University of Houston
8-4 , 5-3
Memphis
8-4 , 5-3
Houston Falls to Memphis on Friday
11/23/2018 2:42:00 PM | Football
Freshman quarterback Clayton Tune throws for 256 yards & 3 TDs
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – University of Houston freshman quarterback Clayton Tune threw for 256 yards and three touchdowns, but it would not be enough as the Cougars fell 52-31 at Memphis on Friday inside the Liberty Bowl in the regular-season finale for both teams.
Making the first start of his career after an injury sidelined starter D'Eriq King, Tune led the Cougars to a touchdown on their opening drive and completed 18-of-43 passes with two touchdown passes to Keith Corbin and another score to Terry Mark.
However, Memphis accounted for more than 600 yards of total offense, including 401 rushing with six rushing TDs, and scored 21 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to take the win.
After the Houston defense forced a three-and-out on Memphis' first possession of the game Tune led the Cougars on a 9-play, 73-yard drive that was capped by his 33-yard touchdown pass to Mark with 11:37 remaining in the opening period.
The Cougars took a 21-17 lead into the locker room at halftime but trailed 31-24 when Memphis' Tony Pollard plunged into the end zone from six yards out with 2:41 left in the third quarter.
Tune and the Cougars quickly responded. Following a 41-yard kickoff return by sophomore Marquez Stevenson and three rushes from junior Mulbah Car and redshirt freshman wide receiver Jeremy Singleton, Tune hit Corbin on a slant, and the junior wide receiver outraced the Memphis defenders to the end zone to tie the game at 31-31.
Unfortunately, the Cougars could not sustain their offensive momentum in the final period and were held to a punt, turnover on downs and interception on their first three fourth-quarter possessions while Memphis used two rushing touchdowns from Darrell Henderson and another rushing score from Patrick Taylor for the final margin of victory.
Stevenson led all Houston receivers with six receptions, while senior Raelon Singleton added a team-high 67 receiving yards. Junior running back Patrick Carr added 83 rushing yards on 12 carries.
Junior All-American defensive lineman Ed Oliver returned to the Cougars' starting lineup after suffering a knee injury. He finished the day with three tackles, including two solo stops, with one for a loss of four yards, and a pass breakup.
Henderson led Memphis with 178 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while Taylor finished with 128 rushing yards and a pair of scores. Pollard led the Tigers with eight receptions for 116 yards.
UP NEXT
With the completion of their regular season, the Cougars will wait to learn their bowl destination. Fans should stay tuned to UHCougars.com and Houston Football's social media sites for the latest information.
Team Stats
HOU 7, MEM 0
HOU - MARK, Terry 33 yd pass from TUNE, Clayton (WITHERSPOON, Da kick) 9 plays, 73 yards, TOP 1:58
HOU 7, MEM 3
MEM - PATTERSON, R. 35 yd field goal 7 plays, 81 yards, TOP 2:23
HOU 7, MEM 10
MEM - TAYLOR, Patrick 7 yd run (PATTERSON, R. kick), 6 plays, 69 yards, TOP 2:08
HOU 7, MEM 17
MEM - MAGNIFICO, Joey 9 yd pass from WHITE, Brady (PATTERSON, R. kick) 8 plays, 50 yards, TOP 2:08
HOU 14, MEM 17
HOU - CORBIN, Keith 3 yd pass from TUNE, Clayton (WITHERSPOON, Da kick) 9 plays, 66 yards, TOP 2:55
HOU 21, MEM 17
HOU - SPREWELL, Gleso 63 yd interception (WITHERSPOON, Da kick)
HOU 21, MEM 24
MEM - CRAFT, Sam 28 yd run (PATTERSON, R. kick), 13 plays, 86 yards, TOP 4:28
HOU 24, MEM 24
HOU - WITHERSPOON, Da 44 yd field goal 9 plays, 48 yards, TOP 2:00
HOU 24, MEM 31
MEM - POLLARD, Tony 6 yd run (PATTERSON, R. kick), 5 plays, 45 yards, TOP 1:35
HOU 31, MEM 31
HOU - CORBIN, Keith 45 yd pass from TUNE, Clayton (WITHERSPOON, Da kick) 4 plays, 56 yards, TOP 1:01
HOU 31, MEM 38
MEM - TAYLOR, Patrick 1 yd run (PATTERSON, R. kick), 9 plays, 65 yards, TOP 4:30
HOU 31, MEM 45
MEM - HENDERSON, D. 60 yd run (PATTERSON, R. kick), 2 plays, 71 yards, TOP 0:43
HOU 31, MEM 52
MEM - HENDERSON, D. 1 yd run (PATTERSON, R. kick), 5 plays, 18 yards, TOP 2:24
