Memphis 30, Houston 27: Five fresh keys
For all of Riley Patterson’s accolades, the senior never had a game-winning field goal for Memphis football. Until Saturday.
In his final game at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, Patterson sent the Tigers (7-3, 5-3 ACC) home with a gamewinning 47-yard field goal with no time left. He flipped off his helmet and ran across the field as the Tigers celebrated a 30-27 win over Houston.
It was one last positive home memory of a season affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Tigers stayed unbeaten at home for a second consecutive year and defeated Houston (3-4, 3-3) for a fifth consecutive season.
Here’s what we learned from Memphis’ 15th consecutive home win.
Brady White delivers one more time
Brady White became the school’s alltime passing leader on a 40-yard second-quarter pass to Sean Dykes. But it was his final drive that showed what he’s meant to the Tigers over the last three seasons.
With 28 seconds left, White drove Memphis 46 yards to set up Patterson’s field goal. His last pass was a 22-yarder to Calvin Austin III before running one last play to get the field goal lined up in the middle of the field.
In perhaps his final home game, White threw for 246 yards and two touchdowns and went 19-1 at the Liberty Bowl in his career.
Calvin Austin III passes 1,000-yard mark
Austin (seven catches, 74 yards) became the fourth player in program history with an 1,000-yard season, joining Isaac Bruce and former teammates Anthony Miller and Damonte Coxie. He also caught his 10th touchdown pass, becoming the sixth Tiger to have at least 10 in a season.
Once Coxie opted out of the season, Austin stepped in the spotlight and he’s remained there. He quickly earned White’s trust and it showed again on their final connection setting up Patterson’s walk-off moment
It was at Houston last season where Austin was placed on scholarship after the Tigers’ win. Against Houston on Saturday, he reminded why his rise from walk-on the Tigers’ No. 1 receiver has been one of the season’s best stories.
Tigers’ Texas natives step up
Jaylon Allen, who hails from the Houston area, started his first game with Cole Mashburn suspended for the first half due to targeting last week. He responded with a fumble recovery for an 85-yard touchdown that fired up the Liberty Bowl crowd.
Freshman Tahj Washington added to his breakout season with a 36-yard highlight catch over the outstretched arms of any defender. He finished with three catches for 46 yards and a touchdown.
Morris Joseph continued his solid season with 2.5 tackles for loss as he anchored the defensive line.
Tigers’ defense shines then scares
After Memphis kept Houston out of the end zone for three quarters, the Cougars came roaring back with three touchdowns on their final four drives.
It perhaps summed up the season for defensive coordinator Mike Macintyre’s group. They forced two takeaways, including Quindell Johnson’s third consecutive games with an interception.
But they also allowed Clayton Tune to nearly lead a comeback.
Memphis did enough early on to hold and once again the Cardiac Cats came through.
What’s next
The Tigers will try to win their first bowl game since 2014 and reports have Memphis in the Montgomery Bowl on Dec. 23. But the team’s health might have taken a hit with tight end Sean Dykes leaving the game in the second half.
Dykes didn’t return and was in sweats on the sideline. With the Tigers’ low numbers, losing another starter would hurt for bowl prep.