Houston Cougars vs Memphis Tigers Box Score on Nov 25, 2016

The Sports Xchange
Nov 25, 2016

Quarterback Riley Ferguson completed 30 of 45 passes for 409 yards and four touchdowns, including a go-ahead strike to wide receiver Anthony Miller with 19 seconds remaining in the game, as Memphis survived for a 48-44 win over No. 20 Houston on Friday afternoon.

Memphis (8-4, 5-3 The American) scored 30-plus points for the fifth straight contest and earned its third win in the past four games. The fast-paced game featured four lead changes in the final 7:02.

Quarterback Greg Ward Jr. completed 47 of 67 for a career-high 487 yards and four touchdowns in a losing effort for the Cougars. Wide receiver Linell Bonner also set career highs with 17 receptions for 235 yards and one touchdown.

The loss snapped a three-game winning streak for Houston (9-3, 5-3) as reports of head coach Tom Herman being a candidate at either LSU or Texas continue to swirl. The Cougars fell short as they tried to attain back-to-back, double-digit wins for the first time in school history.

In a wild game, Memphis finished the scoring as Ferguson found Miller cutting across the middle of the field for a 10-yard touchdown reception with 19 seconds remaining. Miller screamed and pumped his arms as a long line of teammates and coaches waited to greet him on the sideline.

The Tigers' touchdown spoiled what nearly was a miracle comeback by Houston. Down 17 points at halftime, the Cougars rallied to seize a 44-41 lead with 1:29 to go in the fourth quarter. Wide receiver Chance Allen secured the late lead with a dazzling 3-yard catch just inside the edge of the end zone.

Houston started to carve into its 17-point deficit when Ward connected with Allen for a 35-yard touchdown early in the third quarter. The play sliced Memphis' lead to 34-24.

The Cougars marched inside Memphis' 10-yard line on their next two possessions but were forced to settle for field goals. Kicker Ty Cummings connected on back-to-back attempts to pull Houston within 34-30 with 13:07 to go in the fourth quarter.

Houston seized a 37-34 lead with 7:02 remaining in the fourth quarter. On fourth-and-1, Bonner shed his defender, caught a pass along the left sideline and sprinted for a 55-yard touchdown.

Ferguson lobbed a touchdown pass to Miller as Memphis regained a 41-37 lead with 3:49 to go. Miller caught the pass with two hands and clutched tightly to the ball as he tumbled to the turf.

Memphis built a 34-17 halftime lead thanks in large part to a pair of touchdown passes from Ferguson to wide receiver Phil Mayhue. Running backs Doroland Dorceus and Darrell Henderson added first-half rushing touchdowns for the Tigers.

Houston netted first-half scores from running back Duke Catalon and tight end Tyler McCloskey.

NOTES: Houston CB Howard Wilson was ejected for targeting with 1:59 to go in the second quarter. Referees disqualified Wilson after reviewing video of his helmet-to-helmet hit against Memphis WR John Williams. ... Memphis WR Anthony Miller hauled in 15 passes for 169 yards, which increased his single-season school record to 1,283 receiving yards. The previous record holder was Isaac Bruce, who tallied 1,054 receiving yards for the Tigers in 1993. ... Houston DT Ed Oliver hobbled off the field in the third quarter. Oliver wore a bulky brace on his right knee. ... Memphis recognized 21 seniors before their final game at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. CB Arthur Maulet, S Chris Morley and PK Jake Elliott, the program's all-time leading scorer, were among the players who were honored.