Navy vs. Memphis Short Report | Sep 14, 2023
Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium
Memphis, TN
Sep 14, 2023
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Game Recap
The Memphis Tigers faced off against the Navy Midshipmen in a thrilling Week 3 matchup. Memphis struck first with a 7-yard touchdown run by Blake Watson within the first 5 minutes, quickly answered by Navy's Alex Tecza with a 75-yard rushing score only nine seconds later. Memphis responded late in the second quarter with a Roc Taylor 7-yard touchdown reception to knot the game at 14-14 heading into halftime.
Memphis took the lead in the opening drive of the third quarter with a 1-yard touchdown run by Seth Henigan. Despite a strong push from Navy, including a rare 16-yard passing touchdown from Regis Velez and a clutch 36-yard field goal from Nathan Kirkwood to close the gap, the Tigers secured a hard-fought 28-24 victory. The game was marked by key defensive stops, notably Josh Ellison's sack of Tai Lavatai with under a minute left to halt Navy's final drive.
Key Plays:
Blake Watson (Memphis Tigers)
Rushed for 7 yards to put Memphis on the board first, showcasing his agility and opening up the game with a critical early score.
Alex Tecza (Navy Midshipmen)
Burst through the defense for an electric 75-yard touchdown run, immediately responding to Memphis's initial score and demonstrating Navy's big-play capability.
Regis Velez (Navy Midshipmen)
Caught a perfectly timed 16-yard pass to give Navy its first lead of the game, highlighting the Midshipmen's passing prowess and adding pressure on the Memphis defense.
Roc Taylor (Memphis Tigers)
Snagged a 7-yard touchdown pass in a critical moment before the half, ensuring the Tigers went into the locker room level and with momentum on their side.
Seth Henigan (Memphis Tigers)
Converted a clutch 1-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter, demonstrating his versatility and giving Memphis a much-needed lead.
Anton Hall Jr. (Navy Midshipmen)
Punched in a 2-yard touchdown to tie the game at 21-21, keeping Navy in contention and showing resilience against the Tigers' defensive front.
Seth Henigan (Memphis Tigers)
Rushed for his second touchdown of the game, this time from 3 yards out, pushing Memphis ahead and underscoring his leadership on the field.
Nathan Kirkwood (Navy Midshipmen)
Nailed a 36-yard field goal to narrow the Tigers' lead to just four points, keeping Navy within striking distance as the clock wound down.
Josh Ellison (Memphis Tigers)
Sacked Tai Lavatai for a crucial 2-yard loss, stalling Navy's last-ditch effort to reclaim the lead and sealing the Tigers' victory.
Standout Players:
Blake Watson (Memphis Tigers, RB)
Rushed for 169 yards on 10 carries, breaking free for a spectacular 69-yard run that showcased his speed and vision. Also caught 6 passes for 68 yards, adding versatility to his outstanding performance.
Seth Henigan (Memphis Tigers, QB)
Displayed excellent dual-threat capabilities by completing 23 of 35 passes for 218 yards and a touchdown while adding two rushing touchdowns on the ground, exhibiting poise and effective game management.
Alex Tecza (Navy Midshipmen, FB)
Amassed 163 yards on 15 carries, including a blistering 75-yard touchdown run that instantly countered Memphis's opening score. His rushing efforts kept Navy competitive throughout the game.
Tai Lavatai (Navy Midshipmen, QB)
Completed 10 of 19 passes for 133 yards and added a key touchdown pass while also rushing 14 times for 30 yards, showcasing his endurance and versatility under pressure.
Josh Ellison (Memphis Tigers, DL)
Anchored the defensive line with 7 solo tackles, an assisted tackle, a tackle for loss, and a crucial sack in the game’s final moments to preserve Memphis's lead.
Team
1
2
3
4
T
Navy Midshipmen
14
0
7
3
24
Memphis Tigers
7
7
7
7
28
