Memphis and Bowling Green, the Tigers’ opponent Saturday, both participated, in their only previous meeting, in a high scoring shootout in the 2004 GMAC Bowl. The Falcons prevailed 52-35, the sixth-highest scoring game in Tiger football history. However, it misses a spot on this list by one point. Here are the top five shootouts.
1. SMU vs. Memphis (2007)
The two American Athletic Conference foes played an offensive game for the ages as Memphis won 55-52 in a triple-overtime thriller at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in November 2007. The Mustangs and Tigers combined for more than 1100 yards of total offense in a game that had seven lead changes and no team led by more than seven points at any point in the game. Former Memphis quarterback Martin Haskins completed 30 of 59 passes for 336 yards and threw four touchdowns. Tiger kicker Matt Reagan’s 32-yard field goal make in the third overtime gave Memphis their seventh win of the 2007 season.
2. Louisville vs. Memphis (2004)
Right in the heart of the DeAngelo Williams’ era, Memphis welcomed No. 14 ranked Louisville to the Liberty Bowl in November 2004, and the fireworks ensued from there. It was one of the rare occasions where an incredible Williams performance didn’t translate into a Tiger victory. The future NFL Pro Bowler ran for 200 yards on 26 carries in the loss, plus the U of M’s all-time leading passer Danny Wimprine threw for 361 yards and four touchdowns. Unfortunately, the Cardinals offense, which had nearly 600 yards of total offense, was too much for Memphis that night as they fell 56-49.
3. BYU vs. Memphis (2015)
By far the most memorable recent game in Tiger football history, because not only were Memphis making their first bowl appearance since 2008 they had just been crowned co-American Athletic Conference Champions weeks before. It was certainly worth the wait for Tiger fans as despite multiple turnovers and blown leads, Memphis quarterback Paxton Lynch threw a key touchdown pass to departing senior Keiwone Malone to tie the game at 45 and send it to overtime. The Tigers ultimately won 55-48 against the BYU Cougars, and were led by Lynch and his seven total touchdowns. As a result, Memphis football completed a 10-win 2014 season, and currently has a nine-game winning streak, fourth longest in the FBS, heading into Saturday’s game against Bowling Green.
4. Memphis vs. East Carolina (2007)
East Carolina gave Memphis quite the beating in their 2007 clash with the 56-40 score line not reflective of how dominant the Pirates were at the Liberty Bowl in their November 2007 clash. Twice, East Carolina held 20-point leads (49-26 and 56-32). The most impressive statistic from the Pirates that night was they rushed for nearly 500 yards in the victory. Hankins threw for 416 yards and four touchdowns for the Tigers.
5. Memphis vs. Louisville (1969)
For the second time in this list the Louisville Cardinals appear. The Tigers’ 69 points scored in their 69-19 demolition of the Cardinals was the third most scored in a single-game. Memphis’ 659 yards of total offense remains the most a Tiger football team has recorded in a single-game.
The Memphis Tigers defeated the BYU Cougars during the Miami Beach Bowl at Marlins Park on Monday, December 22, 2014. Ben Solomon/American Athletic Conference
