Desrosiers Shatters Tulane's College Football Playoff Hopes
Memphis' Greg Desrosiers Jr. showcased his prowess on the field with two touchdown receptions and one rushing touchdown, leading his team to a 34-24 victory over the No. 18-ranked Tulane Green Wave. This significant win not only brought Memphis' season to 10-2 but effectively eliminated Tulane from the race for the College Football Playoff (CFP) berth.
This clash occurred at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Thursday night, marking the end of Tulane's eight-game winning streak and heralding Memphis' consecutive 10-win seasons for the first time in the program's history.
Initially, Tulane appeared poised for success, drawing first blood with wide receiver Mario Williams scoring the only lead of the game on a 7-yard touchdown reception, putting them up 10-7 late in the first. Yet, Memphis quickly regained control, thanks to Desrosiers' 25-yard catch-and-run, which shifted the momentum back to the Tigers.
Tulane head coach Jon Sumrall voiced his frustrations after the game, citing costly mistakes as pivotal. "You can’t have the kind of mistakes we had," he lamented, referring to three turnovers which sprang from deep passes executed by Tulane's Darian Mensah.
Two significant turnovers occurred when Tulane's players fumbled after long yardage receptions, both times failing to convert their drives to scores. Davion Ross intercepted another of Mensah's passes, providing Memphis with the momentum they needed to shuttle the ball downfield effectively. Memphis capped off their decisive victory with Mario Anderson Jr.'s impressive 47-yard touchdown run.
Memphis quarterback Seth Henigan had himself quite the night too, completing 22 of 29 passes for 218 yards without turnovers, adding two touchdowns to his name. Henigan's efforts also distinguished him as the American Athletic Conference's all-time leading passer with 13,972 career yards.
Desrosiers' achievements didn't just stop there, as he contributed to Memphis’ total of 454 offensive yards against a previously formidable Tulane defense, which had surrendered only nine points over the last three games combined prior to this match.
Despite Tulane's second-half effort to mount back, they were thwarted by Memphis' staunch defensive plays. Allowing the Tigers to capitalize on the Green Wave's errors proved devastating. Coach Sumrall conceded, "If those three turnovers don’t happen, we’re probably talking about a final play to figure out who the winner is." His disappointment was palpable as he noted Tulane's struggle against Memphis' defense, which significantly disrupted their usual run game.
The game served as both triumph and heartbreak – for Memphis, it was about restoration and momentum, refusing to let earlier defeats deter their spirit. For Tulane, it painted the stark reality of how swiftly fortunes can turn on the football field, though the Green Wave still has another chance, as they prepare to clash against Army on December 6 for the American Athletic Conference Championship.
Memphis viewed this battle as redemption, especially after their previous two conference losses which had largely overshadowed their season. Desrosiers said, “We could have easily held our heads down ... but we know what we're capable of.” This shared mentality pushed Memphis to exceed expectations, and they played inspired football, proving they are worthy competitors.
Throughout the game, the tension was palpable, particularly as each team battled for momentum, but Memphis emerged more effectively suited to the challenge. Conversion rates highlighted their preparation; Memphis converted 10 of 16 third downs which significantly aided their scoring ability. Tulane's star players couldn't find rhythm, with the usually-effective receiver squad struggling to hold onto catches and maintain possession against Memphis' relentless pressure.
The aftermath of the match will resonate as voters decide on the latest AP Top 25 rankings, where Tulane may potentially drop from their hopeful position, and focus will shift to the conference championship. The stakes remain high as Memphis awaits their chance at exhilarating postseason play, with hopes to secure their position within the bowl lineup.
Following this unpredictable match-up, Memphis eagerly anticipates their next challenge, now relishing their victory and bolstered by their newfound confidence. The Tigers have reclaimed their edge, showing resilience as they gear up for what lies next. This season has proven to be full of surprises, and one can only ponder what exciting moments await as college football progresses toward its climax.
Overall, this game not only disrupted Tulane's aspirations but also firmly established Memphis as contenders to take seriously moving forward. With confidence surging through their ranks, the Tigers are set to tackle the future and leave their mark on the season.
