Memphis improved to 7-1 with a 34-31 comeback win over No. 18 South Florida Saturday afternoon at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.
Memphis had a 17-0 fourth quarter to win the game 34-31, with South Florida missing a 52-yard field goal to tie as time expired.
“This, today, was a game that represents our city,” Memphis head coach Ryan Silverfield said.
Brendon Lewis was questionable all week but toughed it out and threw for a career high 307 passing yards along with 2 passing touchdowns and 35 rushing yards. Lewis threw a touchdown to Cortez Braham Jr. and rushed for a 2-point conversion to take a 3-point lead with one minute left in the game.
“B’Lew a dog man. He’s not gonna back down,” Braham Jr. said.
Memphis started the game off with an interception by linebacker Everett Roussaw Jr. and a rushing touchdown by running back Frank Peasant. After this though, the offense and defense both struggled. South Florida led 24-14 at half-time with a dominant performance by their star quarterback Byrum Brown.
It seemed over for the Tigers when they missed a field goal followed by a South Florida run for a 73-yard touchdown to end the third quarter down 31-17.
The Memphis defense stepped up, not allowing another score for the rest of the game.
Memphis’ offense in the fourth quarter scored a touchdown, a field goal, then another touchdown to take a 34-31 lead with a minute left in the game. South Florida drove down the field and got to the Memphis 35 for a 52-yard field goal attempt to tie the game.
South Florida star kicker Nico Gramatica missed only his third field goal of the year to cement a Memphis win.
After last week’s loss to UAB, Memphis cannot lose another game this season if they want a chance to make the college football playoffs. South Florida was their toughest opponent of the season so far, and the Tigers came away with another last-minute victory.
“We had everything to lose, but we also had everything in front of us,” said Tiger linebacker Sam Brumfield, who had 13 tackles, a sack and 2 tackles for loss.
Memphis improved to 3-1 in conference play and is tied for third place in the American. Memphis’ next game will be Friday at Rice at 6 p.m. on ESPN2.
Luke Lawson can be contacted at llawson6@memphis.edu.
