Memphis Loses Steam in 31-21 Home Loss to Tulane

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A game with two scoring spurts told the story last night in Memphis. The Tigers (4-2, 1-1) played host to the Green Wave (5-1, 2-0) of Tulane in a battle of 4-1 teams also trying to get to 2-0 in conference play.

A couple of punts and a Memphis interception gave Tulane the ball at their own 28 with 7:47 to go in the first. They would capitalize on this drive when Makhi Hughes scored on a two-yard run to make it 7-0 Green Wave. A field goal later and it was 10-0.

At this point, the Tigers’ offense had posed no threat to do anything. Tulane’s offense was moving the football. It could have been 14-0 easily had it not been for a third down stop that forced the Green Wave field goal.

The Tigers would answer with the first of the two runs that would define the game. Memphis would score on a Demeer Blankumsee17-yard pass from Seth Henigan to make it 10-7. Just before the half, Memphis would score again on a Henigan to Joseph Scates 28-yard pass to make it 14-10 Tigers at the end of the first half.

As asleep as the Memphis offense may have been, just like that they were wide awake. The second half began with Memphis driving 75 yards on nine plays. The drive would end on a 10-yard scoring pass from Henigan to Koby Drake.

Poof…Just like that, a 21-point unanswered scoring barrage and the Tigers of Memphis were in control. Well, somebody forgot to get the message to the Green Wave. They would score three times to finish the game off and take the win 31-21.

Over the last 20-plus minutes of the game, Memphis would have the ball five more times where they would punt, throw an interception, punt, turnover on downs, and end of the game. An offense on a roll just gave out in an instant.

Blake Watson (five carries for 13 yards) and the Tigers running game could never get things going either. They would total just 45 yards on the ground relying solely on Henigan to get it done in this one. Their running defense would also give up 130 yards on the ground to Hughes on 26 carries and a score.

Henigan would finish the day 24-43 for 321 yards, three touchdowns, and two picks. The first of the two killed a drive before it ever got started early in the first. The second one, near midfield, seemed to have taken out the Tigers the rest of the way.

Memphis just could not make a play when needed most in this game. A key play went down with Memphis down 31-21 in the fourth. On second and five from the Tulane 47, Henigan was sacked for a nine-yard loss back to their own 44. An incomplete pass later, Memphis was punting instead of still moving the football.

It all adds up to a home and conference loss for Memphis. Back to the drawing board and next week at UAB next Saturday.