MEMPHIS, Tenn. — After a field goal gave them a 24-21 lead with just 1:56 left to play, the Memphis Tigers felt pretty confident of their chances to win. The pressure got ramped up instantly when Charlotte scored with in just 36 seconds to take a 28-24 lead.
Enter Seth Henigan. The fourth year senior, who holds just about every Memphis Tigers quarterback record, had just a 1:20 seconds to save the Tigers season. The Memphis offense ran a perfectly executed two-minute drill punctuated by a Henigan to Roc Taylor 24 yard touchdown pass to secure a 31-28 lead. Memphis would ice the game with a safety to secure a 33-28 win.
The touchdown, one of two Henigan had on the day to go along with 212 yards, set the Memphis all-time record for touchdown passes (91) passing Brady White. It's a situation the senior has been in a ton of times in his four year career.
"Those guys are calm, cool, and collected," said head coach Ryan Silverfield. "That's the way you want to see guys execute. Find ways to churn it out when it's all said and done. Game winning drive in that for or fashion, whether it's years past, practices past. It all came to fruition."
"It's a great feeling to hold a program record I guess, especially with how long Memphis has been playing football for," Henigan said. "It's just a longevity thing really. Being able to be available, because availability is better than ability. Staying healthy throughout the years and just trying to execute on Saturdays."
Henigan named off all the receivers, tight ends, and running backs he's had that led to the record and the offensive line up front.
The Tigers finished the game with 424 total yards. Mario Anderson rushed for 141 yards and a touchdown. It's his fifth game of 100 yards or more. Taylor finished with 99 yards receiving and a touchdown on six receptions.
The defense came up big when it needed to. They forced two turnovers, including an interception by DJ Bell that led to the 24-21 field goal late in the fourth quarter. Chandler Martin led the way with 10 tackles and two sacks.
Memphis will now hit the road. They face UTSA next Saturday at 11am in San Antonio.
