Brady White helps Memphis beat FAU 25-10 in Montgomery Bowl

Posted December 23, 2020 6:00 am

By The Associated Press

Memphis wide receiver Tahj Washington (18) makes a reception against Florida Atlantic cornerback Diashun Moss during the Montgomery Bowl NCAA college football game in Montgomery, Ala., Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2020. (Mickey Welsh/The Montgomery Advertiser via AP) The Associated Press

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - Brady White passed for 284 yards and three touchdowns to lead Memphis to a 25-10 victory over Florida Atlantic on Wednesday night in the Montgomery Bowl.

The Tigers (8-3) built a big halftime lead, withstood a third-quarter rally and ended coach Ryan Silverfield's first season with a second straight win. They also snapped a five-game bowl losing streak.

Willie Taggart's debut season with Florida Atlantic ended at 5-4 after the offense sputtered much of the way.

The game was created to replace the canceled Fenway Bowl. Cramton Bowl will also host the Camellia Bowl on Christmas Day. This one ended in a driving rain.

White, who was named game MVP, completed 22 of34 passes with three short touchdowns while also throwing an interception, having a big game even with a quiet night from star receiver Calvin Austin III. Tahj Washington and Javon Ivory both have big games.

Washington caught eight passes for 105 yards while Ivory gained 126 yards on seven catches with a TD. Austin had 28 yards on three catches, with a TD.

Auburn transfer Asa Martin ran for 96 yards on 15 carries for Memphis.

Nick Tronti completed 16 of 32 passes for 146 yards with a touchdown and an interception for Florida Atlantic. Charles James ran for 82 yards.

NEW ORLEANS BOWL

GEORGIA SOUTHERN 38, LOUISIANA TECH 3

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Shai Werts had three touchdown runs and threw a 65-yard scoring pass to help Georgia Southern beat Louisiana Tech in the New Orleans Bowl.

Werts, who missed the Eagles' last two regular-season games because of a shoulder injury, scored one of his touchdowns on a designed QB run that covered 37 yards. His two other rushing TDs came from a yard out.

Georgia Southern (8-5) came up with four interceptions - including two near its own goal line in the first quarter. Safety Justin Birdsong intercepted two passes - the first against Louisiana Tech starter Aaron Allen and the second against reserve JD Head in the third quarter.

Malik Murry broke off a 43-yard run on the game's opening drive to set up Werts' first short TD run. Gerald Green added a 55-yard run in the fourth quarter to give him 108 yards and one TD rushing for the game. Werts finished with 71 yards rushing.

The Bulldogs (5-5) were trying to win a bowl for the seventh straight season, but could not overcome three interceptions thrown by Allen inside the Georgia Southern 30 in the first half.

Memphis running back Asa Martin (28) tries to run over Florida Atlantic safety Armani-Eli Adams (30) during the Montgomery Bowl NCAA college football game in Montgomery, Ala., Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2020. (Mickey Welsh/The Montgomery Advertiser via AP) The Associated Press

Georgia Southern wide receiver Khaleb Hood (7) celebrates with a guitar after scoring a touchdown against Louisiana Tech during the first half of the New Orleans Bowl NCAA college football game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2020. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton) The Associated Press

Georgia Southern quarterback Shai Werts (1) scores his second touchdown, the team's third, as Louisiana Tech defensive back Zach Hannibal (2) defends during the first half of the New Orleans Bowl NCAA college football game in New Orleans, Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2020. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton) The Associated Press

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