Sports Greg Desrosiers Jr. caught two scoring passes and ran for a touchdown, and Memphis defeated No. 18 Tulane 34-24 on Thursday night to forestall the Inexperienced Wave’s prolonged-shot repeat for a berth in the Faculty Football Playoff.
While Tulane (9-3, 7-1 American Athletic) became unlikely to get the contemporary 12-crew CFP, it needed to receive its new-season finale and subsequent week’s convention title game to hold a gamble.
As an replacement, the Inexperienced Wave grew to change into the ball over three instances deep in Memphis territory as their hotfoot of identical old-season convention victories ended at 17.
Two turnovers by Tulane came after prolonged receptions at or internal the Memphis 10-yard line.
Tigers defensive lend a hand Kourtlan Marsh introduced about every fumbles, the fundamental when he leveled Yulkeith Brown moments after his 40-yard earn. AJ Watts recovered on the 10 and returned it 37 yards, initiating a force that ended with Desrosiers’ 29-yard touchdown lumber on third-and-4 to present Memphis (10-2, 6-2) a 27-10 lead.
Within the fourth quarter, with Tulane trailing 27-17, Mario Williams fumbled on the Tigers 9 after hauling in a 55-yard depart and Marsh recovered.
Tulane quarterback Darian Mensah became later intercepted on the Memphis 2 by Davion Ross, and the Tigers responded with a game-sealing, 98-yard force capped by Mario Anderson Jr.’s 47-yard touchdown lumber.
Seth Henigan performed 22 of 29 passes for 218 yards and two TDs with out a turnover for Memphis, which totaled 454 yards against a Tulane defense that had allowed unbiased 9 ingredients in its outdated three video games blended. Anderson rushed for 177 yards on 24 carries.
Mensah handed for 317 yards and two TDs, and Arnold Barnes ran for a 2-yard rating.
Tulane gave up a touchdown on Memphis’ opening force when Henigan hit Desrosiers for the fundamental of his two touchdown catches — a 17-yard, leaping snatch in tight protection.
Tulane’s totally lead came when Williams’ 7-yard TD earn made it 10-7 leisurely in the fundamental quarter.
But Desrosier’s 25-yard earn and lumber place the Tigers lend a hand in entrance for unbiased correct in the 2d quarter.
The Takeaway Memphis: The Tigers seemed motivated and focused despite being out of the convention title image. Offensively, they converted 10 of 16 third downs to again them surpass the 20-point plateau for a 39th straight game. The defense, meanwhile, became disruptive and opportunistic.
Tulane: The Inexperienced Wave seemed tight early. Receivers dropped several passes and Tulane’s in overall productive lumber map did no longer appear to confirm up effectively with a Memphis lumber defense that ranked 18th nationally. Missed tackles on defense and anguish getting third-down stops made for a rough night.
Pollimplications Tulane may maybe well maybe drop out of the AP Top 25, lessening the magnitude of subsequent week’s AAC championship game.
Up subsequent Memphis: Awaits a bowl repeat.
Tulane: Will play Navy on Dec. 6 in the American Athletic Conference championship game at a plot to be definite.
Reporting by The Related Press.
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