Bulldogs run past Rainbow Warriors
Louisiana Tech dominates second half to win Hawaii Bowl 31-14
By KALANI TAKASE
The Associated Press
HONOLULU — J’Mar Smith threw a touchdown pass and ran for another score in a big third quarter to lead Louisiana Tech to a 31-14 win over the University of Hawaii football team in the SoFi Hawaii Bowl on Saturday night at Aloha Stadium.
The Bulldogs (8-5) rallied from a 7-3 halftime deficit to secure their fifth bowl victory in as many seasons, a program first.
Smith threw for 285 yards on 19-of-31 passing with an interception. He tossed a 58-yard touchdown pass to Jaqwis Dancy and scored on a 4-yard run that was part of a 21-point third quarter.
Louisiana Tech took the lead for good on Israel Tucker’s 5-yard TD run with 10:27 left in the third.
Bulldogs defensive end Jaylon Ferguson became the NCAA’s career sacks leader when he dropped Hawaii quarterback Chevan Cordeiro for a 2-yard loss late in the third. Ferguson’s 45 sacks broke the previous mark set by Arizona State’s Terrell Suggs.
Hawaii played without wide receiver John Ursua, who leads the nation with 16 touchdown catches. Ursua, sidelined with an undisclosed injury, was ruled out just minutes before the start of the game.
The Bulldogs had a Hawaii Bowl-record nine sacks, four by Willie Baker. Amik Robertson had two of their three interceptions.
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COLLEGE FOOTBALL
All times HST
Saturday’s Results
Birmingham (Ala.) Bowl
Wake Forest 37, Memphis 34
Armed Forces Bowl • At Fort Worth
Army 70, Houston 14
Dollar General Bowl • At Mobile, Ala.
Troy 42, Buffalo 32
SoFi Hawaii Bowl • At Honolulu
Louisiana Tech 31, Hawaii 14
Wednesday’s Games
SERVPRO First Responder Bowl At Dallas
Boston College (7-5) vs. Boise St. (10-3), 8:30 a.m. (ESPN)
Quick Lane Bowl • At Detroit
Minnesota (6-6) vs. Georgia Tech (7-5), 12:15 p.m. (ESPN)
Cheez-It Bowl • At Phoenix
California (7-5) vs. TCU (6-6), 4 p.m. (ESPN)