TU: Montgomery, Players Talk Miami Beach Bowl Rout Of Central Michigan

Since the beginning of the 2016 season, the Tulsa football team repeatedly played the respect card. On Monday, the team recorded a 45-point Beach Bowl win on a national stage. The victory was a piece to the puzzle they hope to continue.

"I don't know if we've gotten the respect across the country that we deserve,” said Head Coach Philip Montgomery. “These guys understand that, and it ain't about what everybody else thinks; it's about what we think about ourselves in the locker room and how we carry that out on the field."

Wide receiver Josh Atkinson added, "We know that we're fighting for respect, so just to come out here today and do the things that we did today, I feel like it was just icing on the cake."

Related Story: TU Makes History In Bowl Win Over Central Michigan

Now the future will include more dancing after wins, that's a sure bet. It may also include more trophies with the team returning its offensive line, D'Angelo Brewer back in the backfield and young receivers. The defense will have a solid core in secondary and at defensive line, but they'll need leaders at linebacker after Trent Martin leaves and at quarterback as Dane Evans along with many Golden Hurricane will head to pursue a career in the NFL.

"Whoever the QB of the future is here, I hope that I gave them a good platform. And maybe they can watch some of our film and see how I did things, and maybe they can take it to the next level,” said Evans. “I wish them nothing but the best."

Martin said, "My legacy now is in the hands of the freshmen and sophomores and for the juniors to help carry them on. So, I'm excited to watch Tulsa Football from here on out. It has a special place in my heart."

And now with a nice legacy, a lot of coaches returning and a nice core of young players returning, if they find a quarterback, look out for TU in the future.