Tigers come from behind to beat South Florida

Memphis wins record 13th straight home game in comeback victory

gotigersgo.com MEMPHIS — The Memphis Tigers pulled off a dramatic 34-33 comeback victory over South Florida on Saturday to set a new school record with 13 consecutive home wins at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. The home streak is the fifth-longest nationally in the FBS and gives the Tigers 14 consecutive wins in November.

Memphis quarterback Brady White found wide receiver Calvin Austin III with just over one minute remaining to complete a 13-point comeback over the final four minutes. The Memphis (4-2, 3-2 American Athletic Conference) defense stopped the Bulls (1-6, 0-5) just shy of a first down at the USF 32-yard line on fourth down in the final seconds to clinch the win.

The Tigers have pulled off second-half comebacks in all three of their home conference wins this season.

They completed the largest comeback in school history on Oct. 17 in a 50-49 win over UCF after trailing by 21 points in the second half and defeated Temple 41-29 on Oct. 24 after trailing 15-10 in the third quarter.

'You can call us the Cardiac Cats,' said Memphis coach Ryan Silverfield.

White completed 30 of his 50 passes for 437 yards and four touchdowns.

'This place is special,' White said. 'It's just different, even in the COVID year. I think anyone that lives in this city and loves this city knows that about the Liberty Bowl. You really don't know what you're walking into here with the boys in blue coming to play. I've been very fortunate to be in this city for three years, and I absolutely love this place. '

White now has 24 wins as a Memphis starting quarterback, the most in school history.

'It's great to have the highest number in program history, but the number isn't what matters,' White said.

'It's the winning that matters. It's not me. My name gets the credit and that's awesome, but that is for everyone.'

Austin III had five catches with 102 yards and the game-winning touchdown.

He now has four consecutive games with at least 100 receiving yards, tying Anthony Miller for the most all-time at Memphis.

The Memphis native also had a game-winning touchdown catch against UCF.

Tight end Sean Dykes had seven catches for 142 yards and two touchdowns. Six of Dykes' receptions converted third downs for the Tigers, including both of his touchdown catches. The senior also eclipsed 1,000 career receiving yards, becoming just the third Memphis tight end in history to reach the milestone.

The Tigers' defense held USF to 330 total yards, the fewest the unit has allowed this season, and had five critical three-and-outs in addition to the four-and-out to finish the game.

First Quarter

Memphis opened the game with a turnover on downs after running back Rodrigues Clark was stopped short on fourthand- 1 from the Tigers' 34yard line. The defense responded by forcing a 49yard USF field goal, which Spencer Shrader converted to put the Bulls in front 3-0.

The slow start for the Memphis offense continued on the Tigers' second drive with a three-and-out. A 47yard punt by Adam Williams put USF at its own 26-yard line.

Memphis' defense held strong again, forcing a punt after three plays.

Memphis found some success offensively on its third opportunity, driving 31 yards to set up a 52-yard field goal by Riley Patterson that tied the game.

A third-down sack by defensive end Wardalis Ducksworth forced a USF punt from its own 4-yard line as the Bulls were held to minus-2 total yards through their first three possessions.

Memphis followed with a 43-yard scoring drive that was capped by a 33-yard Patterson field goal, giving the Tigers a 6-3 lead.

The first quarter ended with a tackle for loss by Memphis defensive lineman O'Bryan Goodson, which left USF with minus-6 yards rushing yards for the quarter.

Second Quarter

The second quarter began with 24 total points scored in just three minutes and six seconds.

Shrader made his second field goal, a 47-yarder, with 14:18 remaining in the half to make it 6-6. The Bulls took the lead just over a minute later when defensive back Daquan Evans intercepted White and ran 51 yards untouched to the end zone to make it 13-6.

White responded by connecting with Austin III for a 65-yard touchdown three plays into the ensuing drive, tying the game once again. USF retook the lead 20-13 on the first play of the next drive with a 75yard touchdown pass from Noah Johnson to Kelley Joiner.

Looking to even the score once again, the Tigers drove 39 yards to the USF 36-yard line but were stopped on fourth down for a second time. The Bulls promptly drove 64 yards as

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Johnson threw his second touchdown pass of the game to build a 27-13 lead with 3:52 remaining in the quarter.

Two third-down completions from White to Dykes had the Memphis offense moving on its next possession, which began at its own eight-yard line. The Tigers 89 yards in 12 plays, but were once against stopped on fourth down as the half ended with the Bulls holding a 14-point advantage.

Memphis' defense started the second half with its fourth three-and-out stop of the game. The offense took advantage of good field position, driving 59 yards in 10 plays with a touchdown pass from White to Dykes bringing the Tigers to within 27-20.

USF countered with a long drive of its own, going 11 plays and 67 yards before being held to a 41-yard field goal that pushed the Bulls

The Tigers opened the fourth quarter with a Williams punt that pinned USF just inside its own 13yard line. The next two drives resulted in punts for both teams, and USF went in front 33-20 after adding a field goal with 4:36 to play.

White's second touchdown pass to Dykes capped a scoring drive that took just one minute and 17 seconds off the clock and pulled Memphis to within six points at the 3:19 mark.

A fifth three-and-out forced by the Memphis defense gave the Tigers the ball back with 2:23 remaining and set up the game-winning

The American Athletic Conference has announced the Nov. 14 football game between Memphis and Navy has been postponed due to positive COVID-19 cases at Navy.