Missed Opportunities:  Tigers Lose Finale to SMU 

On a dismal day in Dallas, SMU defeated Memphis 34-31 in a fashion Tiger fans have grown accustomed to this season.  After driving 76 yards on the final possession of the game, QB Seth Henigan misfired on 2^nd and goal from the 9 and his pass intended for Gabe Rogers was picked off by Brandon Crossley to seal the victory for SMU, another in a series of missed opportunities where this Memphis team was legitimately one play away in four games that would have flipped a 6-6 season into a 10-2 one.   

Had Henigan instead thrown to a wide open Eddie Lewis this game could have gone the Tigers way, just as the Houston game would have had Memphis recovered an onside kick.  Just as the East Carolina game could have had an errant pass not been returned for a pick 6 or a two point conversion gone the Tigers way.  Just as the UCF game could have flipped had an interception not been thrown inside the 10 or any number of other plays. All one score games where one play could have changed the outcome in the Tigers favor.  But those things did happen and for the second straight year Tigers fans end a football season disappointed and looking back on what could have been.  This team was so close to bringing back the pride we felt in 2019, yet here we are lamenting what could have been. 

The day started off with Memphis bull dozing their way to an opening touchdown on a 13 play 75 yard drive that culminated with a Sutton Smith run up the middle for a 5 yard score.  SMU was held to a single first down on their opening drive and the Tiger offense marched 60 yards in 8 plays only to have a Chris Howard 43 yard field goal attempt into a swirling wind fall just short.  SMU methodically drove down the field 75 yards in 14 plays to even the score on a Tanner Mordecai to Roderick Daniels 7 yard pass. 

Davion Ross gave Memphis good starting field position on the ensuing drive by returning the kickoff 33 yards out to the 35.  Asa Martin put the Tigers ahead with a 3 yard burst up the middle on a drive highlighted by a Henigan to Javon Ivory 36 yard play.  Chris Howard closed out the first half scoring with a 42 yard FG to give Memphis the 17-14 lead. 

SMU took the lead for the first time on the opening drive of the second half on a Tyler Lavine rush for 3 yards and then extended the lead on their next drive with a 27 yard Collin Rogers FG.  Memphis closed to within one on the next drive with Gabe Rogers rushing the ball for a 5 yard score.  A low snap on the extra point attempt left the Tigers trailing by 1. 

SMU All-America candidate Rashee Rice who caught 13 balls for 147 yards on the day pushed the lead to 8 on a 24 yard catch and then a Collin Rogers 23 yard FG finished out the scoring for the day for SMU. 

Memphis was not going down this day without a fight.  The Tigers drove 70 yards in 12 plays to pull within 3 on a Henigan to Roc Taylor 7 yard TD pass.  The defense stepped up and forced the three and out Memphis needed to have as chance at victory.  Memphis quickly drove down the field starting at their own 15  Henigan hit Martin on a 29 yard screen and later on a 4^th and ten, Henigan hit Gabe Rogers for 24 down to the SMU 19.  Memphis would get one more first down before the final interception, the only turnover on the day though Memphis did have two missed opportunities on dropped interceptions in the first half. 

Henigan was 27-44 on the day for 287 yards, one touchdown, and the interception.  Jey Ducker was the leading rusher on the day for Memphis with 81 yards on 10 carries.  Ivory caught 6 balls for 98 yards to lead the receiving corps with Asa Martin catching 7 out of the backfield for 74 yards.  Defensively, Geoffrey Cantin-Arku and Xavier Cullens both had 12 tackles. 

Memphis now awaits word on which bowl game they will be assigned with trips to either Birmingham or Shreveport most likely.