Tigers drown Green Wave 33-17

Tigers pull ahead early in New Orleans, thwart Tulane’s second-half comeback attempt to snap 16-game

By Adam Douglas

Sports Editor

   

David Minkin

Freshman cornerback Bobby McCain intercepts a pass in the third quarter before returning it 79 yards for a touchdown.

 

Entering last Saturday's game against Tulane, The University of Memphis Tigers football team had lost 23 of their last 25 games dating back to the 2009 season. They also owned a dubious 16-game Conference USA losing streak, with four of those losses suffered this season. But the Tigers (2-6, 1-3 in C-USA) put those streaks to an end as they defeated the Tulane University Green Wave 33-17 in New Orleans.

"I would like to compliment our team for coming out and staying focused and playing a 60-minute game," said head coach Larry Porter. "We were able to counterpunch and fight off some negative momentum, which gave this team some energy and more passion to fight through for 60 minutes."

That "negative momentum" came after halftime, when Tulane captured the lead midway through the second half against a Tiger defense that controlled the tempo from the outset. Down 14-10 at the break, Tulane took the second-half kickoff and drove 80 yards on only six plays to regain the lead, 17-14. Tulane quarterback Ryan Griffin was perfect on the drive, going 4-of-4 on passing for 77 yards, including a 29-yard touchdown strike to Wilson Van Hooser.

The turning point of the game happened when Tigers cornerback Bobby McCain intercepted Griffin on Tulane's next possession, returning the ball 79 yards for a touchdown. A blocked extra point left the Tigers with a 20-17 lead.

After blocking a Tulane punt attempt the next possession, Tigers quarterback Taylor Reed gave Memphis a 26-17 lead after scoring on a one-yard touchdown. Kicker Paulo Henriques missed the extra point attempt.

Redshirt senior Billy Foster would add to the lead by scampering 22 yards for another touchdown, putting the Tigers up 33-17 late in the fourth quarter and dashing any hopes for a comeback by Tulane.

"It feels good to get a ‘w' on the road, and to top it off this was a conference game," said senior linebacker Terrance Thomas, who had a team-leading 14 tackles in the game. "Practice will be more fun this week, the enthusiasm will be there and everyone will come out with the will to practice."

The Tigers' performance, though leading to a win, was still flawed.

Tulane gained more total yards than The U of M (459-289), had more first downs (26-15) and a greater time of possession (32:46 to 27:14). Despite those shortcomings, some players still had high hopes for the rest of the season.

"Truth be told, if we win out, we can still go to a bowl game," said sophomore tight end Justin Henderson.