For the second consecutive Thursday night, East Carolina saw its hopes of an overtime victory end with an interception.
Memphis defensive back Ellis Ellis Jr. intercepted Mitch Griffis in the end zone on first-and-goal from the 4-yard line Thursday night, preserving a 41-34 victory over the Pirates at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.
The interception came after ECU rallied to force overtime on a dramatic 20-yard touchdown pass from Griffis to Landon Sides on fourth-and-9 with 1:32 remaining in regulation.
The Pirates (3-4, 1-2 American) suffered their second consecutive overtime defeat, following last week’s 30-17 loss at UAB. Memphis improved to 6-2 overall and 3-1 in American Conference play.
How it happened
East Carolina controlled much of the first half, building a 16-3 lead behind a pair of Noah Perez field goals, a 1-yard touchdown run by Ashton Gray and a 49-yard field goal by Perez as the half expired.
But Memphis came roaring back after halftime.
Quarterback Marcus Stokes connected with Jermane Hayes on a 59-yard touchdown pass just 1:18 into the third quarter, cutting ECU’s lead to 16-10.
The Pirates answered with a 4-yard touchdown run by TJ Engleman Jr. and a successful two-point conversion, extending their advantage to 24-10.
Stokes then threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Jemyri Davis, and Philippe Laforge added a 34-yard field goal to bring Memphis within 24-20 entering the fourth quarter.
Perez kicked a 40-yard field goal early in the final period, but Memphis took its first lead of the game when Stokes found Davis for a 4-yard touchdown with 9:50 remaining.
Stokes added a 2-yard touchdown run with 3:32 left, putting Memphis ahead 34-27.
ECU responded with its most dramatic drive of the night. Facing fourth-and-9 from the Memphis 20, Griffis connected with Sides for the tying touchdown with 1:32 remaining. Perez’s extra point made it 34-34.
Memphis received the ball first in overtime and needed just two plays to score, with Stokes finishing the possession on a 5-yard touchdown run.
The Pirates answered by moving from the Memphis 25 to the 4, with Griffis completing passes to Sides and Ismael Smith Flores.
But on first-and-goal, Griffis lofted a pass toward Sides on the right side of the end zone. Sides and a Memphis defender engaged in hand-fighting as the ball arrived, disrupting the receiver’s route. No penalty was called, and Ellis intercepted the pass to end the game.
By the numbers
Marcus Stokes: The Memphis quarterback accounted for five touchdowns, completing 29 of 43 passes for 320 yards and three scores while rushing for 31 yards and two touchdowns.
Landon Sides: The ECU receiver caught seven passes for a game-high 130 yards, including the 20-yard touchdown that forced overtime.
Mitch Griffis: The Pirates quarterback completed 14 of 26 passes for 199 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Fellow quarterback Emory Williams added 61 passing yards early in the game before giving way to Griffis the rest of the way.
TJ Engleman Jr.: ECU’s leading rusher gained 92 yards on 18 carries and scored a touchdown.
Noah Perez: The Pirates kicker converted all four of his field-goal attempts, connecting from 22, 30, 49 and 40 yards.
Total offense: Memphis outgained East Carolina 484-421, including a 320-260 advantage through the air.
Turnovers: ECU committed three turnovers, including two interceptions, while Memphis lost one fumble.
Defensive leaders: ECU’s Crews Law recorded 12 tackles, while Memphis’ Mike Montgomery finished with 11.
Scoring summary
First quarter
- ECU — Noah Perez 22-yard field goal, 10:24.
- ECU — Ashton Gray 1-yard run (Perez kick), 3:01.
Second quarter
- MEM — Philippe Laforge 31-yard field goal, 11:30.
- ECU — Perez 30-yard field goal, 6:52.
- ECU — Perez 49-yard field goal, 0:00.
Third quarter
- MEM — Jermane Hayes 59-yard pass from Marcus Stokes (Laforge kick), 13:42.
- ECU — TJ Engleman Jr. 4-yard run (Mitch Griffis pass to Landon Sides), 10:22.
- MEM — Jemyri Davis 20-yard pass from Stokes (Laforge kick), 6:36.
- MEM — Laforge 34-yard field goal, 1:30.
Fourth quarter
- ECU — Perez 40-yard field goal, 12:28.
- MEM — Davis 4-yard pass from Stokes (Laforge kick), 9:50.
- MEM — Stokes 2-yard run (Laforge kick), 3:32.
- ECU — Sides 20-yard pass from Griffis (Perez kick), 1:32.
Overtime
- MEM — Stokes 5-yard run (Laforge kick).
What’s next
East Carolina returns home to face Temple on Saturday, Oct. 31. Memphis will host Army the same day.
