University of Memphis Athletics
Memphis releases details of the Simulation Showdown
May 26, 2020 | Football
MEMPHIS -- When Memphis announced its Football Simulation Showdown, an online simulation between the 2014 and 2019 Memphis football teams, Memphis Tigers fans took notice. The best of seven series was conducted using an online simulation program and the deciding game in the series was presented on the Memphis football Twitter account.
The series lasted five games, and the 2019 team won the series, 4-1. However, the five games were all close affairs, with Game 1 going into overtime and two other games decided by no more than a score.
The first game was one of the more entertaining in the series, as the 2019 squad stormed back with 18-unanswered points in the fourth quarter, including a two-point conversation with just 28 seconds remaining to force overtime. When Brady White connected with Calvin Austin III for a 14-yard overtime touchdown, the 2019 team completed the improbable comeback.
Game four of the series featured the 2014 team's lone victory in the series, as they put up 48 points, including four touchdown passes by Paxton Lynch, and a dominating ground game from Brandon Hayes. The 2014 defense also recorded three sacks and two interceptions.
The two quarterbacks were evenly matched in the series, as each averaged over 325 passing yards per game and more than 2.5 touchdown passes per game. Lynch had arguably the best statistical game of the two when he threw for 436 yards and three touchdowns in Game 3. However, Brady White was the model of consistency, as he threw for 329, 330, 372, 335 and 356 yards in the five games. In total they combined for 3,349 yards and 17 touchdowns in the five games through the air.
On the ground, Kenneth Gainwell and Brandon Hayes stole the show as each scored five rushing touchdowns. Gainwell surpassed 100 yards on the ground in the final three games of the series, while Hayes did it twice, including the game 4 win where he rushed for 172 yards and two touchdowns.
The receivers were busy over the five games, making a total of 226 catches. For the 2014 squad, the trio of Mose Frazier, Phil Mayhue and Roderick Proctor combined for 54 catches, 755 yards and four touchdowns. The 2019 receiving corps was led by Antonio Gibson, who grabbed five touchdown passes and Damonte Coxie, who led all receivers with 28 catches and 444 yards receiving.
Place kickers Jake Elliott and Riley Patterson were also outstanding during the series with only three misses between them in 23 attempts. The long was a 48-yarder by Patterson, and both were perfect on their combined 38 extra point attempts.
The simulations were conducted on WhatIfSports.com – an online sports simulation site featuring online simulation games and predictions for MLB, NFL, NHL, NBA, NCAA sports and more.
Results of the full simulation series are listed below.
2019 vs. 2014
Game 1 – Box Score | Individual Stats
2019: 35
2014: 31 (OT)
Game 2 – Box Score | Individual Stats
2019: 37
2014: 20
Game 3 – Box Score | Individual Stats
2019: 41
2014: 37
Game 4 – Box Score | Individual Stats
2019: 40
2014: 48
Game 5 – Box Score | Individual Stats
2019: 41
2014: 31
Overall Series Stats
