Beamer goes out a winner
Virginia Tech nips Tulsa in thriller
SHREVEPORT, La. — Michael Brewer threw for 344 yards, Isaiah Ford had 227 yards receiving and coach Frank Beamer won his final game at Virginia Tech, 55-52 over Tulsa on Saturday night in the Independence Bowl.
The 69-year-old Beamer announced in November he would retire following the season. He finished with a 238-121-2 record at Virginia Tech over 29 seasons.
Virginia Tech (7-6) was playing in a bowl for the 23rd straight season. The first game of that streak also was in the Independence Bowl in 1993, when the Hokies beat Indiana 45-20.
Tulsa (6-7) rallied from a three-touchdown deficit in the second half to pull within 55-52 with 3:47 left. Virginia Tech’s Dadi L’homme Nicolas ended Tulsa’s final drive with a sack of Dane Evans on fourth down.
The 107 points were the most in Independence Bowl history. Ford’s 227 yards receiving on 12 catches set an Independence Bowl record.
FOSTER FARMS BOWL: In Santa Clara, Calif., Tommy Armstrong Jr. threw a touchdown pass and ran for another score to help Nebraska cap a losing season by beating UCLA 37-29.
The Cornhuskers (6-7) scored 30 straight points after falling behind 21-7 early to overpower the Bruins (8-5) and provide a happy ending to coach Mike Riley’s first season.
Stanley Morgan Jr. gave Nebraska the lead for good with a one-handed, 22-yard catch in the third quarter and Imani Cross, Terrell Newby and Andy Janovich all ran for scores for the Cornhuskers, who had a season high with 326 yards rushing.
PINSTRIPE BOWL: In New York, Ross Martin kicked a 36-yard field goal in overtime, and Duke won a bowl game for the first time in 54 years with a 44-41 victory over Indiana at Yankee Stadium.
After Martin made his kick on the first possession of the extra period, the Hoosiers’ Griffin Oakes missed a 38-yard attempt to hand the Blue Devils their first bowl victory since the 1961 Cotton Bowl.
Oakes’ try sailed above the right upright and was ruled wide. Oakes protested that it was good, but the kick could not be reviewed, and Duke’s players poured onto the field to celebrate.
Shaun Wilson had 282 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns for the Blue Devils (8-5), including a 98-yard kickoff return. Quarterback Thomas Sirk accounted for 318 yards and three touchdowns before getting hurt in overtime.
SUN BOWL: In El Paso, Washington State’s defense saved the Cougars in the snow as WSU held off Miami 20-14.
Miami (8-5) lost its sixth consecutive bowl game. The Hurricanes haven’t won a bowl game in nine years, dating to a win over Nevada in the 2006 MPC Computers Bowl.
Washington State (9-4) led 20-7 at the half and looked in total control, limiting Miami to three total first downs over the second and third quarters.
The Hurricanes rallied in a blizzard in the fourth. Braxton Berrios’ 60-yard endaround run out of a wildcat formation set up Mark Walton’ 5-yard scoring run that cut it to 20-14 with 13:10 left.
HEART OF DALLAS BOWL: In Dallas, Myles Gaskin broke a third-quarter tie with an 86-yard run and finished with a season-high 181 yards and four touchdowns to help Washington beat Southern Mississippi 44-31.
ST. PETERSBURG BOWL: In St. Petersburg, Fla., Chase Litton completed 23 for 34 passes for 218 yards and a touchdown in Marshall’s 16-10 victory over Connecticut.