Tulane University
Memphis
Tulane Falls to Memphis, 45-6
Nov 29, 2008 | Football
Nov. 29, 2008
Memphis-The Tulane football team had hoped to close out their season with a victory on Saturday against Memphis, but the hosting Tigers had other plans, as they downed the Green Wave 45-6 at the Liberty Bowl.
The Tigers' offense starting rolling early, as they marched 84 yards down field and scored on a 13-yard run by senior Maurice Jones. The play originally ruled Jones down at the one yard line but was called for review to determine if Jones crossed the plane. Officials took a second look and ruled it a touchdown, getting the Tigers (4-4 in Conference USA, 6-6 overall) on the board first with 8:51 left in the first quarter. A PAT kick from Matt Reagan made it 7-0 in favor of Memphis.
Memphis got the ball back with 7:17 after recovering a Green Wave fumble on the Tulane 40-yard line. The Tigers needed only six plays to move the ball into the end zone, finishing with a nine yard run from Curtis Steele. Reagan's PAT kick was good and the Tigers extended their lead 14-0 with 2:39 to play in the first quarter.
On the ensuing drive, Kevin Moore's pass was intercepted by Michael Grandberry at the Memphis 31-yard line and the Tigers took control of the ball again. The Tigers moved the ball to the Tulane 36-yard line, where Memphis' Steven Black took the snap and ran into the end zone, and the Tigers pulled ahead with the PAT kick, 21-0 as the second quarter got underway.
After receiving the kickoff, Tulane got their first first down of the game on a 39 yard reception from Moore to senior Brian King, bringing the ball to the Memphis 38-yard line. Moore connected with King two plays later to pick up another first down, after a 16 yard reception brought the ball to the Tigers' 21 yard line. Senior Scott Elliott replaced Moore, who was injury on the play, at the quarterback position and handed off to freshman Nathan Austin on consecutive plays. Austin picked up eight yards and moved the ball to the 13-yard line. The Memphis defense denied the Green Wave, blocking their field goal attempt from the four-yard line with 8:35 left in the first half.
The Tigers scored again upon regaining possession of the football. Memphis moved the ball 80 yards on 12 plays before Black scampered into the end zone from two yards out. A PAT kick made it 28-0 with 2:50 to play in the second quarter.
The Tigers opened the second half receiving the Tulane kickoff and drove 68 yards down field before Reagan kicked a 22-yard field goal to put the Tigers up 31-0.
The Green Wave offense tried to get something going on their next possession when Michael Batiste caught an 11-yard pass from Moore to get a Tulane first down. Freshman JT McDonald picked up eight yards on the next carry, bringing the ball to the Tigers' 47-yard line. Moore took the snap from center Michael Parenton and pitched to Casey Robottom. Robottom threw downfield back to Moore and the Green Wave picked up another first down on the Memphis 37-yard line. Austin carried the ball for another yard before Moore found tight end Cody Sparks for a 28-yard reception, bringing the ball to the Memphis eight-yard line.
Robottom took the ball into the end zone for his first collegiate touchdown on the following play to get Tulane on the board. The PAT kick was wide left and it was 6-0 with 4:09 left in the third quarter. Tulane has not been shutout in a game in the last 76 games, a streak dating back to Sept. 28, 2002 at No. 3 Texas (49-0).
Not to be outdone, the Tigers answered with a score of their own on a rush from Black after a nine-play drive brought the ball to the one yard line. Black scampered in with 56 seconds left in the third quarter. Reagan's PAT kick was good and the Tigers were up 38-6.
Memphis capped off the game with one final score when the Tigers' Brandon Ross found the end zone from one yard out. Reagan's PAT kick was good and the Tigers sealed the victory 45-6.
The Green Wave finishes the season 1-7 in Conference USA action, 2-10 overall and will graduate 16 seniors: Michael Batiste, James Dillard, Scott Elliott, Jordan Ellis, Craig Gelhardt, Justin Kessler, Brian King, Troy Kropog, Evan Lee, Josh Lumar, Michael Parenton, Reggie Scott, Julian Shives-Sams and David Skehan. Chris Dunn and Matt Harding join the group, as both players are seniors in their degree field.
