Memphis falls 22-21 to Navy on rainy day

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Navy backup quarterback Zach Abey ran for a 3-yard touchdown in a driving rain with 2:37 left, capping a fourth-quarter comeback that lifted the Midshipmen past error-prone Memphis 22-21 on Saturday.

Navy trailed 21-9 before Malcolm Perry followed the Tigers’ third lost fumble of the game with a tackle-breaking 19-yard run on which he went right, then left with 11:07 remaining.

After a Memphis punt, the Midshipmen (1-1, 1-0 American Athletic Conference) moved 56 yards in 13 plays in a drive that Abey ended standing up in the end zone.

The Tigers (1-1, 0-1) got to the Navy 34 before Brady White was tackled on a fourth-down scramble with 1:26 remaining.

A steady rain turned a projected shootout turned into a conservative game of ball control. After scoring 66 points in its season opener against Mercer, Memphis struggled on offense until Darrell Henderson peeled off touchdown runs of 78 and 59 yards in the third quarter.

Henderson finished with 212 yards and three touchdowns on just 13 carries, but Memphis just couldn’t overcome the rain, four turnovers and a subpar performance by White, who went 15-for-25 for 145 yards and an interception.

Perry ran for 166 yards and two touchdowns. Abey played occasionally in short-yardage situations, carrying five times for 6 yards and that very important touchdown.

It was an uplifting victory for the Midshipmen, who were coming off a 59-41 blowout loss at Hawaii.

› Washington & Lee 47, Sewanee 14

At Sewanee, Tenn., the Generals ruined the Tigers’ home opener but outgained the hosts only 501-490 in offensive yardage, led by Drew Richardson with 17 runs for 133 yards and two touchdowns. W&L (2-0) gained 402 yards on the ground, while Sewanee (1-1) had 388 net passing yards.

Alex Darras was intercepted three times but was 31-of-51 passing for 325 yards and a touchdown throw to Micah Maes, who also completed a 48-yard touchown pass to Colin May on a trick play. Cyrus McCullough caught six passes for 82 yards for the Tigers, and Warren Holland led their runners with 52 yards on 12 carries.

Sewanee’s Karim Antoine was in on 11 tackles and forced a fumble, and Wesley Porter totaled eight stops.

› Middle Tennessee 61, UT-Martin 37

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Brent Stockstill passed for 407 yards and five touchdowns, the third time the Blue Raiders senior has thrown five touchdown passes in a college game.

The Skyhawks took their only lead of the game when they drove 75 yards in six plays on their first drive and scored on Dresser Winn’s 16-yard touchdown pass to Devonte Howard.

Middle Tennessee State (1-1) tied it when Stockstill threw a 56-yard touchdown pass to C.J. Windham. After a three-and-out, Stockstill hit Windham again on a 10-yard scoring pass. Winn connected with Terry Williams early in the second quarter on an 11-yard score to even it at 14.

Middle Tennessee added two more touchdowns in the second quarter for a 26-17 lead before creating safe distance after the break when Chaton Mobley ran for a 7-yard score.

Winn threw for 355 yards and four scores for the Skyhawks (0-2).