Field Level Media
Dec 12, 2020
Riley Patterson kicked a 47-yard field goal as time expired to lift host Memphis to a 30-27 victory over Houston on Saturday in an American Athletic Conference contest.
The Cougars scored 21 points in the fourth quarter to forge a tie with 28 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. The Tigers answered as Brady White connected with Calvin Austin III for a 22-yard reception to set up Patterson, who kicked the ball just inside the upright to end the game.
White completed 22 of 35 passes for 246 yards to become the school's all-time leader in passing yardage with 10,406. He entered the game needing just 56 yards to move past Danny Wimprine (2001-04) for the honor.
Austin joined Tahj Washington with a touchdown reception for the Tigers (7-3, 5-3 AAC). Austin had a team-high seven catches for 74 yards, with the latter total helping him become the fourth Memphis wideout to reach the 1,000-yard plateau for a season.
The victory was the Tigers' 15th straight at home, a stretch that dates back to the 2018 season.
Clayton Tune threw for two touchdowns and rushed for another in the fourth quarter for the Cougars (3-4, 3-3), who were playing their first game since posting a 56-21 win over South Florida on Nov. 14.
Tune found Marquez Stevenson in the back of the end zone for a 13-yard touchdown before the quarterback scampered 19 yards for a score nearly five minutes later. The scoring surge trimmed Memphis' lead to 27-20, and Tune found an open Bryson Smith alone in the end zone for an 18-yard touchdown with 28 seconds left.
White stepped up in the pocket and connected with Washington in the back of the end zone to give Memphis a 10-6 lead with 5:21 remaining in the second quarter. Washington's touchdown reception was his sixth of the season.
Houston attempted to respond just before halftime, however Tune was unable to corral a high snap. Tigers Defensive end Jaylon Allen alertly scooped up the ball and lumbered 85 yards for a touchdown.
Memphis kept the pressure on to begin the third quarter, as White threaded the needle to Austin over the middle for a 15-yard touchdown to cap a nine-play, 75-yard drive. Austin's touchdown catch was his 10th of the season, making him the first Tigers wideout to record double-digit scoring receptions since Anthony Miller had 18 in 2017.
--Field Level Media