Memphis football lost to Houston rivals in a rare comeback win in the final minutes, after dominating with beautiful touchdowns.
Houston’s 33-32 comeback win at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium on Friday erased a 19-point fourth-quarter deficit. It ended Memphis’ football clash with the Cougars with a biting loss despite another thriller between the schools.
Tigers wide receiver Gabe Rogers threw a trick play touchdown pass to running back Asa Martin to start the fourth quarter. But Houston’s Clayton Tune had the last touchdown pass to receiver KeSean Carter with 18 seconds left.
The loss to Houston ended Memphis’s four games winning streak. The Tigers (4-2, 2-1 AAC) were in control for most of the game. But after Martin caught Rogers’ touchdown pass, the Tigers went for a two-point conversion and failed while leading 26-7 with 14:50 to go.
According to ESPN, the Tigers had a 99.6 percent change to win with that score and 1:37 left on the clock before things went south.
The Tigers looked to be headed toward an easy victory when Seth Henigan threw a lateral to Gabriel Rogers near the sideline.
Tune of Houston tossed a 13-yard touchdown pass to KeSean Carter that capped a 12-play, 75-yard drive to pull the Cougars to 32-26 with 1:17 to play. Tune and carter connected after six plays, to create the winner on a 2-yard touchdown with 18 seconds to play.
Throw away finished 36-of-57 passing for 366 yards with three touchdowns. Sam Brown had nine receptions for 116 yards and Nathaniel Dell made 10 catches for 81 yards and a score. Carter had four receptions for 36 yards.
The Memphis Tigers are now 4-2 with the first conference loss on their ledger.
