University of Memphis Athletics
Saturday, November 14
Houston, Texas
6:00 p.m. CT
University of Memphis
34
at
35
#16 Houston
Players Mentioned
TE
/ Football
RB
/ Football
PK
/ Football
DE
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WR
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QB
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LB
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LB
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Photo by: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Tigers Drop 35-34 Shootout To Houston Saturday
Nov 14, 2015 | Football
Dorceus rushes for 116 yards, one TD; catches another score.
HOUSTON, Texas – Sometime the close calls go the other way. After pulling out close wins over Bowling Green, Cincinnati and USF earlier this season, the No. 25 University of Memphis football squad dropped a narrow decision Saturday night, falling to No. 16 Houston 35-34.
The Tigers took a 34-14 lead nine seconds into the fourth quarter, but the Cougars put together a furious rally with 21 unanswered points to post the come-from-behind win before a crowd of 42,159 at TDECU Stadium.
Tigers running back Doroland Dorceus ran for 116 yards on 26 carries and a score, and quarterback Paxton Lynch threw for 278 yards and two touchdowns, but it wasn't enough in the end.
Memphis outgained Houston in total yards 490-392 and dominated the Cougars on the ground by a 212-96 clip. Houston held a narrow 296-278 advantage in yards through the air. The Tigers ran 11 more plays (86-75), had six more first downs (26-20) and converted more third downs (12-19, UM; 6-15, UH).
Despite all the statistics going Memphis' way, the Cougars made their plays in the final period. Houston scored three touchdowns in the final 12:56 and forced two Tigers turnovers, capitalizing on one of them.
After a Tevin Jones rushing score put Memphis up 34-14 with 14:51 in the fourth period, Houston began its comeback. A little under two minutes later, the Cougars scored the first of their three fourth-quarter touchdowns when Kenneth Farrow hit pay dirt from 10 yards out to cut the Tigers' lead to 34-21 at the 12:56 mark.
On their next possession, the Tigers fumbled and Houston recovered at the Memphis 20 yard line. However, the Memphis defense held the Cougars at its 5 yard line and took over from there with 8:08 on the clock.
The Tigers, though, were not out of trouble yet. Three plays later, Lynch threw his third interception of the season. Elandon Roberts, who finished with 18 total tackles, picked off Lynch's pass at the Memphis 39 yard line, and the Cougars offense was back on the field.
This time, Houston cashed in on the Tigers' miscue. Cougars quarterback Kyle Postma directed a seven-play, 39-yard drive that ended when Javin Webb scored from a yard out.
Memphis was unable to mount a drive on its next possession, going 3-and-out and punted to Houston. The Cougars took over on their own 23 with 4:00 remaining. Houston drove 77 yards on nine plays and scored on a Postma seven-yard touchdown scamper with 1:27 left.
The Tigers, however, had one final opportunity. Starting on its own 23, Memphis drove the ball to the Houston 31 yard line in 1:08. The Tigers attempted a 48-yard field goal, but Jake Elliott's try drifted wide right and Houston secured the win.
Memphis dominated the first half, building a 20-7 lead at the break. The Tigers' lead was 20-0 until 37 seconds remained before the break. Memphis built its lead on two Elliott field goals (41 and 29 yards) and two Lynch scoring strikes of 38 yards to Alan Cross and 61 yards to Dorceus.
Not only did the scoreboard tell of the Tigers' first-half domination, the statistics did as well. Memphis outgained Houston 273-99 in total yards and ran 47 plays to Houston's 27. The Tigers rushed for only 77 first-half yards, but the Memphis defense held the Cougars to minus-13 yards on the ground in the first two quarters.
Houston answered immediately after half, scoring three minutes in on a Farrow touchdown run. The touchdown cut the Tigers lead to 20-14. Memphis added a Dorceus touchdown run midway through the third period to put the Tigers up 27-14 and set up the fourth-quarter drama.
Leonard Pegues led the Memphis defensive effort with 12 total tackles. Christian Johnson and Wynton McManis each had two TFL.
The Tigers return to action Nov. 21 with an American Athletic Conference showdown against Temple. Game time from Philadelphia, Pa., is set for 11 a.m. (CT).
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