Ryan Coe would connect from 28 yards out to make this a 3-3 game to start the second quarter after Tulane would strike early after connecting on an early 34-yard field goal to take an early lead which they never looked back from.
Tulane would open this one up early after Tyjae Spears would take the direct snap from 11 yards out to give the Green Wave an early 10-3 lead with five minutes remaining in the first half. The Bearcats depth up front was tested early as Dontay Corleone and Dominique Perry were unavailable as Tulane was looking to establish the run game early and wear down the Bearcats defense.
All the momentum was favoring the Green Wave heading into the break after a 47 yard field goal gave them a 13-10 lead heading to the break. The Green Wave would look to capitalize off the last field goal as they were set to receive the second half kickoff after they won the toss to start the game and elected to the second half.
The Bearcats would get a huge stop to start the second half, but would cough it up as Prater’s pass intended for tight end Lenny Taylor was intercepted by senior linebacker Dorian Williams that would give the Green Wave great field position inside Bearcats territory. The Green Wave would eventually respond with a 1-yard touchdown run by Tyjae Spears to give the Green Wave a huge 20-10 lead over the Bearcats. Tulane was able to get a fresh set of downs after a pass interference call in the endzone set them up at the one as Spears continued to dominate the point of attack.
The Bearcats trailed 20-10 heading into the second half but saw a huge momentum shift as they scored 14 unanswered points behind a pair of touchdowns from senior running back Ryan Montgomery. The Bearcats would march down the field after a huge 29-yard gain where Prater connected with Will Pauling on the sideline for a miraculous toe dragging catch. The Bearcats would take their first lead of game 6:30 remaining where they led Tulane 24-20 following a 15-yard touchdown run by Ryan Montgomery, his second of the day.
Montgomery’s first touchdown of the day would cap off a huge 14 play drive resulting in 75 yards following an eight-yard touchdown run to cut the Green Waves deficit to three. Something the Bearcats weren’t familiar in doing was playing from behind, but this drive was crucial for Evan Prater and the Bearcats, and it flipped the script heading into the fourth quarter.
The Bearcats would tie this one up at 10 following a 35 yard run from Charles McClelland who would slip a tackle on the outside and find the endzone for the Bearcats first touchdown of the day. The Bearcats were looking to establish the run game early and they did just that as Prater’s ability to be a dual threat quarterback really opened things up for the Bearcats run game.
Tulane would take the lead late in the fourth quarter following two big plays as Micheal Pratt would connect with Shae Wyatt for a 39 yard catch to get the Green Wave into Bearcats territory. That would eventually set up a 30 yard touchdown reception for Deuce Watts to give the Green Wave a 27-24 lead with five minutes remaining.
However, the Bearcats miraculous 32 game home winning streak comes to an end and the Bearcats hopes of making the AAC Championship game got smaller. However, you have to be proud of what this team was able to accomplish this season and all the adversity they had to face with losing key pieces like Malik Vann, Ben Bryant due to injuries.
Notables
Ryan Montgomery– Finished with 17 carries, 95 yards and two touchdowns.
Evan Prater– Finished the day 10-of-26 for 102 yards and an interception. Prater also rushed for 88 yards on 18 carries.
Ivan Pace- Pace led the team with 13 tackles and 0.5 tackles for loss.
Jaheim Thomas- Thomas finished with a career high 11 tackles.
The Bearcats are not sure what is next for them, as there is still hope they could play in the AAC Championship Game with the help of USF, but until then they will have to sit back and wait as they will soon know their fate of their bowl game destination if UCF defeats USF tomorrow, which will officially knock the Bearcats out of the contention for their third straight AAC Championship.
