MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Memphis Tigers (6-1, 2-1) outlasted the North Texas Mean Green (5-2, 2-1) in the definition of a classic shootout, 52-44 at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 19.
Memphis survived three ties and six lead changes to grab their sixth win of the season and officially bowl eligible for the 11th straight year and keep their hopes of going to the AAC Title game and potentially the College Football Playoffs alive.
Mario Anderson Jr. scored four touchdowns in the win and rushed for 183 yards while also catching for another 27. It was a statement performance from the running back who last week was ejected in the first half due to spitting on a player. His four touchdowns are the most he's ever scored in a singular game and also tie the school record for most rushing TDs in a game.
Seth Henigan was near perfect in the win, completing 24 of 38 as he threw for 319 yards, 1 touchdown and no interceptions while also rushing for another 9 yards and a TD.
Meanwhile three receivers finished with more than 70 receiving yards - Demeer Blankumsee led the team with 96 yards and a touchdown while Koby Drake had 82 and Roc Taylor finished with 73.
Memphis tallied 526 total yards of offense which was more than 100 yards less than North Texas' 653.
The Tigers looked clinical on offense on their opening drive going 75 yards on nine plays ending with a four-yard touchdown run from Seth Henigan. But the Mean Green returned serve and it only took one play, a 75-yard run from DT Sheffield. It was the first of three touchdowns from North Texas on their opening three offensive drives to lead the Tigers 21-14.
Memphis' defense started to find answers to North Texas' high-powered and fast paces offense, putting stops to the Mean Green's next five drives. During that time Memphis's offense was able to both tie the game and take the lead thanks to touchdowns from both Brandon Thomas and Anderson.
Memphis took a 28-24 lead into halftime but the second half immediately turned into another shootout.
North Texas scored first off a Chandler Morris to Sheffield 9-yard TD pass. Henigan made sure Memphis would retake the lead with a 62-yard bomb to Blankumsee. That TD pass from Henigan puts him one off from tying the school record of TD passes thrown.
Morris then rushed for 49 yards to put North Texas back in front but Anderson would score back-to-back touchdowns to give Memphis a two-score lead, 49-38.
But once again North Texas scored to make it a one score game, 49-44. Memphis added a 43-yard field goal to extend their lead to 52 with 1.05 left in the game. The FG came off the boot of kickoff specialist, Tristian Vanderberg who replaced Caden Costa after he missed a 32-yard attempt in the second quarter.
North Texas drove into the red zone on the final drive but Chandler Martin picked off Morris in the end zone to end the game.
Memphis now gets ready to welcome in 2-4 Charlotte to Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium on Saturday at 11 a.m. CT.