Tight end Chris Carter on the receiving end of a 18-yard pass to put Tulane on the one-yard line from QB Michael Pratt with 4:32 left in the third quarter. photo by Don Mooney
by Don Mooney 10-14-2023
Memphis, TN—The Green Wave (5-1, 2-0 AAC) ended a 25-year drought in Memphis (4-2, 1-1 AAC) with a second-half surge to emerge victorious 31-21 Friday evening in Memphis. The victory was the Green Wave’s first in the Liberty Bowl since its unbeaten 1998 season.
Makhi Hughes and Chris Brazzell II both recorded 100-yard games to lead the Wave offense. Hughes had a career-high 130 yards on the ground and went over the century mark in his second-straight outing. On defense, DJ Douglas led the Wave with six tackles (five solo). Lance Robinson and Kam Pedescleaux both had clutch interceptions that each ended in a Tulane touchdown.
The Olive and Blue struck first with an interception by Robinson followed by a 32-yard reception by Chris Brazzell II. The nine play, 72-yard drive was capped by a two-yard rushing touchdown by Hughes to put Tulane on the board first.
Two drives later, a 26-yard field goal by Valentino Ambrosio put the Wave up 10-0 through one quarter of play. Memphis fought back in the second quarter and led 14-10 through 30 minutes. After another Memphis score put the home team up 11 (21-10), Tulane turned up the heat and scored the game’s final three touchdowns.
Michael Pratt completed an 18-yard pass to tight end Chris Carter to put TU on the one-yard line. Pratt then took it in on a quarterback sneak to draw the visitors within 21-17 with 4:32 left in the third quarter. The defense came up with a big three-and-out on Memphis’s next drive and the Olive and Blue kept the momentum rolling with a five play, 69-yard drive, capped by a Yulkeith Brown end-around to open the fourth quarter. The score gave Tulane a lead (24-21) it would not relinquish.
Quarterback Seth Henigan completed 24-of-43 passes for 321 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions for the Tigers. photo by Don Mooney
The final touchdown of the game came on the next Green Wave drive, with an 11-yard reception by Lawerence Keys III to cap a drive that began with an interception by Pedescleaux.