Memphis football experienced a disappointing loss on Saturday at home against SMU, putting an end to their AAC title hopes. The Tigers, who have an 8-3 record and are 5-2 in the American Athletic Conference, were competitive throughout the game but succumbed to too many mistakes, ultimately losing 38-34 to the Mustangs.
Despite a rocky start and being forced into a quick lead by SMU, Memphis fought back with an impressive performance from quarterback Seth Henigan. However, it was not enough to secure a win as SMU pulled away in the fourth quarter, sealing their victory. The Tigers had several opportunities to tie the game late, but a series of penalties proved to be their downfall.
Key Highlights of the Game
Memphis’ AAC Title Hopes: The Tigers arrived at Saturday’s game with a four-game win streak, needing a victory to keep their conference title hopes alive. With this loss, the Tigers are now 0-2 against the top teams in the conference, putting an end to their title aspirations while still holding onto hopes for a 10-win season and a successful bowl game.
Seth Henigan’s Performance: Despite an apparent left shoulder injury, Memphis’ quarterback continued his impressive streak, amassing 402 yards and two touchdowns. However, his exceptional performance was not enough to secure a win for the Tigers.
Tiger Defense: The game saw an early defensive play by the Tigers, preventing SMU from dominating through their dynamic offense. However, their success was short-lived, with SMU’s offense becoming more explosive in the second half.
Penalties Hurt the Tigers: Memphis faced several penalties during their comeback attempt, including an illegal man downfield and illegal formation penalty, which resulted in a stalled drive and paved the way for SMU’s decisive victory.
Upcoming Game: Next, Memphis will travel to Philadelphia for a Black Friday matchup against Temple in the regular-season finale.
Reach sports writer Jonah Dylan at [email protected] or on Twitter @thejonahdylan.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis football’s AAC title hopes end after Senior Day loss to SMU
Alex Martin is your guide to the global phenomenon of football. With a focus on international leagues and tournaments, he provides match commentary, player interviews, and behind-the-scenes stories from the world of football.
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