Memphis 50, UCF 49: 5 things we learned from greatest comeback in Tigers football history

The Memphis Tigers should’ve been in trouble once Damonte Coxie and TJ Carter were ruled out for Saturday’s game against UCF. A 21-point third quarter deficit almost proved it true.

Except Memphis, which gave back double-digit leads to UCF twice in 2018, didn’t fold. They took UCF’s big plays, hung in the fight and finished with a final punch 30 years in the making.

Brady White marched Memphis down the field for a go-ahead drive, capped by a 4-yard touchdown to Calvin Austin III with 1:08 left. UCF missed a potential game-winning field goal and the Tigers’ 50-49 win completed the greatest comeback in program history.

On the fifth anniversary of Memphis defeating Ole Miss for one of the program’s biggest wins, the Tigers (2-1, 1-1 AAC) ended a 13-game losing streak to UCF (2-2, -2). Here’s what we learned at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium.

The Tigers’ offense rallies without its best receiver

Losing Coxie should’ve been a blow to this offense. Instead the Tigers stayed calm, and saw a young receiving corps came of age.

Tahj Washington had a career performance (seven catches, 131 yards) and his biggest play came on the game-winning drive when he caught a shovel pass on fourth-and-3 and ran 52 yards. Calvin Austin had his first 100-yard receiving game (151 yards) and two touchdowns.

And Javon Ivory, starting in place of Coxie, had four catches for 88 yards and a touchdown.

Brady White had the game of his life

White's six touchdowns tied a career-high but he was nearly flawless. He didn't throw an interception and on the Tigers' final drive, he used his legs and his arm to keep things going.

He finished with 486 passing yards and zero interceptions against UCF. Saturday's 85-yard drive should go right up there with his game-winning drive to beat Cincinnati in last year's AAC championship game.

It was fitting he passed Riley Ferguson for second-most touchdowns in Memphis history and now has 72 in his career. Ferguson rallied Memphis from a 17-point deficit against Houston in 2017 and now White has another signature moment in Tigers lore.

Tigers' defense stands tall in the end

UCF had 798 yards of total offense, the most Memphis has given up in school history. Three receivers had over 170 yards each. 

It didn't matter. Memphis forced a three-and-out to set up the Tigers' final drive, and Rodney Owens forcing a fumble in the third quarter thwarted a UCF drive that Memphis returned down the field. O'Bryan Goodson had a huge third-down sack near the end of the third quarter despite his helmet being knocked off on the play.

UCF quarterback Dillon Gabriel had 601 passing yards and five touchdowns, but when Memphis needed stops, the defense delivered in the fourth quarter even without its longtime anchor in Carter.

Memphis overcomes two fumbles

Dreke Clark fumbled on the Tigers' opening drive but it didn't stop a career night for the sophomore. He finished with 112 rushing yards as the Tigers' running game dominated UCF up front.

A fumbled snap in the fourth quarter nearly proved costly and after Memphis punted, UCF responded with a 93-yard touchdown on the next play. Memphis, however, was unrattled. They nearly rallied from 21 points down against SMU and showed that same resolve Saturday.

Tigers regain life for the AAC title race

The monkey hanging on Memphis’ back? Take it off and fling it down Central Avenue. The Tigers no longer have to hear about UCF owning this rivalry as they finally beat UCF for the first time since 1990.

Even better, Memphis kicked UCF farther down in the AAC as they zoomed back in the title race. Yes, they have to play seven consecutive weekends but after a win like this, the Tigers have all the confidence heading into facing Temple next week and Cincinnati in two weeks.

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