Field Level Media
Aug 31, 2019
Quarterback Brady White completed 23 of 31 passes for 172 yards, and Patrick Taylor Jr. ran for 128 yards to help lead Memphis to a 15-10 win over visiting Ole Miss in a game that surprisingly turned into a defensive struggle.
Ole Miss, in its first game under offensive coordinator Rich Rodriguez, managed just 13 first downs and 173 yards.
Memphis has won 16 consecutive nonconference games, but this was meaningful because it came against a Southeastern Conference opponent.
Memphis collected all the points it would need in the first half, taking a 7-0 lead with 5:23 left in the first quarter on a 1-yard run by White, who capped a 13-play, 74-yard drive.
The Tigers took a 13-0 lead on a 1-yard run by Taylor with 40 seconds left in the first half. Memphis missed the extra point. Taylor carried 27 times and also caught four passes for 25 yards.
Ole Miss mounted a charge in the second half, first putting together a nine-play, 62-yard drive and cutting its deficit to 13-3 on a 35-yard field goal by Luke Logan with 3:11 remaining in the third quarter.
On their next drive, the Rebels marched 55 yards in 10 plays and pulled within 13-10 on a 1-yard run by Scottie Phillips with 11:49 left in the game.
But after punter Adam Williams pinned Ole Miss at its own 1-yard line with 6:32 remaining, Memphis didn't take long to pounce on the opportunity, as Bryce Huff sacked quarterback Matt Corral in the end zone for a safety that made it 15-10.
That was the last time Ole Miss saw the ball.
Memphis took possession after the safety and killed the final 6:21 off the clock with a 14-play drive to end the game, converting two third downs and a fourth down.
--Field Level Media