Turnovers and missed opportunities were the story of the game for Tulane (3-3, 0-2 American Athletic Conference) as it fell 24-14 to the University of Memphis Tigers (5-1, 2-0 AAC) in an early game on Friday.

Tulane pulled ahead to a 7-3 lead on a 20-yard pass by Glen Cuiellette to Kendall Ardoin with 13:13 to go in the second quarter. The Green Wave remained on top until Memphis quarterback Riley Ferguson’s touchdown pass to Darrell Henderson put the Tigers up 13-7. Tulane would trail from there on out.

The Wave offense was stagnant for long stretches of the game, as quarterback Glen Cuiellette went 11-30 with 144 yards, one touchdown and an interception. Despite his breakout performances in the previous two games against the University of Louisiana-Lafayette and UMass, Cuiellette could never get into a rhythm throwing the ball against the Tigers’ secondary.

The running attack, which has consistently been a strength for the Wave, had a little more success, tallying 169 yards and a rushing touchdown, but ultimately it proved not to be enough to overcome a stout Memphis defense. 

On top of the offensive struggles, the Wave had trouble on special teams, as return man Dontrell Hilliard muffed two punts and the Tigers were able to recover a surprise onside kick, all of these coming in the first half alone.

Memphis runningback Darrell Henderson was a major difference maker for the Tigers, racking up 156 all-purpose yards, including two touchdowns coming on a 45-yard run and a 46-yard reception.  

The loss to Memphis marks Tulane’s 10th straight loss to the Tigers, a streak going back to the 2002 season. 

The Wave will look to right the ship and become a competitor in the AAC in its next matchup, a 2:45 p.m. contest on Saturday, Oct. 22, on the road against the University of Tulsa. The game will be broadcasted nationally on ESPNU.