
In a high-scoring encounter at the Scooter’s Coffee Frisco Bowl, the No. 25 Memphis Tigers edged out the West Virginia Mountaineers with a 42-37 victory on December 17, 2024, at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas.
Memphis quarterback Seth Henigan led the Tigers’ offense, completing 22 of 34 passes for 294 yards and two touchdowns. His performance earned him the Offensive MVP honors for the game, as reported by WVU Sports.
The Tigers established an early lead, capitalizing on West Virginia’s turnovers to build a significant advantage. Henigan connected with wide receiver Javon Ivory for a 45-yard touchdown in the first quarter, setting the tone for Memphis’s aggressive offensive strategy.
West Virginia’s quarterback Garrett Greene spearheaded a resilient comeback attempt. Greene threw for 328 yards and two touchdowns, adding a 56-yard rushing touchdown that electrified the Mountaineers’ sideline. Wide receiver Hudson Clement was Greene’s primary target, amassing 166 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
Despite narrowing the deficit multiple times, the Mountaineers were unable to overtake the Tigers. A critical interception in the final minutes thwarted West Virginia’s hopes of a last-minute victory. Defensively, Memphis linebacker Chandler Martin was instrumental, recording eight tackles and a pivotal sack, earning him Defensive MVP honors.
The game was marked by explosive plays and strategic prowess from both teams. Memphis’s balanced attack combined effective passing with a solid ground game, while West Virginia showcased determination and adaptability in their comeback efforts.
This victory marks Memphis’s third consecutive bowl win, concluding their season with an impressive 11-2 record. Before the game, Head Coach Ryan Silverfield gave his thoughts on the West Virginia team, telling Sports Illustrated, “They’re a Power Four team. You can see that. And I think they always pride themselves in starting in the trenches. Their defensive line is probably the best we’ve seen all season. They’re fast, they get off, they’re big, they’re tough.”
West Virginia, finishing the season at 6-7, displayed commendable tenacity throughout the matchup. Interim head coach Chad Scott reflected on the game, telling WV MetroNews, “We didn’t start out how fast we wanted to, but the guys were resilient and responded. If I could go back, I would have been more aggressive at the beginning of the game. I was too conservative trying to figure them out and I should’ve shoot my shot. [Quarterback Garrett Greene] had nothing to do with losing this game. That’s not on him at all.”
On losing his last college game, Greene told WV MetroNews, “West Virginia means a lot to me and it’s been such a great honor to wear the uniform. I wish I could’ve gotten it done tonight, but I wasn’t good enough at the end of the game. Still super happy 17-year-old me made the decision to come up to the mountains.”
The Frisco Bowl, sponsored by Scooter’s Coffee, continues to provide a platform for exciting postseason college football matchups. This year’s game lived up to expectations, delivering a thrilling contest that kept fans engaged until the final whistle.
As both programs look ahead, Memphis aims to build on its successful season, leveraging this victory as momentum for future campaigns. West Virginia will focus on regrouping and addressing key areas to enhance their competitiveness in the coming seasons.