By Adam Douglas
Sports Editor
David Minkin
Freshman running back Artaves Gibson goes airborn while being tackled by Marshall defenders.
Both teams traded touchdowns in the first quarter, with the Tigers taking yet another lead into halftime, 13-10, and for the second consecutive game led going into the fourth quarter. And also like last game, The University of Memphis Tigers football team (2-9, 1-6 in Conference USA) couldn't hold the lead when it counted most, falling to Marshall 23-22 after dominating for much of the game.
Once again the Tigers won the turnover battle, 5-0, and once again they let a lead slip away. But in a game where the Tigers returned a blocked punt and a fumble for a touchdown, and had a punt blocked but managed to recover the ball for a first down, it would look like it would be your night to win. Somehow, though, the Tigers found a way to give another win to a reeling team in C-USA.
"I thought our team played hard and played well in spurts," said head coach Larry Porter. "But the inability to finish just frustrates you. And I will not allow the players to hold their heads low for the effort they gave out there."
The effort was there in Thursday night's game. The Tigers intercepted Marshall backup quarterback Rakeem Cato twice, as well forcing to him to fumble, which led to a touchdown. Memphis had a touchdown on special teams, and when the Thundering Herd went up 7-0 out of the gate, the Tigers responded with their own 10-play, 69-yard touchdown drive. Initially, the Tigers didn't show any letdown from last week's debacle against UAB.
"The resolve in this team is one thing you can enjoy," Porter said. "We were trying to play this game to the bitter end. We wasn't taking our foot off the gas – we're in no position for that."
Unlike last week against the Blazers, the Tigers had chances to win down the stretch. After going down 23-22 with 6:02 left to play, The U of M punted, only to see another fumble fall their way with 2:00 left on the clock. Sophomore quarterback Andy Summerlin, who took over for freshman Taylor Reed midway through the third quarter after Reed was injured, marched the team down the field only to see them start dropping the ball once they crossed their side of the 50. Three straight dropped passes by Marcus Rucker, Tanner Rehrer and Reggie Travis turned the ball over on downs and gave Marshall a come-from-behind win in the fourth quarter.
"We didn't capitalize offensively," Summerlin said. "It's very unfortunate that it ended this way; our defense played great tonight and as an offense you've got to score points."
The Tigers wrap up the 2011 season next Saturday when they travel to Hattisburg, Miss. to play the Southern Miss. Golden Eagles. Kickoff is slated for 3 p.m.
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