Tulsa bounce back with impressive win
Anthony Watkins’ run for a 44 yard touchdown (TD) helped Tulsa beat Memphis 35-29 to register only their second win of the season.
SHARE THE WIN!#ReignCane 👑🌀 #HuntForTheCrown pic.twitter.com/vW8JqNW2DW
— Tulsa Football (@TulsaFootball) October 10, 2021
Memphis came into the game with a 3-2 record, boasting a win over Mississippi State Bulldogs.
One of their two losses was to undefeated University of Texas San Antonio, with a last second field goal being the difference.
Tulsa on the other hand, came into the week 1-4 and fresh off a demoralizing 45-10 beating administered by the Houston Cougars.
Tulsa were extremely poor and well off the pace against the Cougars. They looked like a team that had given up.
They required a massive improvement and that was what they got.
The match
Memphis received the ball first and promptly put together a great opening drive. They made it to the Tulsa 16 yard line and then the Tulsa defense made the big play that was needed.
Running back Brandon Thomas was brought down for a two yard loss which prompted a 36 yard field goal attempt.
The field goal was missed, Tulsa suddenly had a little momentum, and the players picked up on a little homecoming game buzz that was in the stadium.
Tulsa took that gift and went on an 80 yard TD drive which featured a good mix of running and passing. Running back Shamari Brooks made a darting run off tackle for the 13 yard TD.
His speed and acceleration were on display throughout the drive and on the TD run.
The Memphis offense put on a show the whole evening. Freshman quarterback (QB) and budding star, Seth Henigan, finished the evening with 463 yards passing and two TDs.
However, the Tigers made simple errors that eventually cost them: one lost fumble, three missed field goals, and a missed extra point.
The most exciting player to watch though was Memphis’ wide receiver (WR) Calvin Austin III. The receiver ended up with 13 catches for 200 yards. He turned routine catches into long gains all evening with his ability to change direction quicker than anyone else on the field and then accelerate quickly.
Austin is averaging close to 140 yards receiving per game on the year which puts him at no.2 in the country among all receivers.
There were four other big plays that decided this game:
1) Tulsa regained the lead on the stroke of half-time when Tulsa WR Sam Crawford caught a Davis Brin throw and was able to keep his stride to finish off a 28 yard TD heading into halftime. Tulsa 14-13 Memphis.
Sam Crawford takes it to the HOUSE! That’s how you cap off a 27 second drive!#ReignCane 👑🌀 #HuntForTheCrown
— Tulsa Football (@TulsaFootball) October 10, 2021
2) Early in the fourth quarter, Tulsa WR Josh Johnson caught a 10 yard crossing route, thrown perfectly in stride by Davis Brin, and turned it up field leaving the Memphis defense chasing his shadow on his way to a 63 yard TD. Tulsa 28-13 Memphis.
3) Tulsa running back (RB) Anthony Watkins, who always seems to have a big play in his locker, avoided several Memphis tacklers on his way to a 44 yard TD with 4:28 left in the game. This put Tusla 35-21 in front and seemingly on course for victory.
Straight out of a movie! @headhunterant5 pic.twitter.com/lTOeUPI4aR
— Tulsa Football (@TulsaFootball) October 11, 2021
4) One minute later, Austin reminded everyone that he was the star of the show to bring Memphis back into the game. He hugged the sideline on a go route and Henigan threw a dart right between the corner and the safety for a 30 yard TD. Tulsa 35-29
Memphis had once last chance to win the game but Henigan was intercepted and Tulsa was able to run down the clock.
Other stats
Tulsa RB Shamari Brooks had a solid game with 126 yards rushing on 26 carries and two TDs.
🏆 @American_FB Honor Roll 🏆
♦️ Shamari Brooks – 126 yds & 2 TDs
♦️ Justin Wright – 14 TKL, 1 FF, 1 sack#ReignCane 👑🌀 #HuntForTheCrown pic.twitter.com/c2XLdLr7BY
— Tulsa Football (@TulsaFootball) October 11, 2021
Freshman Tiger RB Brandon Thomas had 77 yards on 18 carries and two TDs as well.
Fixtures
Next for Tulsa: @ South Florida
Next for Memphis: Home vs Navy
