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Tigers 2nd Half Rally Overcomes Charlotte 31-28 for Homecoming Victory

by Don Mooney

Running back Mario Anderson Jr, rushed for 141 on 32 attempts and a touchdown marking his fifth 100-yard of the year. photo by Don Mooney

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Deshawn Purdie’s heave to O’Mega Blake looked to be the play Charlotte needed against Memphis. The 57-yard completion set up a go-ahead touchdown, but instead, Roc Taylor’s 24-yard touchdown catch with 31 seconds left will be played on highlight reels after Charlotte’s 31-28 loss to Memphis. It marks back-to-back late losses to the Tigers after their overtime touchdown last season to upend the 49ers at home. The 49ers’ quarterback-wideout duo combined for 128 yards including a 39-yard touchdown to begin their second-half comeback at the Liberty Bowl. It all came after Purdie’s entrance to start the second half.

Senior quarterback Seth Hennigan became Tigers all-time touchdown leader after this game. photo by Don Mooney

The University of Memphis football team had to dig deep after falling behind with 1:20 remaining, but the Tigers clawed their way back in front and escaped with a 33-28 victory over Charlotte Saturday afternoon at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.

The Tigers (7-1, 3-1 AAC) took the lead with just 31 seconds remaining on a 24-yard record-breaking touchdown pass from senior quarterback Seth Hennigan to Roc Taylor. The game-winning heave moved him past Brady White for the most touchdown passes in Memphis football history.

First Black QB to start for the Tigers (74-77), Kippy Brown released the Tiger before todays contest. photo by Don Mooney

Memphis scored 12 points (field goal, touchdown, safety) in the final 1:56 of game time to earn its seventh win of the season and build on its best start to a season since 2019. The touchdown from Henigan to Taylor was set up by a 25-yard connection down the middle two plays prior from Henigan to tight end Andy Landphere.

The defense sealed the victory with a safety from William Whitlow Jr. and Chandler Martin with 19 seconds to play. Memphis held Charlotte to just 52 offensive plays today – the lowest amount by a Tiger opponent this season.

Homecoming court candidates presented at halftime. photo by Don Moone

Running back Mario Anderson Jr, rushed for 141 on 32 attempts and a touchdown marking his fifth 100-yard of the year, the most by a Tiger running back in the regular season since Kenneth Gainwell in 2019. His 32 carries were the most by a Tiger since Doroland Dorceus in 2015. On the season, Anderson Jr. has amassed 780 yards on the ground to go with 13 rushing touchdowns.

Freshman running back Makari Bodiford added a career-high 73 yards and a touchdown on seven carries. He broke off a 40-yard scamper – the third longest rush this season by a Tiger – to set up his 14-yard score a few plays later.

Henigan finished the afternoon completing 20-of-32 passes for 212 yards with two touchdowns and an interception while adding to his career-record list as a Tiger.

Wide receiver Roc Taylor moves the chain with second half catch. photo by don Mooney

Martin was again the leader on defense, totaling 10 tackles and a pair of sacks on the day. Fellow linebacker Elijah Herring was in on six stops to go with his second-quarter interception. Defensive back DJ Bell also came down with a big interception in the fourth quarter that led to Tristian Vandenberg’s 21-yard field goal.

A 21-21 tie became a three-point Memphis lead after Charlotte came through with a defensive stop. It forced a turnover on downs a drive before and Dontae Balfour’s interception at the one-yard line halted a potential scoring drive earlier in the second quarter.  
 
“I think our defense played really well,” coach Biff Poggi said. “We had a bunch of fourth-down stops and they’re pretty good on offense. I thought we played pretty well, and I’m not ready to throw the defense under the bus — it was a really good college football game, we just lost it at the end.”

UP NEXT
Memphis hits the road for San Antonio next weekend for an 11 a.m. kick on ESPN2 against UTSA.

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