Michael Pratt throws for 3 touchdowns to lead No. 17 Tulane past Florida Atlantic 24-8

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Tulane tight end Chris Carter (11) celebrates with quarterback Michael Pratt (7) after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA football game against Florida Atlantic, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023 in Boca Raton, Fla. (AP Photo/Doug Murray)

BOCA RATON, Fla. ā€“ Michael Pratt became Tulaneā€™s career passing leader, throwing for three touchdowns in his South Florida homecoming to lead No. 17 Tulane to a 24-8 victory over Florida Atlantic on Saturday.

Pratt, who attended high school in Boca Raton and Deerfield Beach, completed 21 of 28 passes for 252 yards to help Tulane (10-1, 7-0, No. 24 CFP) stay atop the American Athletic Conference. Heā€™s now thrown for 9,239 yards for the Green Wave.

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ā€œHeā€™s the greatest quarterback in Tulane history,ā€ coach Willie Fritz said. ā€œHe really is. Weā€™ve had great quarterbacks here. Iā€™m not trying to diminish that. But when you put in his statistics plus the wins that heā€™s got, heā€™s done a tremendous job.ā€

Tulane extended its winning streak to nine games, but recent victories havenā€™t come easily. Saturday marked the first time in five games the Green Wave won by more than one score.

ā€œFor us, after the last few weeks, itā€™s kind of a blowout,ā€ Fritz joked.

Even without injured starting wide receivers JhaQuan Jackson and Lawrence Keys, Pratt easily dissected the FAU (4-7, 3-4) defense.

Pratt and the Green Wave effectively put the game out of reach with his second touchdown connection with Chris Carter on the opening possession of the second half. The 8-yard pass play capped an 11-play, 55-yard drive, giving Tulane a 21-0 lead.

ā€œThatā€™s a hell of a team led by a hell of a man and a hell of a quarterback,ā€ FAU coach Tom Herman said.

Carter, who had three catches for 26 yards, entered Saturday with only six receptions, none for touchdowns.

ā€œI think he did a really good job of creating separation, making great catches and getting in the end zone,ā€ Pratt said.

Prattā€™s 9-yard touchdown passes, the first to Carter and the second to Chris Brazzell, sent Tulane into halftime with a 14-0 lead.

FAUā€™s points came on Daniel Richardsonā€™s 4-yard pass to Khalil Brantley and a two-point conversion.

ā€œIā€™m actually proud of our fight,ā€ Herman said. ā€œI know the scoreboard feels probably like it did the last couple weeks, but we fought our tails off.ā€

THE TAKEAWAY

Tulane: Tulane began the day among four teams still vying for a spot in the AAC championship game. The Green Wave will guarantee themselves a spot if they beat UTSA at home Friday.

Florida Atlantic: FAU won its first two AAC games but hasnā€™t recorded a win in November. This loss ensures that Hermanā€™s first season as coach wonā€™t end with a bowl bid.

POLL IMPLICATIONS

The Green Wave, seeking a second straight New Yearā€™s Six bowl game, could move up in the Top 25.

UP NEXT

Tulane: Host UTSA on Friday.

Florida Atlantic: Visits Rice next Saturday.

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AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football


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