The Memphis Tigers defeated the Charlotte 49ers in a 33-28 homecoming thriller. The Tigers came into this game 6-1, while Charlotte entered the game at 3-4.
Memphis received the ball but could not capitalize on their opening drive, as they were forced into a three and out.
Charlotte then took over and marched down the field. On the eighth play of the drive running back Carevious Norton rushed in for a 17-yard touchdown.
The Tigers’ next possession ended quickly as they were forced to punt again.
The 49ers looked to add more points on their next drive, but the Memphis defense responded, forcing a three and out of their own.
Memphis carried that momentum into their next offensive possession where they answered with a long touchdown drive ending with quarterback Seth Henigan completing a two-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver DeMeer Blankumsee.
Linebacker Chandler Martin sacked Charlotte QB Max brown for an 11-yard loss resulting in the 49ers having to punt once again. Memphis looked to answer back with a touchdown, but after a long 11-play drive, they ended up having to kick a field goal that kicker Tristian Vandenberg missed.
Charlotte looked good on offense coming back out as they were starting to march down field, but Tigers linebacker Elijah Herring intercepted 49ers QB Max Brown giving Memphis the ball back right on their 48-yard line late in the 2nd quarter.
Memphis went for fourth and goal, but Seth Henigan threw an interception to Charlotte cornerback Dontae Balfour keeping the score at 7-7 going into halftime.
At halftime, Mr. and Mrs. UofM were announced for homecoming as Javarious Smiley won Mr. UofM and Raegan Williams won Mrs. UofM.
Charlotte got the ball to start the second half, and they were forced to punt after 5 plays.
After a strong defensive start from the Tigers, they continued that momentum as the offense went down field in 12-plays capped off by freshman running back Makari Bodiford rushing in for a 14-yard touchdown to give the Tigers their first lead of the night putting the score at 14-7. Memphis’ second half rally continued with a turnover on downs, as Charlotte’s offense to start the second half couldn’t get anything going.
The Tigers on the other hand were all gas no brakes to start the second half, scoring again with running back Mario Anderson scoring an 11-yard touchdown that gave Memphis a double-digit lead at 21-7 heading into the 4th quarter.
The 49ers scored a passing touchdown as QB Deshawn Purdie threw to wide receiver O’Mega Blake for a 39-yard touchdown putting the score a 21-14.
Running back Cartevious Norton rushed into the endzone for five yards tying the game at 21 a piece midway through the fourth.
Memphis looked to answer back but came up short as instead of attempting a field goal, they went for 4th and 3 but failed to convert.
Charlotte looked to capitalize and take the lead for the first time since the first quarter but failed as QB Deshawn Purdie threw an interception to cornerback DJ Bell putting the Tigers at the 49ers eight-yard-line.
Memphis ended up taking the lead back with a Tristian Vandenburg field goal putting the score at 24-21.
Charlotte took two plays to score as QB Deshawn Purdie hit wide receiver O’Mega Blake for a 57-yard pass that set up an 18-yard rushing touchdown for running back Hahsaun Wilson giving the 49ers the lead.
With 1 minute and 20 seconds to go, the Tigers went down the field in seven plays. They found the endzone with just 37-seconds remaining as Seth Henigan found receiver Roc Taylor for a 24-yard passing touchdown giving the Tigers the lead at 31-28.
The go-ahead touchdown gave Seth Henigan his 91st touchdown pass putting him 1st all time in Memphis Tigers football history.
After a kickoff return blunder by Charlotte, the Tiger defense forced a safety putting the score at 33-28 and sealing a Tigers victory.
Mario Anderson continued to shine, rushing for 141 yards and a touchdown. Memphis improves to 7-1 on the season and will look to improve to 8-1 next Saturday in San Antonio when they will take on UTSA at 11 a.m. CT.
