Brady White talking with media after losing to the Navy, 22-21. White finished the night completed 15 of his 25 pass attempts for 145 yards.
ANNAPOLIS, Maryland — Light to moderate rain fell over Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium as the Midshipmen hosted the Tigers for their second game this season. Memphis knew what was at stake coming into this AAC Conference matchup. The thundershowers caused slippery hands, which resulted in four Memphis turnovers.
The region experienced torrential rains, causing flash floods in some areas. Even with all the odds stacked against the Tigers, they trailed by one point with two and a half minutes to play on fourth and four.
Mike Norvell said the team did not execute when it mattered most, and weather conditions are no excuse.
“It is what it was,†Norvell said. “I thought we did some good things running the football. We were efficient early, passing the ball.â€
Norvell said the Tigers did not get the ball down the field like they wanted to, but he also said he was to blame for this loss.
“I take full ownership in that,†Norvell said. “This one is definitely on me. We gotta do a better in making sure continuing focus on those little things, and when it comes down to the fourth quarter, we know how to finish.â€
Norvell said playing a tough conference opponent like the Navy is one of those little things that can make or break a team. In this situation, it broke the Tigers.
“They battled to the very end,†Norvell said. “The mistakes that cost us. We turned the ball over four times throughout the game. We got some critical mistakes we gotta get fixed.â€
Memphis’ quarterback Brady White went 3-10 from the field in the second half. In the fourth quarter, White and his offense had a chance to put themselves in scoring position to win the game. When it was all on the line, White could not convert and turned it over on downs. White said regardless of the dynamic, they were ready for this moment.
“We were completely prepared,†White said. “We just didn’t execute. We have got to give ourselves an opportunity to get that first down at the end, give ourselves a chance. Like I said, just came up short.â€
White stepped back and was tackled by his ankles, turning the ball over on downs. The Tigers succumbed to mounting adversities and were defeated, 22-21.
“I felt like I could’ve done a lot better job,†White said. “There were certain situations where I felt like I let my team down, but I know that’s why you play four quarters. That’s why you play a whole season. I know personally I’m going to be more motivated than ever to continue to prepare better than ever and help my team win games. This one just got away from us... can’t let it happen again.â€
The Tigers trailed 9-7 at the half, but their offense exploded in the third quarter. Memphis scored 14 points to start the second half. At one point, Memphis’ running back Darrell Henderson had more rushing yards than the Navy as a whole, which is a team known for their running game. Henderson ran a career high, 212 yards, and he rushed for a career best, three touchdowns. Despite the stellar offensive production, it was not enough to win this game.
“Well, I think we got a little complacent,†Henderson said. “We felt like (since we were up) the way they run their offense, it’s hard from them to come from behind. They don’t do nothing but run the ball. So, we felt like we were going to win.â€
Not only did the Tigers face a stingy Navy defense and a tricky offense, but they also faced adverse weather conditions. Henderson said he was unaware of the weather forecast for Saturday’s game in Annapolis until Friday night. He also said it impacted the way the team played.
“Well, the rain, it definitely messed our offense up because we couldn’t really get into our playbook and run the plays that we wanted to run,†Henderson said.
The Memphis Tigers are currently 1-1 on the season and will play Georgia State at home on Friday.Â
