Tigers Fall At Ole Miss Saturday

Saturday, October 1

Oxford, Miss.

6:00 PM

University of Memphis

3-1

#16/17 Ole Miss

3-2

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Memphis

Ole Miss

Photo by: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

Oct 01, 2016 | Football

Box Score Postgame Notes Ole Miss 48, Memphis 28 VIDEO: Game Highlights VIDEO: Coach Norvell Press Conference

Memphis back home vs. Temple Thursday.

OXFORD, Miss. – Many times the team that wins the turnover battle also wins the game.

For the first time in three weeks, the University of Memphis football squad lost the takeaway fight and also dropped a 48-28 decision to No. 16/17 Ole Miss at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium Saturday. The Rebels had a +3 turnover advantage with three interceptions and one fumble recovery. Memphis' lone takeaway was Arthur Maulet's interception in the fourth quarter.

Quarterback Riley Ferguson was 30-of-46 passing for 343 yards and three interceptions. His completions (30; T11^th), attempts (46; T13^th) and yards (343; T20^th) all are in the top-20 for a game in program history. Ferguson also ran for two scores, the first multiple-rushing touchdown game of his career.

Anthony Miller was Ferguson's favorite target. Miller hauled in 10 passes for 132 yards. It was his fifth career 100-yard receiving game and his second this season. The 10 catches tied a career high for Miller, who also ran for a touchdown Saturday. Phil Mayhue had six receptions for 69 yards. With his first catch in the first quarter, Mayhue extended his consecutive-game-with-a-reception streak to 20 straight.

Doroland Dorceus led the Tigers ground attack with 72 yards on 14 carries and one touchdown.

The past two weeks, Memphis played error-free football, with no miscues and 10 takeaways (6 interceptions/4 fumble recoveries). But, that was not the case Saturday.

Ole Miss took advantage, scoring 14 points off the Tigers' miscues. A Tigers' first-quarter interception was returned for a score to increase the Rebels' lead to 14-0. Then, late in the second quarter, a Memphis fumble turned into another touchdown before halftime.

After the intermission, the Tigers came out with some fire. An Ole Miss field goal increased the Rebels' lead to 27-7, but Memphis responded with a little special teams help.

The Tigers began their first drive of the second half on their own 25, and after four plays gained only two yards, Memphis was forced to punt. Or so it seemed. The Tigers pulled a fake punt with punter Spencer Smith connecting with Maulet for a 12-yard pass play to keep the drive going. Three plays later, Dorceus scored from two yards out to slice the Ole Miss lead to 27-14.

The Memphis defense then did its part, halting a Rebels' drive at midfield. The Ole Miss special teams, though, pinned the Tigers at the 1-yard line.

The Tigers did not flinch. Ferguson drove the offense 99 yards in 13 plays that culminated in a one-yard scoring run from the Memphis signal caller. The touchdown cut the Rebels' lead to 27-21.

That was the closest Memphis got the rest of the game. Ole Miss converted two Tigers' special teams mistakes – kickoff out-of-bounds, short punt – into touchdowns to extend its lead back to 20 points at 41-21 early in the fourth quarter.

Genard Avery and Jonathan Cook each had nine total tackles to lead the Memphis defense. Cook also added two pass break-ups. Maulet had five total stops and one pass break-up to go with his fourth-quarter interception.

The Tigers have completed the non-conference portion of their 2016 schedule. Memphis now turns its focus to the start of the American Athletic Conference campaign that opens against Temple Thursday, Oct. 6 at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. Game time is 7 p.m. (CT), and ESPN is televising the contest.