University of Memphis
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UTEP
Williams' Late TD Lifts Tigers To Victory Over Miners
Oct 02, 2005 | Football
Oct. 2, 2005
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Final Stats
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - DeAngelo Williams rushed for 236 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner with 50 seconds left Saturday night to lead Memphis to a 27-20 victory over previously unbeaten UTEP.
Williams' 3-yard touchdown was set up by a Derek Clenin interception and 26-yard return to the Miner 9 with 1:16 left. It was one of six turnovers on the night for UTEP (3-1, 1-1 Conference USA).
The Miners tied the game 20-20 with just over four minutes left on a 29-yard pass from quarterback Jordan Palmer to Johnnie Lee Higgins, followed by Palmer's run for the two-point conversion.
The Miners, off to their best start since 1987, continually killed their chances with turnovers. Four times, UTEP coughed up the ball inside the Memphis 25, including a pair of fumbles and an interception by Palmer.
The fifth turnover was the one that set up the winning score for Memphis (2-2, 1-1). Memphis defensive back O.C. Collins would close out UTEP's chances when he intercepted Palmer's pass with 32 seconds left.
The game was delayed about 45 minutes because of a thunderstorm in the area, but there was little, if any, rain during the game. There also were four plays reviewed by the officials. In all four cases, the ruling on the field stood.
Williams was the highlight of a patchwork offense, weakened by injuries to the Tigers' top two quarterbacks. The offense was so makeshift, Williams' most successful runs came when he lined up at quarterback and took off running, including a 74-yard zig-zagging third-quarter run that gave Memphis a 17-6 lead.
The Tigers ran reverses, options out of the shotgun and had receivers throwing passes. In fact, Memphis held a 7-6 lead at the half on a 43-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Scott from wide receiver turned second-string quarterback, Maurice Avery.
While the Miners moved the ball, totaling 251 yards in the half, they continuously made mistakes thwarting scoring opportunities. Palmer, who had 217 passing before the break, threw an interception deep in Tiger territory to stop one drive, then fumbled the snap to kill another.
Of the nine UTEP drives in the first half, the Miners reached Memphis territory six times. Their first-half scores came on field goals of 45 and 24 yards by Reagan Schneider.
The Miners finished with 505 yards of offense, including 431 through the air, compared to 374 yards of offense for Memphis.
