In the heart of December, on a crisp evening at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, the Memphis Tigers surged to an electrifying 38-24 victory over the West Virginia Mountaineers in the Scooter’s Coffee Frisco Bowl. The night was a showcase of grit, strategy, and raw athleticism as Memphis proved its mettle, delivering an unforgettable performance.
From the first whistle, Memphis set the tone, with their explosive offense led by quarterback Seth Henigan. The sophomore had been under pressure all week, but he came out sharp, throwing accurate passes and showing poise in the pocket. Henigan’s connection with wide receiver Gabriel Rogers was undeniable. Early in the first quarter, Henigan found Rogers deep down the left sideline, and Rogers juked a West Virginia defender, sprinting into the end zone for a 42-yard touchdown. The crowd erupted, Memphis leading 7-0.
West Virginia, however, wasn’t about to back down. Quarterback Garrett Greene responded with his own flair. The Mountaineers’ offense began to click in the second quarter as Greene connected with wideout Devin Carter for a 35-yard strike that tied the game at 7-7. The back-and-forth exchange energized both fanbases, filling the stadium with tension and excitement.
Memphis, hungry to reassert its dominance, quickly went back to work. Running back Brandon Thomas proved to be the workhorse the Tigers needed. On a crucial drive late in the second quarter, Thomas powered through the West Virginia defense, bulldozing his way for 30 yards, setting up a touchdown run from the five-yard line. The Tigers’ lead grew to 14-7, but West Virginia wasn’t finished. They fought back, aided by a series of penalties on Memphis, which allowed the Mountaineers to march down the field. As the half came to a close, Greene orchestrated a beautiful 11-play, 75-yard drive, culminating in a touchdown pass to tight end Mike O’Laughlin. The score was now tied again at 14-14.
The halftime locker rooms were filled with fire and focus, with both teams knowing the next 30 minutes would decide the game. When the second half began, Memphis came out with newfound intensity. Their defense, which had been shaky at times, tightened up, stifling the Mountaineers’ ground game and pressuring Greene into hurried throws. The Tigers’ linebacker, Jalen Allen, was everywhere—racking up tackles and playing a key role in shutting down West Virginia’s momentum.
In the third quarter, Henigan showed his true leadership. He engineered a masterful drive that was punctuated by a 10-yard touchdown pass to tight end Caden Prieskorn, putting Memphis up 21-14. The Tigers weren’t done yet. On the ensuing possession, a critical interception by cornerback Quindell Johnson set up another quick strike, this time a dazzling 50-yard touchdown by receiver Eddie Lewis, who made a defender miss with a slick juke before racing into the end zone. Memphis now led 28-14, and West Virginia’s hopes were dwindling.
The Mountaineers responded with a touchdown of their own early in the fourth, as Greene connected with Carter for another impressive 22-yard score. The game wasn’t over yet. West Virginia’s defense managed to slow Memphis for a few drives, but when the Tigers needed a play to seal the win, Henigan delivered. With just over four minutes remaining, Henigan orchestrated a methodical drive, running down the clock, eventually handing the ball to Brandon Thomas for a game-clinching 8-yard touchdown run. Memphis now held a commanding 38-24 lead.
The final whistle blew, and the Memphis Tigers had emerged victorious. The players stormed the field in celebration, their hard work and determination rewarded. Henigan had proven himself as a rising star, while the Tigers’ defense had displayed resilience and strength in the face of adversity. Memphis had claimed the Scooter’s Coffee Frisco Bowl, and with it, a moment of triumph that would be etched in their memories forever.