Memphis Football 2017: Tigers demolish East Carolina

If there’s ever a time for the expression “run out of the gym” to be applied on the gridiron this was it. Memphis football dismantled ECU in their regular season finale.

The Memphis Tigers, on the heels of an incredible 49-0 halftime lead, made quick work of the lowly East Carolina Pirates in their final game of the regular season. The lopsided halftime score was the largest halftime margin of any game between two FBS teams this season.

Everything was going right for the Tigers on Saturday. Entering the fourth quarter they had attempted four plays on third down. That’s due in part to the tremendous amount of success they had on first and second down. Memphis churned out 635 yards of total offense, averaging 9.8 yards per carry and 20.1 yards per pass attempt. Their offense was so efficient that East Carolina doubled up Memphis in time of possession, 40 minutes to 20 minutes in favor of the Pirates.

Quarterback Riley Ferguson completed just 9 of 13 attempts for a staggering 299 yards and three touchdowns. All three of his touchdown passes came well outside the redzone.  Anthony Miller scored from 89 yards out, Damontre Coxie from 61 yards and Phil Mayhue from 46 yards away.

The defense and special teams got in on the fireworks too. Memphis forced three turnovers, one of which was returned for a touchdown by senior defensive back Jonathan Cook.  Tony Pollard answered ECU’s first touchdown of the day with a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the third quarter.

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After their second touchdown of the second half, Memphis crossed 60 points scored for the third time this year. That’s tied with Central Florida for the most 60+ point games in the FBS this season. The Tigers face UCF in the AAC Championship Game next weekend with the winner claiming a New Year’s Six Bowl berth.