BYU beheads Knights 49-23 in Boca Raton Bowl

The BYU Cougars dominated in all aspects of football, and capped off a terrific 2020 by winning the Boca Raton Bowl 49-23 on Tuesday night on the campus of Florida Atlantic University.

BYU was a 6.5-point favorite at kickoff at DraftKings Sportsbook, and were a lock to cover about midway through the second quarter.

Cougars quarterback Zach Wilson was magnificent, with a 25-33 for 409 yards and three touchdown performance. He added two more rushing touchdowns, and cemented his place as a potential Heisman Trophy candidate in 2021 if he chooses to return to school. BYU (11-1) finishes with their best record since a 14-1 mark as a member of the WAC in 1996.

The Knights offense tends to do things with pace and efficiency, but they were shut down without 2020’s leading receiver Marlon Williams playing. With just 4.7 yards per play, BYU was able to get off the field repeatedly. Though neither team turned the ball over once, it was clear one team wanted to be in Boca, and one just wanted the season over. Central Florida (6-4) does have a young team that returns plenty of talent for 2021 however.

BYU will have a chance to beat a Florida team for the second time in a row as they open the 2021 campaign against the other I-4 school, as they’re scheduled to play the South Florida Bulls on September 24th next year in Provo. The Cougars were 0-8 in program history in the state of Florida entering tonight’s contest.