Friday night’s matchup between Memphis and Tulane had all the makings of a classic, but this time the late-game magic ran out for the Tigers. In a game that swung with momentum shifts and explosive plays, it was Tulane who made the critical stops down the stretch, earning a 38–32 win at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.
The defeat drops Memphis to 8–2 overall and 4–2 in American Conference play, while Tulane moves into the driver’s seat for a spot in the conference championship. For Memphis, the path is still there—but now it requires help.
The Tigers’ defense, ranked among the top 25 nationally, struggled mightily against Tulane’s balanced offense, allowing 457 total yards and three long touchdowns from quarterback Jake Retzlaff. On offense, quarterback Brendon Lewis played through a lingering leg injury and threw for 317 yards, but Memphis couldn’t find consistency on the ground or in pass protection. Running back Sutton Smith, one of the team’s most dynamic weapons, was again used sparingly—something that continues to raise questions about offensive rhythm and play calling.
The loss was frustrating, but not season-ending. Memphis can still reach the American title game if it wins out and gets help from either Tulane or North Texas in the coming weeks.
👉 Read the full in-depth version on our Substack at [Sports View 360] for expanded takeaways, film-based analysis, and what this loss means for the Tigers’ path forward.
