NEW ORLEANS — No. 18 Tulane won its first AAC championship game in program history after defeating No. 22 UCF 45-28 at home on Saturday.
The Green Wave's offense put up explosive numbers, most notably from wide receivers Duece Watts and Shae Wyatt, who combined for eight receptions, 244 receiving yards, and three touchdowns.
Watts scored on a 73-yard receiving touchdown at the beginning of the 4th quarter.
Wyatt scored on a 60-yard receiving touchdown midway through the fourth quarter.
These two touchdown bombs sent the home crowd at Yulman Stadium into a frenzy, who stormed the field after the end of the game.
Running back Tyjae Spears ran for 199 yards on 22 carries for 9 yards per carry and one touchdown.
Quarterback Michael Pratt completed 20 of 33 passing attempts for 394 yards and four touchdowns.
The Green Wave (11-2) avenged its 38-31 loss to the Knights (9-4) from early November. They are set to play in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl against No. 4 USC (11-2), who just lost the Pac-12 championship to No. 11 Utah (10-3).
The Goodyear Cotton Bowl will take place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on January 2, 2023 on ESPN.
