season to help the players who stuck it out readjust to competing at the top level of college football.

The Blazers, under Conference USA Coach of the Year Bill Clark, responded by winning a school-record eight games and finished second in their division.

Wyoming 37, Central Michigan 14: Josh Allen threw three touchdown passes in his final game for Wyoming, and the Cowboys took advantage of Central Michigan’s eight turnovers to cruise in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl in Boise, Idaho.

During the postgame award ceremony, Allen, the game’s MVP, said he would give up his final season of eligibility to enter the NFL draft. Wyoming (8-5) rebounded after losing its last two regular-season games with Allen sidelined by a sprained right shoulder.

Allen was 11 of 19 for 154 yards with no interceptions. He showed off his arm strength on a perfect 45-yard pass that hit receiver C.J. Johnson in stride in the end zone.

Central Michigan (8-5) had won five straight.

Late Thursday

Temple 28, FIU 3: Geoff Collins has lofty expectations for Temple.

“The future is bright,” the first-year coach said after Frank Nutile threw for 254 yards and a touchdown to lead the Owls over Florida International in the Gasparilla Bowl in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Nutile teamed with Isaiah Wright on a 45-yard TD in the fourth quarter. Nutile also scored on a 4-yard run to give the Owls (7-6) an early lead.

FIU (8-5) matched a school record for victories in its first year under Butch Davis, the former Miami, North Carolina and Cleveland Browns coach.

Florida: Former Ohio State receiver Trevon Grimes enrolled at Florida, the Gators announced. He gives new coach Dan Mullen a lanky receiver to help rebuild Florida’s offense.

The 6-foot-4 Grimes had three receptions for 20 yards in two games with the Buckeyes. He will have to sit out the 2018 season under NCAA transfer rules.