There was no shortage of chaos under the Friday night lights at the Liberty Bowl.
Ten seconds into the final frame, Memphis wide receiver Gabriel Rogers delivered a 41-yard dime to running back Asa Martin in the end zone on a trick play to hand the Tigers a commanding 26-7 lead over Houston. No margin that wide had been overcome in a fourth quarter in 2022, but Rogers’ touchdown strike did not seal the deal.
Memphis scored on its two remaining possessions, yet, the next time the Tigers possessed the ball, they found themselves trailing. Houston wound up on the right side of an improbable comeback, utilizing a 100-yard kick return touchdown by Jayce Rogers, a 12-play drive which overcame two 4th and long conversions, and an onside kick recovery to register three touchdowns in the final eight minutes of a wild finish.