MONTGOMERY, Ala .: Brady White had 284 yards and three touchdowns to lead Memphis to a 25-10 win over Florida Atlantic on Wednesday night at the Montgomery Bowl.
The Tigers (8-3) took a big halftime lead, held off a rally in the third quarter and ended coach Ryan Silverfields’ first season with a second straight win. They also broke a five-game losing streak.
Willie Taggarts’ debut season with Florida Atlantic ended at 5-4 after the offense spat 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. It ended in pouring rain.
White, who was named the game’s MVP, completed 22 of 34 passes with three short TDs while throwing an interception, having a big game even with a quiet night from star wide 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 touchdown. Austin had 28 yards on three catches, with one touchdown.
Auburn transfer Asa Martin ran 96 yards on 15 carries for Memphis.
Nick Tronti completed 16 of 32 passes for 146 yards with one touchdown and one interception for Florida Atlantic. Charles James ran for 82 yards.
NEW ORLEANS BOWL
GEORGIE SOUTHERN 38, LOUISIANA TECH 3
NEW ORLEANS: Shai Werts had three touchdown passes and threw a 65-yard pass to help Georgia Southern beat Louisiana Tech in the New Orleans Bowl.
Werts, who missed the Eagles in the last two games of the regular season with a shoulder injury, scored one of his touchdowns on a designed QB run that covered 37 yards. His other two quick touchdowns came from a yard.
Georgia Southern (8-5) made four interceptions including two near her own goal line in the first quarter. Safety Justin Birdsong intercepted two assists, the first against Louisiana Tech starter Aaron Allen and the second against reserve JD Head in the third quarter.
Malik Murry interrupted a 43-yard run in the first run of games to prepare for Werts’ first TD short run. Gerald Green added a 55-yard rush in the fourth quarter to give him 108 yards and a rushing touchdown for the game. Werts finished with 71 rushing yards.
The Bulldogs (5-5) were trying to win a bowl for the seventh straight season, but couldn’t overcome three interceptions thrown by Allen inside the Georgia Southern 30 in the first half.
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