Jamie Newman leads Wake Forest past Memphis 37-34 in Birmingham Bowl comeback

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Jamie Newman ran for a 1-yard touchdown with 34 seconds left to cap a big performance and Wake Forest’s comeback in a 37-34 victory over Memphis in the Birmingham Bowl on Saturday.

The Demon Deacons (7-6) had to wait to celebrate until Riley Patterson’s 43-yard field-goal attempt went wide right as time expired.

Both teams scored touchdowns over the final 1:15. Memphis (8-6) lost a big lead for the second straight game after jumping ahead by 18 points in the first half.

Game MVP Newman ran for three touchdowns and passed for a fourth to lead Wake Forest, throwing for 328 yards and rushing 23 times for 91 more.

He led the Demon Deacons on a 75-yard drive starting at the 1:15 mark, covering most of it with completions of 49 and 20 yards to Alex Bachman.

The second catch was reviewed and the spot was upheld at the 1-yard line after Bachman’s right arm hit the pylon. Newman kept the ball for the go-ahead score.

Memphis swiftly moved into position to at least tie the game. Brady White found an open Joey Magnifico on the right sideline for a 44-yard gain, with the tight end battling for extra yards down to the 17.

The Tigers went backward after that, including a false start penalty after Patterson lined up to attempt a game-tying kick.

In their last outing, they had led by 17 points against No. 7 UCF in the American Athletic Conference championship game, only to lose 58-41.

Subbing for All-America running back Darrell Henderson, Patrick Taylor Jr. gave Memphis the lead with a 9-yard touchdown to cap a 14-play, 88-yard drive.

Tony Pollard scored on a 97-yard kickoff return to tie the NCAA career mark with seven.