Pirate Galaxy » day will be ripe for expansion but isntt being

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The scoreboard operator at FAU Stadium during Tuesday nights Boca Raton Bowl can expect to be kept busy by the high-powered offenses of Western Kentucky and Memphis.The Hilltoppers (10-3) put together their second consecutive 10-win season and averaged 45 points per game in capturing back-to-back Conference USA titles. Even though they will be taking the field without the head coach who built their offensive juggernaut in Jeff Brohm, who left for the same position at Purdue earlier this month, this group doesnt plan to take its foot off the gas pedal.I think theyre going to be one of the more athletic defenses weve faced so were going to have to be able to use our athletes against their athletes and thats really what its going to come down to, said Western Kentuckys senior quarterback Mike White, who transferred from the University South Florida and sat out all of the 2015 season. It starts up front of our big boys. I know theyre going to go out there and take care of business like theyve done all year.Senior wide receiver Taywan Taylor (6-foot-1, 195 pounds) has been the biggest playmaker for White and the Hilltoppers, piling up 1,586 receiving yards and 16 touchdown receptions to rank No. 2 in the nation.The Tigers (8-4) are led by junior quarterback Riley Ferguson, who guided an offense that averaged 39.5 points per game. Ferguson (6-4, 210) racked up 3,326 yards, 28 touchdowns and just nine interceptions but he will be facing a ball-hawking defense that has Memphis coach Mike Norvell focusing on ball security.We know these are two explosive football teams and both defenses love to attack, Norvell said. We want to create takeaways. Thats something that weve been able to do a great job of this year, I think were top five in the nation in forcing turnovers, and thats something thats going to be key in this game. When you do play an explosive offense we cant give them any extra possessions.If we can get them off the field we have to capitalize on every opportunity.---Some things to know about the Boca Raton Bowl:TROPICAL AUDITION? Hilltoppers interim head coach Nick Holt will only be wearing the interim tag for this game, as Western Kentucky hired Notre Dame offensive coordinator Mike Sanford last week to replace Brohm. Sanford actually will be in attendance at the game but the players are prepared to play hard for Holt, while he hopes to make a strong case to another college football program that he is ready to be a head coach.READY-MADE TOUR GUIDES: White and cornerback DeAndre Simmons are among nine Hilltoppers and three Tigers from South Florida, so their surroundings this week from the team hotel to the practice facilities and the drive to other events were very familiar. White has enjoyed playing tour guide to his teammates and reminding them why they chose to play this bowl -- the weather. Being from Florida I know what its like, but some of these kids from Kentucky walked off the plane and were kind of amazed, White said. Its going to be perfect conditions, best on best, and were excited.DONT FORGET ABOUT DEFENSE: Memphis junior cornerback Arthur Maulet shared the same sentiment as Western Kentucky junior defensive lineman Derik Overstreet when it came to the attention -- or lack thereof -- being paid to the defensive side of the ball. The Tigers ended the season with a +10 turnover ratio and Maulet came up with two interceptions, two forced fumbles and 1.5 sacks to go along with 61 tackles (48 solo).WATCH THESE GUYS: Hilltoppers senior running back Anthony Wales (5-10, 195) and Tigers junior wide receiver Anthony Miller (5-11, 190) are two offensive threats that opposing defensive staffs cannot allow to slip free. Wales racked up 1,376 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns on 202 carries. Miller led Memphis with 84 receptions for 1,283 yards and 11 touchdowns.SECOND HOME FOR WKU: Western Kentucky has come to enjoy coming to South Florida, whether its to play conference rival FAU on the same field as the Boca Raton Bowl or leaving Miami last year victorious in the Miami Beach Bowl over USF, 45-35. The Hilltoppers routed the Owls at the stadium Howard Schnellenberger built, 52-3, on Oct. 29. Meanwhile, this will be Memphis first visit to FAU Stadium.---More AP college football: www.collegefootball.ap.orgMark Bavaro Youth Jersey . Colin Wilson had two goals and an assist, and Mike Fisher scored a goal and helped set up two others in the Predators 6-4 victory over the Red Wings on Monday night. Michael Strahan Youth Jersey . Toronto has dropped games to Indiana and Miami since a five-game winning streak and closed out a three-game road trip at 1-2. http://www.giantsrookiestore.com/Giants-Phil-Simms-Jersey/ . The Masters champion and winner of last weeks Australian PGA has a three-round total of 14-under 199 at Royal Melbourne. "Im in a really good position for tomorrow," Scott said. Darius Slayton Giants Jersey . You can watch the game live on TSN at 7:30pm et/4:30pm pt. The Flyers had won seven of eight before dropping their last two outings on consecutive days over the weekend. Philadelphia was handed a 6-3 loss by the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday afternoon before dropping a 4-1 decision to the Rangers the following night in New York City. Phil McConkey Jersey . Self was acquired from the Buffalo Bandits in a trade for Alex Hill midway through last season, and made his debut in Rochester on March 16, 2013.Just 48 hours after announcing their availability, Mississippi State?sold out eight newly built cabanas on the terrace inside its football stadium at $18,000 apiece.The cabanas, located on the northwest corner of the Davis Wade Stadium, include 12 tickets for fans to sit on chairs and watch the game on television inside the covered space while enjoying the roar of the crowd. The premium offering also includes food inside the stadiums premium Scoreboard Club area that was built two years ago.We have no problem selling out our premium spaces, said Mississippi State athletic director Scott Stricklin. The biggest challenge is selling our cheaper tickets.Stricklin said the cabanas allow the school to use a space in the stadium that one day will be ripe for expansion but isntt being fully utilized today.ddddddddddddIt also allows us to bring the tailgating atmosphere, which is very popular in our conference, inside the stadium, he said.Stricklin said hes happy that the price was right so quickly even though it might suggest that the school priced the property too cheaply.I would rather have it sold out than have a couple of them sitting there, Stricklin said, adding that its possible that three or four more cabanas will be offered at some point.The Jacksonville Jaguars were the first team to add cabanas to a football stadium. The team sells those spaces on a per-game basis for a rate that starts at $14,000 each. ' ' '