University of Memphis Athletics
University of Memphis
7-3 , 5-3
Houston
3-4 , 3-3
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston | 3 | 3 | 0 | 21 | 27 |
| Memphis | 3 | 14 | 10 | 3 | 30 |
Riley Patterson Hits Game-winning Field Goal as Memphis Beats Houston 30-27
Dec 12, 2020 | Football
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Memphis senior kicker Riley Patterson made a 47-yard field goal as time expired to lift the Tigers to a 30-27 win over Houston on Saturday at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium.
The walk-off kick was Patterson's first at any level and his third field goal of the game. He also made kicks of 34 and 49 yards as the Tigers closed out the 2020 regular season with a win.
"It's been a great four years here, and this is just awesome," Patterson said. "I have envisioned hitting a game-winning field goal since I was in high school. For me, it was just about staying present in the game, taking my steps, hitting the ball and letting the kick be what it would be."
Memphis (7-3, 5-3 American Athletic Conference) held a 17-6 advantage over Houston (3-4, 3-3) at halftime. The Tigers kept the Cougars out of the end zone until 13 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, the longest Houston had been held without a touchdown to start a game this season.
The victory gives Memphis 15 consecutive home wins, the fifth-longest active streak in the FBS. The Tigers have gone undefeated at home for two consecutive seasons for the first time in program history, and finish the regular season 4-1 in one-score games. Three of their six home games this season were won on their final offensive possession.
"Here at Memphis, the way I see it, we are a winning football team," Patterson said. "Winning is the standard and that's what we do here. The standard is especially winning games at home, and that really means a lot to us."
Memphis had just 55 scholarship players available for the game.
"I am so proud of the effort of these guys," said Memphis head coach Ryan Silverfield. "We don't have everyone we started the season with in that locker room, but I couldn't ask to go to battle every single day with a better group of young men."
White Sets Another Record
Memphis senior quarterback Brady White now owns the school record for career passing yards. He surpassed Danny Wimprine (2001-04) with a 40-yard pass to tight end Sean Dykes early in the second quarter. Wimprine called White to pass along his congratulations immediately after the game.
White completed 22 of his 35 pass attempts against Houston for 246 yards and two touchdowns.
The Santa Clarita, Calif., native also holds the program record for career passing touchdowns (87) and wins as a starting quarterback (27), both records he set earlier this season.
"It's a privilege to be No. 1 here in so many categories," White said. "I appreciate all the people who have laid the foundation."
Scoop and Score
With under a minute remaining in the first half, sophomore linebacker Jaylon Allen recovered a Houston fumble and returned it 85 yards for a touchdown. It was the first career start, fumble recovery and touchdown for Allen, who is from Humble, Texas, a Houston suburb.
"I've been waiting on this opportunity," Allen said. "Today was a dream come true. I knew if I was going to be out there, I was going to put my best foot forward. It wasn't a question what I was going to do. I was on a mission."
It is the second-longest fumble return in Memphis history behind an 88-yard return by Freddie Barnett in 2007 against Arkansas State.
The defense also had an interception in the second quarter by sophomore defensive back Quindell Johnson, giving him one in each of the last three games.
1,000 for Austin III
With a 10-yard catch in the third quarter, wide receiver Calvin Austin III became the fourth player in Memphis history to reach 1,000 receiving yards in a season. He joins Pro Football Hall of Fame member Isaac Bruce (1993), Chicago Bears wide receiver Anthony Miller (2016, 2017) and Damonte Coxie (2018, 2019) as Tigers to reach the milestone.
Austin III had a team-high seven catches for 74 yards and a touchdown on Saturday.
Team Stats
HOU 3, MEM 0
HOU - WITHERSPOON, Da 28 yd field goal 15 plays, 64 yards, TOP 7:03
HOU 3, MEM 3
MEM - PATTERSON, R. 34 yd field goal 14 plays, 56 yards, TOP 4:59
HOU 6, MEM 3
HOU - WITHERSPOON, Da 29 yd field goal 10 plays, 60 yards, TOP 4:32
HOU 6, MEM 10
MEM - WASHINGTON, T. 4 yd pass from WHITE, Brady (PATTERSON, R. kick) 8 plays, 75 yards, TOP 2:53
HOU 6, MEM 17
MEM - ALLEN, Jaylon 85 yd fumble recovery (PATTERSON, R. kick)
HOU 6, MEM 24
MEM - AUSTIN, Calvin 15 yd pass from WHITE, Brady (PATTERSON, R. kick) 9 plays, 75 yards, TOP 3:14
HOU 6, MEM 27
MEM - PATTERSON, R. 49 yd field goal 12 plays, 55 yards, TOP 6:30
HOU 13, MEM 27
HOU - STEVENSON, Marq 13 yd pass from TUNE, Clayton (WITHERSPOON, Da kick) 11 plays, 75 yards, TOP 4:09
HOU 20, MEM 27
HOU - TUNE, Clayton 19 yd run (WITHERSPOON, Da kick), 6 plays, 40 yards, TOP 1:33
HOU 27, MEM 27
HOU - SMITH, Bryson 18 yd pass from TUNE, Clayton (WITHERSPOON, Da kick) 15 plays, 70 yards, TOP 4:46
HOU 27, MEM 30
MEM - PATTERSON, R. 47 yd field goal 5 plays, 46 yards, TOP 0:28
