The Memphis Tigers steam rolled through the East Carolina University Pirates 70-13. With the win, Memphis finished the season undefeated inside Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium and went 10-1 overall.
Offense led the way in the win, but the Tigers’ defense may have played their best game of the season. The defense allowed a season-best 13 points and forced three turnovers, one interception returned for a score.
The rushing attack worked all game for the Tigers. Patrick Taylor Jr. and Darrell Henderson rushed for more than 120 yards and had two scored each. Both player also had a touchdown of more than 30 yards.
Riley Ferguson threw a season-low 13 passes, but he was efficient with nine completions for 299 yards and three touchdowns. All of Ferguson’s touchdown passes were from more than 45 yards out. Anthony Miller led the receivers with three grabs for 144 yards and a score.
The Memphis seniors were honored before the game, and they got off to a hot start. Miller took a short pass 89 yards for a touchdown on the first play from scrimmage by the Memphis offense.
After a Henderson touchdown, Jonathan Cook returned an interception 32-yards for a touchdown to put Memphis up 21-0. Seniors Phil Mayhue and Doroland Dorceus added the next two touchdowns to go up 35-0.
Taylor and Henderson capped off the first half with touchdown runs to give Memphis a 49-0 lead.
Damonte Coxie beat the defense over the top and caught a 61-yard touchdown pass from Ferguson to start the scoring in the second half. Riley Patterson made the extra point to put Memphis up 56-0.
The teams traded two scores each to end the game at 70-13. Jimmy Williams and Steve Baggett caught scoring passes from Gardner Minshew of 33 and five yards. Memphis’ John Tate blocked the first extra point attempt by Jake Verity.
Tony Pollard responded to their first score with a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Then Taylor rushed for his second score from 60-yards out.
Phil Mayhue runs in for a touchdown against ECU. Mayhue finished the game with two catches for 49 yards and a score.
Jonathan Cook jogs into the end zone after intercepting a pass. Cook had two pass breakups, an interception and a tackle for a loss in the win.
Riley Ferguson throws a pass. He completed nine passes for 299 yards and three touchdowns in the game.
