In an electrifying showdown on a crisp Saturday afternoon, the No. 16 Memphis Tigers triumphed over the No. 21 Cincinnati Bearcats in the American Athletic Conference (AAC) championship game, securing a 29-24 victory with a late touchdown. This remarkable win marked a significant milestone for Memphis, who clinched their first-ever AAC title in their third consecutive appearance in the conference championship game. With their impressive performance, the Tigers are now eagerly awaiting an invitation to the prestigious Cotton Bowl, representing the highest-ranked Group of Five team.
Notably, this championship win comes at an interesting juncture for the Memphis Tigers, as their head coach, Mike Norvell, is set to embark on a new journey. According to sources close to the situation, ESPN's Chris Low reported that Norvell has agreed to a deal to become the head coach of the Florida State Seminoles, thus ending his tenure with Memphis on a high note.
Just eight days after securing a 34-24 victory against the Bearcats in the regular-season finale, Memphis exhibited remarkable resilience to rally for another impressive win. Throughout the game, it was clear that both teams understood the significance of their responses to adversity and success, with Coach Norvell remarking, "How we responded to adversity. How we responded to success at times. But that's the character and the heart of these kids."
The hero of the day was undoubtedly Antonio Gibson, who not only scored the game-winning 6-yard touchdown but also contributed significantly to Memphis's offensive prowess. Gibson showcased his versatility by running for an impressive 130 yards, including a spectacular 65-yard touchdown dash that had fans on the edge of their seats.
Cincinnati head coach Luke Fickell acknowledged the Tigers' commendable performance, stating, "Give them a lot of credit. They made the plays down the stretch that needed to be made, and we didn't." Cincinnati's star quarterback, Desmond Ridder, who had been absent from their previous encounter, played a pivotal role by passing for 233 yards and running for an additional 113 yards, including a 15-yard touchdown in the first half.
The game intensified into a thrilling back-and-forth battle during the fourth quarter, keeping fans glued to their seats. A 33-yard field goal by Cincinnati's Sam Crosa with 4:23 left on the clock gave the Bearcats a narrow 24-23 lead. However, the Tigers remained determined. On their next offensive drive, Antonio Gibson became the focal point, delivering a crucial performance by catching two passes and running five times, ultimately positioning Memphis at the Cincinnati 6-yard line. The game-deciding play saw Gibson split right and receive Brady White's precise pass, which he successfully converted into a touchdown.
In their final attempt to turn the game around, Cincinnati managed to advance to the Memphis 26-yard line but ultimately fell short. Coach Fickell emphasized the Bearcats' unyielding determination, saying, "We didn't find a way. We didn't have the answers there at the end. But it wasn't for lack of preparation. It wasn't from a lack of fight, and it certainly wasn't from a lack of care and love for every one of those guys in that locker room."
Cincinnati was notably boosted by the return of Desmond Ridder, who added a new dimension to their offense, enabling them to keep pace with Memphis. Ridder's ability to scramble and create plays differentiated him from the backup quarterback, Ben Bryant, who had featured in the teams' previous encounter.
While Memphis quarterback Brady White faced some challenges, completing 18 of 40 passes for 253 yards, the Tigers managed to stay competitive in the game, thanks to two crucial second-half field goals by Riley Patterson, spanning distances of 50 and 52 yards.
In the wake of this thrilling championship game, Memphis and their dedicated fan base now eagerly anticipate an invitation to the Cotton Bowl, representing a well-deserved opportunity to showcase their talents on a national stage. As for Coach Mike Norvell, he will leave Memphis with his head held high, embarking on a new adventure as the head coach of Florida State, while the Tigers bask in the glory of their first AAC championship.
