Cincinnati QB Hayden Moore has record-setting night in loss to Memphis
Cincinnati quarterback Hayden Moore had a record-setting night against Memphis on Thursday, but it was his final pass that defined the evening.
With less than a minute remaining and his team down seven, Moore methodically took the Bearcats from their 20-yard line to the Memphis 20-yard line, and with two timeout had the tying score in sight.
Moore had been calm and collected throughout the drive, but when he feared he was going to be sacked with 17 seconds remaining, he hurled the ball toward running back Tion Green, who had it glance off his hands and into the waiting arms of Memphis defender Leonard Pegues sealing a 53-46 Memphis win.
It was a devastating ending to a night that saw Moore come off the bench and throw for a school-record 557 yards and four touchdowns in relief of starter Gunner Kiel, who was knocked out of the game following a vicious hit. Kiel, who missed most of the second half of last week’s game with a concussion, left the field on a stretcher and was ultimately transported to a hospital. He was conscious and had feeling in all of his extremities.
Moore came in and played better than most freshmen would have in a similar situation. Even though he did have another interception earlier in the contest, he kept Cincinnati in the game as the Bearcats went toe-to-toe with one of the nation’s best offenses.
It was a back and forth affair where the teams traded scores on nearly every possession. The score was tied at 46 with less than six minutes remaining when Memphis quarterback Paxton Lynch drove his team all the way down the field resulting in a 3-yard touchdown run by Sam Craft to put the Tigers up a score.
Lynch finished with 412 yards and two touchdowns and also rushed 11 times for 52 yards.
With the win, Memphis is 4-0 for the first time as a member of the FBS.
For more Cincinnati news, visit BearcatReport.com.
For more Memphis news, TigerSportsReport.com.
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Graham Watson is the editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter! Follow @YahooDrSaturday
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