Tigers Outrun Mustangs
Memphis continues to climb their way up polls in pursuit of their season goals: be undefeated at home and a Conference Championship. SMU and East Carolina are the only two obstacles that remain in the way of their regular season goal.
The SMU Mustangs are looking to improve to 7-4 after their 40-43 loss to Navy last week. The Tigers aim to improve to 9-1 coming off of a bye week. Briefly in the first quarter it appeared as if SMU might get their redemption. Scoring on their first two drives of the game, the Mustangs possessed a 10-0 lead. The Tigers responded with ten points of heir own. The drive started with 8:45 on the clock. Four plays into the drive Ferguson connects with Anthony Miller for a 48 yard gain. With that completion Anthony Miller tied former Tiger Duke Calhoun for carrer reception with 212. Miller finished the game with eight catches and the new school record (217).
On the same drive Ferguson completes a pass to Damonte Coxie for another 16 yards. Patrick Taylor finally forces his way into the end zone. Riley Patterson completes the scoring drive with extra point, bringing the Tigers within three points (10-7).
The Tigers defense forces a three and out causing the Mustangs to punt. The offenses next drive resulted in a 34 yard Riley Patterson field goal, tying the score at 10-10. The Mustangs are forced to punt on their opening drive of the second quarter. On their first drive of the second quarter, The Tigers take their first lead of the game on a 34 yard pass from Ferguson to Miller. Once the Tigers took the lead they never relinquished it. The defense, led by Josh Perry, held the Mustangs to 3-11 on third down conversions. Perry finished the game with nine tackles; five solo and four assisted.
This isn’t the first time the Tigers have played in rain or rain in the forecast. There was heavy overcast at kickoff , but as the game progressed the clouds appeared to move along. Towards the end of the third quarter a lightning advisory was issued stating that lightning was sighted 15 miles from the stadium. By the fourth quarter lightning had gotten within eight miles of the stadium , forcing the action on the field to come to a halt. Both teams head to the locker room with The Tigers leading the Mustangs 52-38.
Just like the bye week didn’t break the Tigers momentum neither did the weather delay. The Tigers scored two more touchdowns to the Mustangs one.
Riley Ferguson finished the game completing 21 passes on 27 attempts for a total of 320 yards, two touchdowns, and with only one interception. Ferguson also ran the ball six times netting 29 yards and thjree touchdowns. Anthony Miller finished the game with 163 of the Tigers 331 passing yards. Ferguson entered the game tied with Paxton Lynch (59) for career passing touchdowns.
Darrell Henderson (156) and Patrick Taylor (114) combined for 270 of the teams 333 rushing yards. This makes the second time this season that that the duo have each rushed for 100 or more yards in a game.
Patrick Taylor is one rushing touchdown away from being on the top 10 list of rushing toucdowns in one season.
With this victory the Tigers have clinched the American Athletic Conference Western Division Title. On December 2nd they will play for the outright Conference Championship.
The Tigers are back in action at the Liberty Bowl next weekend when they host The Tulane Green Wave. For those interested in attending the game or support the Football Team can CLICK HERE to buy tickets.