Ferguson leads Memphis to upset of No. 25 UCLA

MEMPHIS — Riley Ferguson threw for 398 yards and six touchdown passes, and Jacobi Francis broke up a fourth-down pass in the closing seconds to lead Memphis to a 48-45 win over No. 25 UCLA on Saturday.

Francis’ breakup with 56 seconds left prevented another fourth-quarter comeback by Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen, who finished the game with 463 yards on 34 of 56 throws and four TD passes.

But unlike in the Bruins’ opener when Rosen engineered a fourth-quarter comeback to defeat Texas A&M, the Memphis defense stiffened on UCLA’s final possession, sending the Bruins (2-1) to their first loss of the season.

For all of the hype about Rosen, considered one of the top quarterbacks in the country, Ferguson matched his counterpart, completing 23 of 38 passes for Memphis (2-0), and his connections with wide receiver Anthony Miller meant the difference. Miller caught nine passes for 185 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

UCLA had taken a 45-41 lead early in the fourth quarter on a 22-yard pass from Rosen to Austin Roberts with 11:51 left.

But Memphis answered with a 4-play, 81-yard drive, the final 3 coming on a pass from Ferguson to Phil Mayhue with 9:56 left to go ahead.

From there, it was up to the Tigers’ defense, which was capped by Francis’ knock-away, sending the Memphis fans into celebration mode, after the Tigers defeated their third ranked opponent in each of the last three seasons.

› Ball State 28, Tennessee Tech 13

MUNCIE, Ind. — Riley Neal threw for 238 yards and three touchdowns to help lead Ball State to a win over Tennessee Tech.

James Gilbert rushed for 92 yards on 11 carries and Justin Hall pulled in seven passes for 82 yards and a score for the Cardinals (2-1).

› Minnesota 34, MTSU 3

MINNEAPOLIS — Kobe McCrary rushed for 107 yards and three touchdowns and Jacob Huff returned an interception 67 yards for a touchdown to lead Minnesota to a victory over Middle Tennessee State.

Rodney Smith rushed for 107 yards in the first half before leaving with an injury and Conor Rhoda completed 11 of 18 passes for 122 yards in his first game since being named the full-time starter for the Golden Gophers (3-0), who wore all gold for the first time since 1974.

› Sewanee 29, Austin 17

At Sherman, Texas, Warren Holland ran for three touchdowns as the Tigers opened Southern Athletic Association play with their first road victory since November 2013.

Holland’s first score, a 6-yarder, pulled Sewanee (2-1) within 7-6 late in the first quarter. That was followed by the first of two Austin 98-yard 2-point scores on blocked extrapoint kicks, but the Tigers went ahead to stay 55 seconds before halftime on a 23-yard pass from Alex Darras to Allan Puri. Holland had two 1-yard TD runs and Michael Jacobs a 27-yard field goal in the second half.

Holland ran 24 times for 92 yards and caught three passes for 55, and Darras added 33 yards on eight carries in addition to going 15-for-23 for 215 passing yards. Puri had three receptions for 63 yards, and Sewanee intercepted four passes — two by William Phillips and one each by Wesley Porter, Glenn Ireland and John Cleveland. Pierce Johnson totaled 12 tackles.

› Tennessee State 24, Florida A&M 13

TAMPA, Fla. — Steven Newbold broke four tackles on a weaving, shifting 44-yard pass reception, his diving score helping Tennessee State (3-0) defeat Florida A&M in the Tampa Classic.

Harris was 14 for 18 for 211 yards and two TDs. Newbold finished with 117 yards on five catches.

Ryan Stanley led Florida A&M (1-2) with 216 yards passing and a touchdown.

Raymond James Stadium was cleared for the game Tuesday after Hurricane Irma grazed the city.