The University of Memphis Tigers beat Southern Methodist University Saturday 66-54, setting the record for most points scored in a University of Memphis game. The Tigers have now clinched the AAC west and will play UCF or USF on December 2 in the AAC championship.
Riley Ferguson led the offense with 320 passing yards, two passing touchdown and three rushing touchdowns. Darrell Henderson and Patrick Taylor both ran for more than 100 yards and two scores. Anthony Miller caught eight passes for 163 yards and two scores.
SMU was able to score on their first drive of the game. The Tiger defense stopped SMU on third down, but a holding call on TJ Carter gave the Mustangs a first down that allowed SMU to score later in the drive.
Ben Hicks hit Courtland Sutton for a 35-yard score and Kevin Robledo hit the extra point for the 7-0 lead.
The Tiger’s turned the ball over on their first possession when Riley Ferguson threw an interception to Jordan Wyatt. The Tiger defense stopped the Mustangs in the red zone and forced a field goal to limit SMU’s lead to 10-0.
A pass form Riley Ferguson to Anthony Miller went for a 47-yard pass and set the Tigers up at the 12-yard line. Six plays later, Patrick Taylor punched the ball in from the one. Riley Patterson hit the extra point to cut the score to 10-7.
After the defense forced a punt, Memphis completed three passes of 11, 17 and 21 yard to set up a Patterson field goal that tied the game.
The Tigers took the 17-10 lead on their second possession with a 68-yard drive in the second quarter. Ferguson hit Miller for the 34-yard scored and Patterson converted the PAT.
The Tiger defense stopped SMU and the Tiger offense kept rolling. On the first play, Ferguson handed the ball to Darrell Henderson, who ran 70 yards. The Tigers extended their lead to 24-10 with Patterson’s extra point.
The teams traded punts before SMU’s offense went 93 yards on seven plays. Xavier Jones ended the drive with a 12-yard rushing touchdown, and Robledo made the score 24-17 with the PAT.
Memphis responded when Taylor had four straight carries for 46 yards that ended in a nine-yard score. The Tigers extended their lead to 31-17 with Patterson’s PAT.
However, SMU was able to keep it a one possession game. Trey Quinn caught Ben Hicks’ pass that capped off a 77-yard drive. The Mustangs closed the half at 31-24 with Robledo’s extra point.
Memphis opened the half with a 75-yard drive that resulted in a rushing touchdown from Ferguson. The Tigers extended their lead to 38-24 with Patterson’s extra point.
SMU drove into Tiger territory on the next drive and Bryce Huff was called for unnecessary roughness on a sack. Mike Norvell was then received an unsportsmanlike roughness penalty after the play.
That took SMU Tigers 17 yard-line, and Ben Hicks passed to Raymond Epps for a touchdown. The Mustangs brought to lead back to seven with the PAT.
Memphis responded with a touchdown of their own when Ferguson rushed for his second touchdown. Patterson put Memphis up 45-31.
Jones ran for a 58-yard gain to put the Mustangs at the Memphis 12. He ran for a touchdown a few plays later to make it a one-possession game again. Bobledo made the PAT.
Henderson had a 64-yard kickoff return to SMU’s 33 to set the Tiger up with solid field position. Ferguson connected with Miller again to give the Tigers a two-possession lead with 14:36 left in the game. Patterson hit the extra point, and the Tigers led 52-38.
After SMU completed two plays for no gain, a lightning delay suspended play with 13:51 left.
On the first play back from the delay for the Memphis offense, Henderson rushed to the end zone for 52 yards. Patterson made the extra point to extend the lead to 59-38.
D.J. Gillins fumbled on SMU ensuing drive, and the Tigers recovered the ball at their own 18. Ferguson ran to score the seventh rushing touchdown of the day, his third, tying the most rushing touchdowns in a game for the Tigers. Patterson extended Memphis’ lead to 66-38.
SMU scored on their final drive on a pass from Hicks to Quinn. Robledo brought the score to 66-45, but the Tigers ran the clock out on their next possession.
The Tigers will play ECU Saturday at 11 a.m. at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium for their final regular season game. They will play in the AAC Championship Game December 2 at 11 a.m. at a location to be determined.
Anthony Miller runs with the ball after a reception. Miller finished the game with 163 yards and two touchdowns.
