Ball State, Rain Can't Stop Tulsa

Tulsa 45, Ball State 13

MOBILE, Ala., Jan. 6 -- Tulsa raced through the rain to another GMAC Bowl win and a couple more records, too.

Tarrion Adams rushed for 207 yards and three touchdowns in a 45-13 victory over No. 23 Ball State on a soggy Tuesday night. The Golden Hurricane (11-3) finished with a school-record 11 victories.

Adams passed Michael Gunter to become Tulsa's career rushing leader. Tulsa had 439 yards rushing and 632 overall -- hardly slowing down despite rain that first formed puddles and then covered nearly the entire field during a second-half deluge.

David Johnson passed for 193 yards, most of that to freshman Damaris Johnson, and three touchdowns. Tulsa place kicker Jarod Tracy became the school's career scoring leader.

Tulsa's 63-7 win over Bowling Green in last year's GMAC was the most lopsided bowl game in NCAA history. This was another runaway thanks to the nation's No. 2 offense and an opportunistic defense. Ball State (12-2) lost its second straight game and fell to 0-5 in bowl games after setting a school record for wins in a season.

Damaris Johnson supplied many of the big plays for Tulsa's no-huddle offense and had 274 all-purpose yards. He had 135 yards receiving, 76 yards rushing -- including a tackle-breaking 62-yarder in the fourth quarter -- and returned three kicks for 63 yards.

Adams needed just 19 carries to get his 207 yards, including a season-long, 56-yard touchdown scamper. Three of his teammates rushed for at least 58 yards as well.

The Cardinals had given up just 142 yards a game on the ground and 348 total.

It was a rough debut for Ball State Coach Stan Parrish, a 62-year-old promoted from offensive coordinator on Dec. 18 after Brady Hoke left to take over the San Diego State program.

Most of the second half was played in a driving rain, making a comeback attempt by quarterback Nate Davis and Ball State even more difficult.

It might have been the final college game for Davis, who has indicated he is considering skipping his senior season to enter the NFL draft. He was 9 for 29 passing for 145 yards and lost two fumbles and an interception in the first half.

With that help, Tulsa built a 24-13 halftime lead, with all three touchdowns on plays of at least 30 yards. Ball State hadn't trailed going into the locker room this season.

Tulsa marched 87 yards on the opening drive of the second half, capping it with David Johnson's 15-yard touchdown pass to Slick Shelley. Ball State went three and out on all three possessions of the third quarter.

MiQuale Lewis, who gained more than 1,700 yards for the Cardinals this season, was limited to 35 on 16 carries.