Memphis' win against Charlotte comes down to the wire as Seth Henigan's pass to Roc Taylor saves the day.
Injury woes: Defensive back Kobee Minor and running back Greg Desrosiers warmed up in full pads but were in street clothes by kickoff. Brandon Thomas was also suited up but did not play a snap for Memphis.
First half: Charlotte sacks upended Memphis’ first two drives, but the Tiger's third drive ended in a boot-action TD pass to Demeter Blankumsee.
Blankumsee’s catch was Seth Henigan’s 90th career passing touchdown, tying him with Brady White for the program record.
Mario Anderson’s 18 first-half carries told of Memphis’ running back depth.
With under a minute left in the half, the Tigers had a first and goal from the 3-yard line. Brandon Thomas, Memphis' power back, would have helped out here.
The Tigers managed a fourth down from the two-yard line and went for it instead of kicking the chipshot field goal to take the lead heading into the half.
Subsequently, quarterback Seth Henigan threw an interception, ending the half in a tie-ball game.
Run-heavy third quarter: Midway through the third quarter, Mario Anderson limped to the locker room with a lower-body injury.
Freshman and preseason fifth-string running back Makari Bodiford stepped in and totaled seven carries for 73 yards and a touchdown in one drive.
Soon after, Mario Anderson emerged from the locker room and carried in an 11-yard touchdown, giving Memphis a 21-7 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Charlotte strikes back: But the 49ers did not make things easy, as a Deshawn Purdie 39-yard bomb to O’mega Blake made it 21-14.
After another Memphis punt, Charlotte's Cartevious Norton ran in his second score of the day, tying the game up at 21.
Memphis goes for it on 4th & 3 at the Charlotte eight-yard line. A Mario Anderson run comes up a yard short in what was yet another questionable, aggressive decision.
Crazy finish: Charlotte's ensuing possession began at the 6-yard line. After losing yards on their first two plays setting up a 3rd & 14, 49er quarterback Deshawn Purdie rolled out, and Memphis defensive back DJ Bell made a play on the ball. Bell secured the interception after a couple of bobbles as he fell out of bounds.
But Memphis could not capitalize like they needed to and settled for three.
Charlotte followed that up with a two-play touchdown drive, taking the lead with 80 seconds remaining.
So there it was. Seth Henigan had just over a minute to reclaim the lead and keep conference title hopes alive.
On a 3rd & 9 from Memphis territory, things looked grim.
But a 14-yard Roc Taylor grab kept Memphis' hopes alive, followed by an athletic 25-yard Anthony Landphere reception over the middle.
And Roc Taylor finished what he kept alive. Taylor's 24-yard touchdown catch gave Memphis a 31-28 lead.
After Charlotte's special teams blunder gave the 49ers the ball at their own 4-yard line with 31 seconds remaining, William Whitlow Jr.'s endzone sack gave Memphis a 33-28 lead and ended the game.
Standouts:
Seth Henigan: 20/32, 212 YDs, 2 TDs, 1 INT
Mario Anderson: 32 Carries, 141 YDs, 1 TD
Chandler Martin: 10 TKL, 1.5 sacks
DJ Bell: 4 TKL, 1 INT, 1 PBU
Roc Taylor: 6 REC, 99 YDs, 1 TD
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