MIAMI -- Two South Florida-area quarterbacks made a homecoming Monday, and both put up big numbers.

However, Brandon Doughty, in his final collegiate game, came out the winner, leading No. 25 Western Kentucky past South Florida 45-35 in the second annual Miami Beach Bowl at Marlins Park.

Doughty, one of just 16 Football Bowl Subdivision quarterbacks to throw for more than 12,000 career yards and 100 touchdowns, completed 32 of 45 passes for 461 yards. He threw TD passes of 69 and 55 yards to wide receiver Nicholas Norris. He also threw a 26-yard scoring pass to wide receiver Jared Dangerfield.

South Florida coach Willie Taggart, a former Western Kentucky quarterback and head coach, recruited Doughty to the Hilltoppers and coached him before bolting to run the Bulls program.

"Brandon is a great quarterback," Taggart said of Doughty, who played at North Broward Prep in the Fort Lauderdale, Fla., area. "Not only did he do it against us, he did it against everybody.

"We knew when he came in as a freshman that he had something to him. Brandon is the ultimate competitor -- the rock of their football team."

Taggart also recruited quarterback Quinton Flowers, who led South Florida on Monday. Flowers completed 14 of 34 passes for 273 yards and one touchdown and was not intercepted. He also ran 17 times for 109 yards and two scores.

Flowers, who is from Miami's Jackson High, was unhappy with his completion percentage.

"I started off a little bit slow -- I missed a couple of targets," he said. "I put that game on me."

Western Kentucky (12-2) finished its season on a six-game winning streak. The Hilltoppers tied a school record with 12 wins, and they played in a bowl game in consecutive years for the first time in school history.

"It's been a heck of a run," said Doughty, who overcame two interceptions Monday. "It's an emotional game. That's why you love the game."

As for a potential NFL career, Doughty said: "I'm excited about the future."

The Hilltoppers overcame a 14-0 deficit and ended a four-game win streak by South Florida (8-5), which played its first bowl game since 2010.

Bulls wide receiver Rodney Adams scored twice -- on a 34-yard end around and a 53-yard catch. He finished with 175 yards from scrimmage, including six catches for 130 yards.

The Bulls also got a solid game from running back Marlon Mack, who had 16 rushes for 107 yards.

However, South Florida kicker Emilio Nadelman, who played locally at Miami Central High and had made nine straight field goals entering the game, missed a 43-yard field goal in the third quarter. He also missed a 53-yarder with 5:58 left in the fourth that would have tied the score 38-38.

Because of Doughty's big-strike ability, Western Kentucky had six drives that took less than 70 seconds, including one that lasted just six seconds.

The Bulls also struck quickly with a two-play, 12-second drive -- the payoff being Flowers' 53-yard pass to Adams.

The Hilltoppers got 105 yards and two touchdowns from junior running back Anthony Wales.

Wales, who rushed 14 times, scored on a 13-yard run in the second quarter, letting go of the ball just as he reached the right pylon. However, the call stood after a video review.

Western Kentucky tied a season high with a 28-point third quarter, building a 38-21 lead.

South Florida battled back and closed the deficit to 38-35. That was when Western Kentucky put the game away on Wales' 42-yard touchdown run -- he again hit the right pylon on the same side of the field -- with 5:02 left in the fourth quarter.

"It was a great way to finish our season," Western Kentucky coach Jeff Brohm said. "We knew (the Bulls) were going to be a tough opponent -- they're very athletic, very talented, and their quarterback is tough to stop.

"This was a great victory."

NOTES: The coin toss was administered by former Miami Hurricanes coach Howard Schnellenberger. Marlins Park was built on the site where the Orange Bowl used to stand, and that was the stadium where Schnellenberger led the Hurricanes to their first national title (1983). ... Hilltoppers WR Taywan Taylor, who entered the bowl season ranking second in the FBS with 17 touchdown catches and fourth in reception yards (1,363 yards), did not score but had another big game. He caught eight passes for 114 yards. ... South Florida QB Quinton Flowers finished his season by passing for 2,296 yards and 22 TDs. He also ran for 991 yards and 12 TDs. ... Western Kentucky QB Brandon Doughty, Conference USA's Most Valuable Player, finished his season with 5,055 yards and 48 TDs. .. The attendance was 21,712.