Written By: Merrissa Vault
Boca Raton, FL— It was 75 degrees and sunny in Boca Raton, FL at FAU Stadium as Conference USA champions, the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers and American Athletic Conference champions, the Memphis Tigers went head to head in the 2016 Boca Bowl. Two top-10 nationally ranked offenses collided, but WKU’s offense prevailed as the victor led by Anthony Wales who had a career night.
The Memphis offense kicked off the game. Within two minutes the Tigers went 65 yards in 5 plays. Quarterback, Riley Ferguson found Tony Pollard in the end zone to put the Tigers on the board first. Western Kentucky’s offense followed close behind. The Hilltoppers found the goal line shortly after with a 75-yard drive to their end zone; quarterback, Mike White found Stevie Donatell for a 4-yard touchdown pass. Kicker, Skyler Simcox completed the kick to tie the game 7-7. As the Tiger’s offense made their way back onto the field they struggled on 3rd down conversions and had to settle for a 33-yard field goal from Elliot, to make the score 10-7 Memphis. Western Kentucky’s offense did not have the same issue. Offensive linemen, Forrest Lamp rushed for 9 yards into the end zone for his first career touchdown, and WKU ended the first quarter with a lead of 14-10.
Rolling into the second quarter it was the same story, pure offense on both sides. Hilltoppers QB, White found Nicholas Norris for a 37-yard touchdown pass. With a score of 21-10, Memphis went 8 plays for 75 yards to eventually find the end zone and bring the score to 21-17 WKU. WKU continued to pound the Tiger’s defense, and after a long 13- yard drive Anthony Wales rushed for a 2-yard touchdown. The highlight of the half came from Memphis. With 45 seconds left in the game, the Hilltoppers appeared as if they were going to take a knee then Anthony Wales rushed for 53 yards to give WKU the first done. Unfortunately for the Hilltoppers, on the next drive, White was sacked and then on second down threw deep into the end zone, and was intercepted by Memphis Tiger’s Dontrel Nelson. However, the Tigers failed to convert, and the half ended with WKU leading with a score of 28-17.
Going into the second half Western Kentucky continued to dominate the game. Less than 2 minutes into the game White found Taywan Taylor for a 41-yard touchdown pass to increase their lead to 35-17. There wasn’t much action from the Tigers after. Their offense struggled against a solid Hilltopper defense and failed to convert on downs. WKU continued to punish Memphis and Ferguson found Anthony Wales once again for a 3-yard touchdown. Memphis started to show some spark and went for 6 plays to find Anthony Miller for a 10-yard pass to decrease their deficit 41-24. Memphis continued to light their spark and held off the Hilltopper offense on their following drive forcing WKU to go for a 21-yard field goal attempt. The Hilltoppers kick was good and brought their lead to 44-24.
The fourth quarter began uneventfully for both teams. Both offenses could not convert on their opportunities, and both defenses prevented any potential scoring opportunities. Memphis was the first team to break the scoring funk. Ferguson found Anthony Miller once again for a 45-yard touchdown pass. However, it wasn’t enough for Memphis. Due to lazy defensive awareness by Memphis, Western Kentucky drew a penalty on 4th down which allowed for WKU to take advantage at 1st and goal. Anthony Wales, the offensive MVP for the night, was ideally the one to seal the deal for WKU with a rushing touchdown to bring the score to 51-31. After that, Memphis’s fate was sealed.
Memphis battled to stop the Hilltoppers running game but was unsuccessful. Memphis head coach Mike Norvell discussed the challenges they faced with WKU’s offense, “They did an outstanding job. We knew they had some experienced guys. Their running back ran hard, their offensive line we knew would be one of the best we played and they played up to that level tonight.”
It was evident Western Kentucky’s offense was superior tonight. The team set a Boca Bowl offensive record with 598 total yards and running back, Anthony Wales set the rushing record with 262 yards.
Wales performance did not go unnoticed as Western Kentucky Interim head coach Nick Holt talked about how much of an impact he had for the Hilltoppers after the game,“When he runs the ball, it ignites the defense, it inspires us to play harder. I’m so proud of him and his effort every time he falls forward.”
Emotions were high after the game for Western Kentucky as they hoisted their coach on their shoulders and celebrated on the field with friends and family as 2016 Boca Bowl champions.
The Memphis offense kicked off the game. Within two minutes the Tigers went 65 yards in 5 plays. Quarterback, Riley Ferguson found Tony Pollard in the end zone to put the Tigers on the board first. Western Kentucky’s offense followed close behind. The Hilltoppers found the goal line shortly after with a 75-yard drive to their end zone; quarterback, Mike White found Stevie Donatell for a 4-yard touchdown pass. Kicker, Skyler Simcox completed the kick to tie the game 7-7. As the Tiger’s offense made their way back onto the field they struggled on 3rd down conversions and had to settle for a 33-yard field goal from Elliot, to make the score 10-7 Memphis. Western Kentucky’s offense did not have the same issue. Offensive linemen, Forrest Lamp rushed for 9 yards into the end zone for his first career touchdown, and WKU ended the first quarter with a lead of 14-10.
Rolling into the second quarter it was the same story, pure offense on both sides. Hilltoppers QB, White found Nicholas Norris for a 37-yard touchdown pass. With a score of 21-10, Memphis went 8 plays for 75 yards to eventually find the end zone and bring the score to 21-17 WKU. WKU continued to pound the Tiger’s defense, and after a long 13- yard drive Anthony Wales rushed for a 2-yard touchdown. The highlight of the half came from Memphis. With 45 seconds left in the game, the Hilltoppers appeared as if they were going to take a knee then Anthony Wales rushed for 53 yards to give WKU the first done. Unfortunately for the Hilltoppers, on the next drive, White was sacked and then on second down threw deep into the end zone, and was intercepted by Memphis Tiger’s Dontrel Nelson. However, the Tigers failed to convert, and the half ended with WKU leading with a score of 28-17.
Going into the second half Western Kentucky continued to dominate the game. Less than 2 minutes into the game White found Taywan Taylor for a 41-yard touchdown pass to increase their lead to 35-17. There wasn’t much action from the Tigers after. Their offense struggled against a solid Hilltopper defense and failed to convert on downs. WKU continued to punish Memphis and Ferguson found Anthony Wales once again for a 3-yard touchdown. Memphis started to show some spark and went for 6 plays to find Anthony Miller for a 10-yard pass to decrease their deficit 41-24. Memphis continued to light their spark and held off the Hilltopper offense on their following drive forcing WKU to go for a 21-yard field goal attempt. The Hilltoppers kick was good and brought their lead to 44-24.
The fourth quarter began uneventfully for both teams. Both offenses could not convert on their opportunities, and both defenses prevented any potential scoring opportunities. Memphis was the first team to break the scoring funk. Ferguson found Anthony Miller once again for a 45-yard touchdown pass. However, it wasn’t enough for Memphis. Due to lazy defensive awareness by Memphis, Western Kentucky drew a penalty on 4th down which allowed for WKU to take advantage at 1st and goal. Anthony Wales, the offensive MVP for the night, was ideally the one to seal the deal for WKU with a rushing touchdown to bring the score to 51-31. After that, Memphis’s fate was sealed.
Memphis battled to stop the Hilltoppers running game but was unsuccessful. Memphis head coach Mike Norvell discussed the challenges they faced with WKU’s offense, “They did an outstanding job. We knew they had some experienced guys. Their running back ran hard, their offensive line we knew would be one of the best we played and they played up to that level tonight.”
It was evident Western Kentucky’s offense was superior tonight. The team set a Boca Bowl offensive record with 598 total yards and running back, Anthony Wales set the rushing record with 262 yards.
Wales performance did not go unnoticed as Western Kentucky Interim head coach Nick Holt talked about how much of an impact he had for the Hilltoppers after the game,“When he runs the ball, it ignites the defense, it inspires us to play harder. I’m so proud of him and his effort every time he falls forward.”
Emotions were high after the game for Western Kentucky as they hoisted their coach on their shoulders and celebrated on the field with friends and family as 2016 Boca Bowl champions.