Key Plays From Memphis' Loss to East Carolina
Memphis lost to East Carolina 31-27 in Greenville to fall to 8-3 (4-3 American) on the season. Here are the key plays from the game that shifted momentum the most.
Katin Houser to Payton Mangrum TD
Katin Houser hit Payton Mangrum for a 31-yard touchdown pass to put East Carolina up 31-27 with 1:08 remaining in the game. This ended up being the game-winner, as Memphis could not score on the final drive of the game.
Everett Roussaw’s Forced Fumble
On the drive following East Carolina’s huge fourth down stop (more on that later), Everett Roussaw made the Tigers’ biggest play of the game with a strip sack of Houser. The Tigers took over with 4:10 remaining inside field goal range.
Memphis would convert the turnover into just three points, which loomed large as East Carolina followed the field goal with a touchdown to win the game.
East Carolina’s 4th Down Stop
On a drive where it had already converted one fourth down, Memphis lined up to go for it on fourth-and-one at the East Carolina 17-yard line. Frank Peasant was stuffed, and the Pirates got the ball back in a 24-24 game with 5:49 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Memphis missed out on points that would have given it the lead heading into the late stages of the game.
Sutton Smith’s 84-Yard TD Run
On the first play of a drive with 5:43 remaining in the first half, Sutton Smith made an 84-yard house call for the Tigers. Peasant made a great block to open up the hole on this play. Memphis controlled the rest of the first half from this point on.
Drops on Opening Possession of 2nd Half
Cortez Braham dropped a pass on second-and-six, then Jadon Thompson followed with a drop of his own on third down to begin the second half. East Carolina scored on its next two possessions, and the three-and-out kickstarted a third quarter where the Pirates regained some momentum.
Lewis to Adcock TD on 4th Down
After Peasant was stuffed on third-and-two, Memphis faced fourth-and-three at East Carolina’s five yard line. Brendon Lewis showed nice patience behind good protection and found Matt Adcock wide open in the end zone. It was Adcock’s second touchdown of the season.
