Boca Bowl should produce fireworks
Nation’s No. 2 and No. 17 scoring offenses to face off.
BOCA RATON — The third annual Boc a Raton Bowl has all the earmarks of a triple-digit scoring affair.
On one side, you have the high-powered Conference USA champion Western Kentucky Hilltoppers. On the other, the equally offensive-minded Memphis Tigers from the American Athletic Conference.
Both coaches, Memphis’ M i k e N o r v e l l a n d WK U interim head coach Nick Holt, emphasized that the offenses that will be on display on Dec. 20 at FAU Stadium during their press conference Wednesday at the AV Rental Depot.
Western Kentucky (103) notched its seventh win in a row, 58-44, over rival Louisiana Tech for a second straight C-USA title. The Hilltoppers, 22-5 over the past two seasons, will be making in their third consecutive bowl appearance. The offense, led by Fort Lauderdale’s Mike White at quarterback and senior wide receiver Taywan Taylor (89 receptions, 1,586 yards, 16 TDs) is ranked second in the country in scoring (45.1 points per game).
Memphis (8-4), ranked 17th in scoring offense (39.5 points per game) finished its season with a 48-44 upset over 18th-ranked Houston. The Tigers are led by junior QB Riley Ferguson, who compiled a dazzling 152.2 passer rating (28 TDs, 3,326 yards).
B e s i d e s t h e p o t e n t offenses, another story has emerged as Holt, the Hilltoppers’ defensive coordinator and associate head coach, was named interim head coach after Jeff Brohm was hired as Purdue’s new football coach.
“Brohm just got an offer he could not turn down,” WKU Athletic Director Todd Stewart said. “When you have an opportunity in the Big Ten with that kind of money, it’s a great move for him and his family.
“The person we will hire will be someone to keep this train rolling.”
Holt is actively lobbying for the job.
“I’ve been here longer than anybody,” Holt said when he was first promoted. “There’s nobody that’s won as many conference championships in all conferences, big or small, than me – the guy you’re looking at right now.”
O n We d n e s d a y, H o l t focused on the upcoming bowl game, but he said he also was pleased to be back in Boca Raton for the second time this fall. Western Kentucky defeated Florida Atlantic, 52-3, on Oct. 29.
It won’t be as easy against Memphis.
“I m a defensive guy, but our offense i s ext remely potent with a great offensive line,” Holt said. “We’re an attacking defense that likes to go after people. We try to be fun to watch.”
Holt remains thankful for this chance to prove he can handle the job.
“It’s a great opportunity I have been given. I am very fortunate to represent the Hilltopper family,” he said. “Quite honesty, it’s not about me, it’s about our kids. It’s status quo for us and we’ll see how it goes.
“Fo r t u n a t e l y, I h ave a really good staff and trust in them. I’ll let our guys do their job. I will have to make game-time decisions, but we’re aggressive. We’re not going to change.”