College Sports

Strong, Lee, Taua pace Nevada in Potato Bowl win over Tulane

Posted December 22, 2020 6:00 am

By JASON CHATRAW

Nevada defensive back EJ Muhammad (4) reaches for the ball after it was tipped in to the air on a pass by Tulane during the first half of the Idaho Potato Bowl NCAA college football game, Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020, in Boise, Idaho. Nevada intercepted the ball on the play. (AP Photo/Steve Conner) The Associated Press

BOISE, Idaho (AP) - Carson Strong threw for 271 yards and five touchdowns, Devonte Lee and Toa Taua each rushed for over 100 yards, and Nevada beat Tulane 38-27 in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl on Tuesday.

Nevada (7-2) finished 2020 the same way it started the year - by playing in the same bowl game, which the Wolfpack lost 30-21 to Ohio on Jan. 3.

This year's Potato Bowl allowed Nevada to end with a win after losing its regular-season finale to San Jose State, which cost the Wolfpack a spot in the Mountain West title game.

Cameron Carroll rushed for 120 yards and a touchdown for Tulane (6-6), which was one of 19 schools to play 11 regular-season games amid the coronavirus pandemic. The Green Wave failed in their bid to win three consecutive bowl games for the first time in program history.

Nevada built a 19-0 lead early in the second quarter, but the Green Wave rallied, pulling within within 26-20 midway through the third quarter.

Then Nevada's dominant ground game took over, imposing its will on a Tulane defensive line thinned by injuries and absences.

Lee rushed for 105 yards and Toa had 102 yards rushing with a touchdown to go along with 77 yards receiving.

THE TAKEAWAY

Tulane should be a team to contend with in the American Athletic Conference next season, especially with quarterback Michael Pratt returning. Pratt, who was the first Tulane freshman to win a game as a starter since 1985, also brings back most of his receivers.

Coach Jay Norvell has Nevada headed in the right direction, and Strong will be back next year along with leading rushers Lee and Toa. Nevada will need to find some answers on a defense that will be hit hard with graduation.

UP NEXT

Tulane hosts Oklahoma to open next season on Sept. 4.

Nevada plays at California on Sept. 4.

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More AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25

Nevada tight end Cole Turner (19) keeps his eyes on the ball for a pass reception against Tulane during the first half of the Idaho Potato Bowl NCAA college football game, Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020, in Boise, Idaho. (AP Photo/Steve Conner) The Associated Press

Nevada wide receiver Tory Horton (20) juggles the ball on catching as Tulane defensive back Ajani Kerr (21) moves in for the tackle during the first half of the Idaho Potato Bowl NCAA college football game, Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020, in Boise, Idaho. (AP Photo/Steve Conner) The Associated Press

Tulane wide receiver Jha'Quan Jackson (4) drags Nevada defensive back Christian Swint (38) into the end zone for a touchdown during the first half of the Idaho Potato Bowl NCAA college football game, Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020, in Boise, Idaho. (AP Photo/Steve Conner) The Associated Press

Tulane quarterback Michael Pratt (7) looks to throw a pass against Nevada during the first half of the Idaho Potato Bowl NCAA college football game, Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020, in Boise, Idaho. (AP Photo/Steve Conner) The Associated Press

Nevada linebacker Lamin Touray (10) turns up field after intercepting a Tulane pass during the first half of the Idaho Potato Bowl NCAA college football game, Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020, in Boise, Idaho. (AP Photo/Steve Conner) The Associated Press

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