No. 23 Tulane beats UTSA to return to AAC title game

Makhi Hughes rushed for a season-high 166 yards and a touchdown and No. 23 Tulane claimed a spot in the American Athletic Conference championship game with a 29-16 victory over UTSA on Friday in New Orleans.

Hughes had his seventh 100-yard game of the season and Michael Pratt threw two touchdown passes to Chris Brazzell II for the Green Wave (11-1, 8-0 AAC), who won their 10th consecutive game.

Tulane, which scored 17 points off five UTSA turnovers, will host the AAC title game Dec. 2 with SMU being the most likely opponent.

Frank Harris completed 25 of 38 passes for 198 yards and a touchdown for the Roadrunners (8-4, 7-1).

Tulane led 23-10 after a scoreless third quarter before Pratt and Brazzell teamed on a 3-yard score with 5:18 remaining.

Harris threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to Oscar Cardenas to complete the scoring with 1:33 left.

On the second play of the game, Bailey Despanie intercepted a tipped pass from Harris, setting the Green Wave up at the Roadrunners' 10-yard line. Three plays later, Pratt threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to Brazzell.

UTSA got the ball when Pratt fumbled while being sacked by Jamal Ligon, and Donyai Taylor recovered and returned to the Tulane 30. Three plays later, Rocko Griffin ran 23 yards for a touchdown and the score was tied at the end of the first quarter.

On the second play of the second quarter, Chase Allen kicked a 40-yard field goal to give the Roadrunners a 10-7 lead.

The Green Wave tied the score on the ensuing possession when Valentino Ambrosio kicked a 47-yard field goal.

Hughes' 58-yard run helped set up Ambrosio's 26-yard field goal that gave Tulane a 13-10 lead.

The Green Wave got the ball back when Eric Hicks Jr. recovered a fumble by Kevorian Barnes at the UTSA 48. That led to Hughes' 2-yard touchdown run and a 20-10 lead.

Tahir Annoor's interception of Cardenas at the Roadrunners' 43 led to Ambrosio's 23-yard field goal, giving Tulane a 23-10 halftime lead.

—Field Level Media