Memphis downs Iowa State 36-26 to win first Liberty Bowl ever, finish 10-3

About half of the Memphis Tigers’ football games at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium typically end with them running out of the tunnel.

But Memphis usually gives up on that location after November passes and doesn’t use it again until August or September of the next year. However, the Tigers took part in the Liberty Bowl, which is hosted at their home stadium, for the second time in the program’s history.

Memphis’ explosive offenses have helped them establish a national reputation during the last ten years. The Tigers started the game with 19 straight points in the first quarter, showcasing this year’s explosive squad. After quarterback Seth Henigan connected with DeMeer Blankumsee for a 70-yard touchdown pass less than 80 seconds into the contest, the de facto home team continued to produce big plays. With a QB keeper, Henigan extended the lead to 13-0. He then manufactured a 19-0 lead over the Cyclones by hitting Joe Scates for a 51-yard air mail play.

Iowa State pulled off a brief comeback, cutting the deficit to one point with 13 straight points in the second quarter. However, a strange play by Memphis turned the tide in the Tigers’ favor for the rest of the contest. The Tigers attempted a fake kneeldown before halftime in a play against Memphis in the 2016 Boca Raton Bowl game against WKU, and they gained 21 yards on the trick play. Memphis was able to enter Iowa State territory thanks to that play call, and kicker Tanner Gillis made a career-long 49-yard field goal to give the Tigers a multi-score lead that they maintained throughout the second half.

Memphis increased its lead to 36-13 early in the third quarter with two touchdowns. One of the game’s main highlights was the second of the two touchdowns, which came from running back Sutton Smith, who blasted past the Cyclones on a third down screen after dodging three defenders and scoring 48 yards.

Even though Memphis appeared to be in complete control up 23 in the second half, Iowa State had enough offensive firepower to keep things challenging. When it looked like there was no chance left, the Cyclones converted a third and 26 deep in their own territory, and two plays later, Rocco Becht and Easton Dean connected for a touchdown. Iowa State took advantage with another touchdown after the Tigers missed yet another crucial opportunity with a short field goal. But after missing their two-point attempt, the Cyclones didn’t cut the lead to just one point, allowing Memphis to maintain a multi-point lead for the duration of the game.

Iowa State had enough offensive firepower to keep things interesting even though Memphis appeared to be in complete control up 23 in the second half. Rocco Becht and Easton Dean connected for a touchdown two plays after the Cyclones successfully converted a third and 26 deep in their own territory when all seemed lost. Iowa State scored another touchdown after the Tigers missed a short field goal, wasting yet another important opportunity. Memphis led by several points for the duration of the game, though the Cyclones failed to cut the lead to just one point after missing their two-point attempt.