Akron cornerback Davanzo Tate, left, breaks up a pass intended for Memphis wide receiver Ryan Scott during the Motor City Bowl in Detroit. Memphis won Monday's game, 38-31.

Detroit ? DeAngelo Williams lived up to the hype.

Williams set an NCAA record with his 34th 100-yard rushing game and scored three touchdowns, leading Memphis to a 38-31 victory over Akron in the Motor City Bowl on Monday.

Williams ran for 233 yards on 30 carries and finished his career with 6,021 yards rushing – trailing only Ron Dayne, Ricky Williams and Tony Dorsett in Division I-A history – and an NCAA-record 7,568 all-purpose yards.

“I’m really not a statistical guy, but when you mention those guys, it’s huge,” Williams said.

The Tigers (7-5) took a 21-point lead with 3:09 left, but needed to recover an onside kick with 55 seconds left to seal the win after Luke Getsy threw his fourth touchdown pass to cut the lead to seven points.

Memphis linebacker Tim Goodwell (41) and tight end John Doucette celebrate their 38-31 victory over Akron in the Motor City Bowl. Memphis won Monday at Ford Field in Detroit.

“I didn’t want to be the only coach in the country to get a Gatorade bath – then lose the game,” Memphis coach Tommy West said. “I give them credit. Akron has been doing that all year, that’s why they won their championship.”

Akron (7-6) made a good showing in its first Division I-A bowl game after scoring 21 fourth-quarter points to beat Northern Illinois in the Mid-American Conference championship game.

“This became an awakening around the campus and the town,” Zips coach J.D Brookhart said. “To come out and see that wave of blue and gold on the sideline was awesome.”

Getsy was 34-for-59 for a Motor City Bowl-record 455 yards.