Tigers Fall In Overtime To Golden Hurricane, 37-31

Saturday, September 24

Tulsa, Okla.

6 p.m.

University of Memphis

Tulsa

Sep 24, 2005 | Football

Sept. 24, 2005

Final Stats
Final Stats in PDF

TULSA, Okla. (AP) - Paul Smith threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Garrett Mills on the first play of overtime to lead Tulsa to a 37-31 win over Memphis on Saturday night in the Golden Hurricane's first Conference USA game.

After Tulsa missed the extra point, Memphis' overtime possession ended when DeAngelo Williams - who rushed for 223 yards and three touchdowns - was forced out of bounds a yard short of a first down on a fourth-down play.

Smith completed 15 of 22 passes for 234 yards and three touchdowns for the Golden Hurricane (2-2, 1-0).

Memphis (1-2, 0-1) had 335 yards rushing and 482 yards of total offense.

Freshman quarterback Billy Barefield came off the bench in the fourth quarter after an injury to starter Will Hudgens and directed two scoring drives to help Memphis overcome a 31-21 deficit and force overtime.

Barefield's first drive ended in a 32-yard field goal by Stephen Gostkowski. He rushed for 28 yards on three carries on the Tigers' next possession, capped by an 8-yard run by Williams to tie the game.

Memphis took the early lead in the game after a 7-yard touchdown run by Williams, but Tulsa answered with an 80-yard scoring drive.

Tulsa took a 21-14 lead at halftime after Tarrion Adams broke free for a 64-yard touchdown run with 27 seconds remaining in the half.

Williams became the conference's all-time leading rusher, passing former Tulane running back Mewelde Moore. Williams now has 4,575 yards rushing. It was the fifth time in his last eight games that he rushed for 200 yards or more.

Tulsa tight end Garrett Mills had seven receptions for 106 yards and two touchdowns, his third consecutive game with more than 100 yards receiving and his 31st straight game with a pass reception.