Memphis at ECU
Written by: Aaron Lewis
1st Half Summary
After trading punts, the Pirates got themselves on the board first after an
explosive 39-yard pass from Houser to Yannick Smith. London Montgomery punched it
in from the one to put the Pirates up 7-0 with 2 min remaining in the 1st quarter.
The 1st quarter ends with Memphis pushing the ball into the Redzone. The Tigers
toss the ball to Adcock for a game tying touchdown to start off the 2 nd quarter.
Memphis pulls ahead after an explosive 84-yard TD run by Sutton Smith. 14-7
Tiger lead with 5:30 left before the half.
ECU responds with a 49-yard Nick Mazzie FG. Narrowing the lead 14-10 with
just over 2 min remaining before the half.
Memphis ends the half with a 44-yard FG by Septic. Memphis leads 17-10 at the half.
Photos contributed by: Vickie Mathis
2nd Half Summary
ECU makes a statement on their opening drive of the second half, ending in a 1-
yard Houser rush up the middle to tie the game 17-17.
Memphis methodically drives the ball down the field to regain the lead with a 7-
yard QB keeper by Lewis. Tigers led 24-17 with 7:30 left in the 3rd quarter.
The Pirates quickly match that drive with a 6 play 75-yard TD drive. Capped off
by a 23-yard TD run by Montgomery. Tying the score at 24-24 with 5:45 left in the 3rd quarter.
With 4 min remaining in the 4th quarter, Pirates QB Katin Houser fumbles the
ball. Giving the Tigers the ball at the Pirate 20-yard line. Resulting in a 6-play 12-yard,
1:41 yard drive ending in a FG to take the lead 27-24 with 2:30 remaining in the game.
ECU mounts a 6 play 75-yard TD drive to take the lead with an electric 31-yard
TD pass from Houser to Mangrum to take the lead 31-27 with just over a minute left in
the game.
Game Summary & Key Takeaways
In this final home game for ECU, it was as anticipated, a very evenly matched
first half. Both teams feeling each other out like a heavy weight boxing match. A few
haymaker big plays, and an equal number of stalled offensive drives by both teams.
Penalties seem to be the only metric separating these two teams as ECU had 4
penalties for a total of 30-yards, Memphis committing 0. This killed a few potential
scoring drives for the Pirates, which could have left them leading in the first half, rather than trailing by 7.
The second half is more of the same. Body blows met with explosive plays by
both squads, as they head into the 4th quarter, with tension high, tied at 24-24. ECU with
a heroic stand in the redzone to hold Memphis to a FG, then get the ball back and score
the go-ahead TD, proved to be the difference maker in the game. ECU Outlasted
Memphis, winning 31-27 in this thriller of an American Conference game in Greenville.
This was a big win for ECU’s football program. Memphis was ranked in the top 25
just a week prior, and also still in the running for the American Conference title. With
only two weeks remaining in the season, the Pirates will look to win out in the American
conference with matchups against UTSA and FAU. Both of these teams are in the
bottom half of the American Conference standings. Meaning a very realistic chance of
ending the season with only one conference loss for the Pirates.
For Memphis, they have had a rough last couple of weeks, dropping two straight
conference games, ultimately sealing their fate in the AAC for this season. Not a bad
season for the Tigers but short of their expectations for this year. Memphis has only one
game left as they look to make a statement against the American Conference leading
Navy Midshipman.
