Memphis wins for Bradford

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Memphis, playing just two days after the violent death of a teammate, converted that emotion into a 24-21 victory over Marshall on Tuesday night as Will Hudgens threw for a career-high 346 yards.

Memphis defensive lineman Taylor Bradford was killed in an on-campus shooting Sunday night. The team voted after the tragedy to play the game in the junior’s honor, and he was named an honorary captain.

Memphis (2-3, 1-1 Conference USA) recognized Bradford in several ways, from round, black “TB” stickers on the back of players’ helmets to a moment of silence before the game. Students, some clad in black and many wearing stickers with Bradford’s No. 93, released balloons before the game. At halftime, the Memphis band played “Amazing Grace” as the fans stood in silence.

Hudgens, subbing for injured starter Martin Hankins, completed 30 of 45 passes. His two second-half TD passes and a pass for a two-point conversion to Carlos Singleton erased a Marshall lead in the third quarter.

The Thundering Herd (0-5, 0-1) self-destructed in the second half, fumbling at the Tigers’ 24 and then botching a 25-yard field-goal attempt in the fourth quarter when holder Emmanuel Spann fumbled the snap. They were unable to convert a fourth-and-3 at the Tigers’ 41 with less than a minute left.

Bradford, a junior from Nashville, died after a shooting at a residential complex on the Memphis campus Sunday.