University of Memphis Athletics
University of Memphis
Tulsa
Memphis Falls In OT Against Tulsa 33-30
Nov 27, 2009 | Football
Nov. 27, 2009
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By Joshua Wilkins
Graduate Assistant
TULSA, Okla. - Despite a monster 232-yard rushing performance by Curtis Steele, Memphis' season, and the Tommy West era as Tiger head coach, came to an end with a 33-30 overtime loss to the Tulsa Golden Hurricane.
It is the second-straight game Memphis has played in Tulsa that has gone into overtime with the Golden Hurricane winning both contests.
Steele scored a career best four times, including runs of 59 and 77 yards, but it wasn't enough. His rushing total did move him past Joseph Doss and Gerard Arnold, and into third place on the Tigers' all-time rushing list with 2,462 career yards. He is the only player in the top 10 to have just played two seasons at the U of M.
Steele's four rushing touchdowns matches a Memphis single game record, which has been accomplished four other times. The senior running back also moved into fourth place all-time in single season rushing yards with 1,239.
Memphis got on the board first with a 59-yard touchdown run by Curtis Steele, one of 25 Tigers playing their final game in blue and gray. Steele's touchdown run gave him a score in 12 of the previous 16 games he's played in for the Tigers.
On the drive, senior wideout Duke Calhoun caught a nine-yard pass from Arkelon Hall, giving him a reception in all 49 games he's played as a Tiger, a streak that ties him for second nationally.
Tulsa responded less than three minutes into the game when quarterback G.J. Kinne threw a 23-yard scoring strike to junior Trae Johnson.
With 13:30 remaining in the first half, sophomore Kevin Fitzpatrick put Tulsa in front 10-7 with a 25-yard field goal.
Tiger senior Matt Reagan would tie the game on the ensuing Memphis drive with a 35-yard field goal of his own at the 7:07 mark in the second quarter. The field goal was his first attempt in the last four games.
Memphis survived a score just before halftime when Reagan had a punt blocked giving Tulsa the ball at the Memphis six. However, Tulsa's Willie Carter fumbled the ball three plays later and Memphis senior Jeremy Rockette recovered keeping the game tied at halftime.
Fitzpatrick would put Tulsa back in the lead with a 31-yard field goal on the 14th play of the second half's opening drive.
On the ensuing Tiger possession, Brett Toney was stopped for no gain on a fourth-and-one from Memphis' own 28-yard line giving Tulsa good field position. The Golden Hurricane capitalized four plays later with a 10-yard touchdown pass from Kinne to Charles Clay. Fitzpatrick's PAT made the score 20-10.
On the very next offensive play, Steele took the ball 77 yards for his second rushing touchdown of the game, and Reagan's PAT pulled the Tigers to within 20-17 with 7:22 left in the third. The run also pushed Steele's rushing total for the day past 100 yards, the 12th such game in two seasons as a Tiger for Steele, which also puts him second all-time on the Tigers' 100-yard rushing game list. Steele finished his career with four-straight 100-yard games and six of his last seven contests.
Tulsa pushed their lead back to 23-17 with a 21-yard field goal by Fitzpatrick with 3:47 left in the third.
With 8:30 to play in the game, Steele scored his third touchdown of the game from 29 yards away to tie the game at 23-23. Reagan's PAT was blocked keeping the score tied.
On the ensuing drive, Tulsa faced fourth-and-seven from the Memphis 37, when Bryan Wright intercepted Kinne. The pickoff, coupled with a 15-yard penalty on Tulsa, gave the Tigers the ball at the Golden Hurricane's 44-yard line.
It took the Tigers and Steele all of six plays to take the lead on Steele's three-yard touchdown run and Reagan's PAT. The touchdown was Steele's fourth of the game, and 21st in the last 16 games he's played in.
Tulsa tied the game with 30 seconds to play when Kinne found Johnson for a two-yard touchdown pass. Fitzpatrick's PAT would send the game into overtime.
Memphis had the ball first in overtime, but linebacker Bo Abbott intercepted Hall's first pass attempt in overtime to end the Tigers' scoring chance. Tulsa would set up Fitzpatrick in the middle of the field, and he was true on a 37-yard field goal attempt to give Tulsa the 33-30 win.
The loss ends Memphis' season with a 2-10 record, 1-7 in C-USA play.
