TicketsMEMPHIS, Tenn. - The No. 20 University of Cincinnati football team saw its bid for an American Athletic Conference Football Championship come up just short in a 29-24 loss to No. 17 Memphis on Saturday in Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium.
The Bearcats (10-3) saw a late drive come up just short as they drove to the Memphis 26, but a fourth-down incompletion and holding penalty turned the ball over to the Tigers.
"We didn't find a way," UC Head Coach Luke Fickell said of falling short. "We didn't have the answers there at the end. But it wasn't for lack of preparation. It wasn't from a lack of fight and it certainly wasn't from a lack of care and love for every one of those guys in that locker room."
It was closer than the season-finale between these eight days ago, which Memphis won 34-24, earning the right to host this game. This time, Cincinnati had starting quarterback Desmond Ridder available. Ridder, who was nursing a sore shoulder the first game, brought stability to the Cincinnati offense and the ability to scramble out of trouble.
Ridder threw for 233 yards and ran for 113 more, including a 15-yard touchdown in the first half as Cincinnati took a 14-10 lead into the break.
In the second half, Memphis benefited from a pair of field goals – 52 and 50 yards — by kicker Riley Patterson as the teams exchanged leads.
Cincinnati had taken a 24-23 lead with 4:23 left on Sam Crosa's 33-yard field goal.
Memphis QB Brady White's 6-yard pass to Antonio Gibson for a touchdown with 1:14 left proved to be the deciding score as Memphis (12-1) likely clinched a Cotton Bowl Invitation.
On the game-winning scoring drive, the Tigers leaned on Gibson, who capped the march corralling the TD pass. Gibson was the workhorse during the drive, carrying the ball five straight times for 23 yards, giving Memphis third-and goal from the Bearcat 6.
On the play, Gibson split right instead of lining up in the backfield. He came in motion, caught the screen pass from quarterback Brady White and with three blockers in front of him, skirted in for the winning touchdown.
Gibson ran for 130 yards, including a 65-yard TD dash.
White, a second-team all-conference selection, completed just 18 of 40 passes for 253 yards. Memphis was able to remain close with Patterson's field goals.
POLL IMPLICATIONS
The victory should assure Memphis of the top spot in the Group of Five and move the Tigers up in the rankings. As for Cincinnati, two straight losses to Memphis could drop the Bearcats even lower or out of the rankings altogether.
NO CLEAR EVIDENCE
A key play came with 6:24 left and the Bearcats facing fourth-and-1 at the Tigers 26. Ridder tried to make it on a sneak and appeared short. But Michael Warren II pushed the quarterback ahead. After the play was reviewed, officials said there was no video evidence that there were 12 men on the field — another consideration — or to overturn the spot, thus giving Cincinnati a first down at the Tigers 25. That would lead to Sam Crosa's 33-yard field goal to put the Bearcats up 24-23.
The Bearcats bowl destination will be announced Sunday afternoon.
Portions of the Associated Press game recap was utilized in this story.
The Bearcats (10-3) saw a late drive come up just short as they drove to the Memphis 26, but a fourth-down incompletion and holding penalty turned the ball over to the Tigers.
"We didn't find a way," UC Head Coach Luke Fickell said of falling short. "We didn't have the answers there at the end. But it wasn't for lack of preparation. It wasn't from a lack of fight and it certainly wasn't from a lack of care and love for every one of those guys in that locker room."
It was closer than the season-finale between these eight days ago, which Memphis won 34-24, earning the right to host this game. This time, Cincinnati had starting quarterback Desmond Ridder available. Ridder, who was nursing a sore shoulder the first game, brought stability to the Cincinnati offense and the ability to scramble out of trouble.
Ridder threw for 233 yards and ran for 113 more, including a 15-yard touchdown in the first half as Cincinnati took a 14-10 lead into the break.
In the second half, Memphis benefited from a pair of field goals – 52 and 50 yards — by kicker Riley Patterson as the teams exchanged leads.
Cincinnati had taken a 24-23 lead with 4:23 left on Sam Crosa's 33-yard field goal.
Memphis QB Brady White's 6-yard pass to Antonio Gibson for a touchdown with 1:14 left proved to be the deciding score as Memphis (12-1) likely clinched a Cotton Bowl Invitation.
On the game-winning scoring drive, the Tigers leaned on Gibson, who capped the march corralling the TD pass. Gibson was the workhorse during the drive, carrying the ball five straight times for 23 yards, giving Memphis third-and goal from the Bearcat 6.
On the play, Gibson split right instead of lining up in the backfield. He came in motion, caught the screen pass from quarterback Brady White and with three blockers in front of him, skirted in for the winning touchdown.
Gibson ran for 130 yards, including a 65-yard TD dash.
White, a second-team all-conference selection, completed just 18 of 40 passes for 253 yards. Memphis was able to remain close with Patterson's field goals.
POLL IMPLICATIONS
The victory should assure Memphis of the top spot in the Group of Five and move the Tigers up in the rankings. As for Cincinnati, two straight losses to Memphis could drop the Bearcats even lower or out of the rankings altogether.
NO CLEAR EVIDENCE
A key play came with 6:24 left and the Bearcats facing fourth-and-1 at the Tigers 26. Ridder tried to make it on a sneak and appeared short. But Michael Warren II pushed the quarterback ahead. After the play was reviewed, officials said there was no video evidence that there were 12 men on the field — another consideration — or to overturn the spot, thus giving Cincinnati a first down at the Tigers 25. That would lead to Sam Crosa's 33-yard field goal to put the Bearcats up 24-23.
The Bearcats bowl destination will be announced Sunday afternoon.
Portions of the Associated Press game recap was utilized in this story.