NEW ORLEANS — In a pivotal matchup on Thursday night, Memphis triumphed over No. 18 Tulane with a score of 34-24, effectively ending Tulane’s slim hopes for a spot in the College Football Playoff.
Tulane entered the game with a 9-3 overall record and a strong 7-1 mark in the American Athletic Conference, but they needed to secure a victory in their regular-season finale and next week’s conference championship to keep their playoff dreams alive.
However, the game took a turn when Tulane committed three turnovers deep in Memphis territory, which snapped their impressive streak of 17 regular-season conference wins.
Two of these turnovers emerged following significant receptions, both occurring near the Memphis 10-yard line.
The Tigers’ Kourtlan Marsh was responsible for causing both turnovers, making a big impact on the game. His first forced fumble occurred when he tackled Yulkeith Brown shortly after Brown’s 40-yard reception. AJ Watts fell on the loose ball at the 10-yard line and subsequently returned it 37 yards, leading to a touchdown for Memphis when Greg Desrosiers Jr. scored on a 29-yard run on third-and-4 to extend the Tigers’ lead to 27-10.
In the final quarter, as Tulane aimed to stage a comeback trailing 27-17, disaster struck again when receiver Mario Williams fumbled the ball at Memphis’s 9-yard line after a long reception, allowing Marsh to recover the ball once more.
Tulane quarterback Darian Mensah’s struggles continued as he was intercepted at the Memphis 2-yard line by Davion Ross. Memphis seized the opportunity, driving 98 yards for a final touchdown, punctuated by a 47-yard run from Mario Anderson Jr.
Memphis quarterback Seth Henigan showed precision, completing 22 of 29 passes for 218 yards and two touchdowns, all while avoiding any turnovers. The Tigers amassed 454 total yards against a Tulane defense that had previously allowed just nine points throughout their last three contests.
Anderson was a standout on the ground, rushing for 177 yards on 24 carries. Conversely, Mensah recorded 317 passing yards along with two touchdown passes, while Arnold Barnes managed a 2-yard touchdown run for the Green Wave.
The first quarter saw Tulane briefly take the lead at 10-7 after Williams caught a 7-yard touchdown pass. But Memphis quickly regained control when Desrosiers caught a 25-yard pass, solidifying their position in the game.
**The Takeaway**
Memphis demonstrated considerable drive and focus despite being sidelined from the conference title race. Their offense was particularly effective, converting 10 out of 16 third-down attempts and maintaining a streak of scoring over 20 points for the 39th consecutive game. The defense was equally aggressive and capitalized expertly when given the chance.
Conversely, Tulane appeared somewhat tense from the outset, dropping key passes and struggling to implement their normally effective ground game against a robust Memphis run defense ranked 18th nationally. Missed tackles and difficulties in securing stops on third downs compounded their challenges throughout the night.
**Poll Implications**
As a result of the loss, Tulane may fall from the AP Top 25, potentially diminishing the stakes for their upcoming AAC championship clash.
**Looking Ahead**
Memphis will now await news regarding a bowl invitation, while Tulane is preparing to face Army on December 6 at a yet-to-be-decided venue for the American Athletic Conference championship game.