The roar of the crowd in Memphis was deafening as the Tigers triumphed 34-27 over Tulane, effectively sealing the Green Wave’s fate and eliminating any hopes they had of making the College Football Playoff (CFP). It wasn’t just the scoreboard that had fans riled up—it was the way Memphis played, the way they held on against a Tulane team that had hoped to make a serious run for a playoff spot. Now, all that remained were shattered dreams, both for the Green Wave and their passionate supporters.
As the final whistle blew, the Memphis players erupted in celebration. The student section at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium jumped to their feet, chanting, “We own the wave!” Their relentless cheers pierced through the cool December air. This victory wasn’t just another win—it was a statement. Memphis had handed Tulane its second loss of the season, and with it, dashed any remaining hopes for a spot in the playoff race.
Tulane fans, on the other hand, were silent, their eyes glazed over in disbelief. The team had fought tooth and nail all season, overcoming injuries, tough opponents, and adversity, only to come up short in this crucial game. It had been the perfect storm: a loss to a Memphis team that had nothing to lose and everything to prove, combined with their own inability to execute when it mattered most.
From the start, it was clear that Memphis was not just going to roll over for Tulane. They had watched their own hopes for a playoff spot slip away earlier in the season, but that didn’t mean they couldn’t play the role of spoilers. Tulane entered the game as a 9-point favorite, but the Tigers quickly made sure to make every play count. Memphis quarterback, Jake Daniels, was on fire, throwing for over 350 yards and two touchdowns. His precision in the pocket was unmatched, picking apart Tulane’s defense with ruthless efficiency.
Tulane, however, wasn’t going to let go easily. Their offense moved quickly, with Michael Pratt, their star quarterback, finding wide receiver Jha’Quan Jackson for an incredible 70-yard touchdown that briefly gave the Green Wave hope. But every time they began to claw their way back, Memphis would respond. Their defense, though not elite, had a knack for making stops at the most crucial moments, and they did so time and again.
As the game wore on, the tension in the stadium built, with each passing minute eroding Tulane’s confidence. With less than two minutes remaining, the Green Wave found themselves down by seven, but with the ball. It was their final chance to save their season. Pratt dropped back to pass, but Memphis defensive end Marcus Calloway had other plans. With a relentless bull rush, he broke through the line and sacked Pratt on third down, forcing the Green Wave into a do-or-die fourth-and-17. When Pratt’s desperation throw fell incomplete, the game—and Tulane’s playoff hopes—came to a heart-wrenching end.
The Memphis sideline erupted as the final seconds ticked away. For them, this wasn’t just another game. This was revenge, redemption, and the perfect exclamation mark to a season that had fallen short of their own aspirations.
As for Tulane, it was a painful reality check. The Green Wave had entered the game with high hopes, but they would have to wait another year to chase their playoff dreams. The drive home from Memphis was long and silent for their fans, the disappointment sinking in with every passing mile. The images of missed opportunities would linger, but for now, all that remained were the echoes of a dream that had slipped away under the lights of Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium.