MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Darrell Henderson and Patrick Taylor combined to rush 27 times for 300 yards and three touchdowns to lead Memphis to a 37-29 victory over Louisiana Monroe Thursday, Aug. 31 in the 2017 season opener for both teams.

Trailing 30-7 midway through the third quarter, ULM scored TDs on three of its last four possessions to make for a very entertaining fourth quarter.

The Warhawks and Tigers committed a combined six turnovers, as both teams struggled to manage the challenging weather conditions, created by the remnants of Hurricane Harvey. The game was played during periods of torrential rain and wind gusts from 14-21 mph. Memphis failed to score any points off four ULM miscues.

The game started with a bang, as ULM's Markis McCray returned the opening kickoff 32 yards but fumbled on a hit by Tim Hart that David Moore recovered for the Tigers at the Warhawk 45-yard line.

The ULM defense responded to the sudden-change situation, allowing just 11 yards on the first six plays, forcing Memphis to punt from the Warhawk 34.

The Warhawks went three-and-out on their first offensive series, and Patrick Taylor brought the home crowd to their feet as he scored on a career-long 66-yard run with 10:43 left in the first quarter.

Quarterback Garrett Smith came off the ULM bench to direct a game-tying scoring drive. Derrick Gore capped off a nine-play, 97-yard march with a 14-yard TD run around left end with 3:17 remaining in the first quarter. Smith accounted for 59 yards on the series, including three rushes for 15 yards and two completions for 44 yards, including a 43-yard strike to RJ Turner.

Memphis answered on its next possession, as Riley Ferguson's 20-yard completion to Joey Magnifico to set up a first-and-goal from the ULM 1. Three plays later, Ferguson scored on a 2-yard keeper around right end, as the Tigers regained the lead at 13-7 (2-point rushing attempt failed).

The Tigers extended their led to 20-7 on Henderson's 55-yard TD run with 9:11 to play in the second quarter.

The Warhawk offense came to life again late in the first half. On a third-and-8 play, Smith connected with McCray for a 46-yard gain to set up a first-and-goal at the Memphis 4. Two plays later, Gore fumbled while being dropped for a 3-yard loss by Curtis Akins (Jonathan Wilson recovered).

The teams traded turnovers on the next two series. ULM safety Collin Turner intercepted Ferguson's first-down pass attempt and returned it 18 yards to the Memphis 31. Two plays later, the Warhawks lost their third fumble of the first half, as Smith coughed up the ball after being thrown for a 4-yard loss.

Memphis gained 247 of its 319 rushing yards in the first 30 minutes and took a 20-7 lead into the locker room.

Tony Pollard returned the second-half kickoff 99 yards for a score as Memphis moved out to a 27-7 lead 17 seconds into the third quarter.

The Tigers put together an 11-play, 71-yard drive and pushed their lead to 30-7 on Spencer Smith's 20-yard field goal with 8:30 left in the third quarter.

ULM starter Caleb Evans engineered an impressive 16-play, 68-yard drive, including two third-down conversions and another on fourth down. Kayin White scored his first career TD on a 2-yard run, as the Warhawks pulled to within 30-14 with 39 seconds remaining in the third quarter.

Memphis appeared to regain control of the game when Henderson raced around left end then cut back across the field for a 63-yard TD run and a 37-14 advantage with 13 seconds left in the third.

Early in the fourth quarter, Smith completed 7-of-11 passes for 76 yards during a 15-play, 84-yard scoring drive. On a fourth-and-15 play, Smith hooked up with Marcus Green for a 16-yard scoring play, as ULM cut its deficit to 37-21 with 5:21 on the clock.

The Tigers next possession resulted in a lost fumble as Ferguson couldn't handle a high snap, and Derion Ford recovered at the ULM 34.

With Evans back under center, the Warhawks managed to make it a one score game in the final 40 seconds. Evans jump-started the drive with a 14-yard run, then hit 5-of-7 throws for 52 yards, including a 6-yard TD toss to Xavier Brown. He followed that up with a 2-point pass to Brian Williams in the right flat.

ULM's comeback bid ended when Evan Michael recovered the on-side kick attempt.

The ULM defense played a key role in the second-half comeback, limiting the Tigers to just six first downs and 72 rushing yards.

The Warhawks produced 17 first downs and 246 total yards in the second half. ULM outgained Memphis in total yards, 425-416, while converting 7-of-10 on third downs and going a perfect 2-for-2 on fourth downs. The Warhawks possessed the ball for 21:02 in the second half.

Smith completed 10-of-17 throws for 171 yards with one score and one interception, while Evans connected on 11-of-20 passes for 108 yards and one TD. Smith accounted for 219 yards total offense, including 12 rushes for a team-best 48 yards.

Brown led the Warhawk receiving corps with five catches for 41 yards and a score, while McCray produced a career-high 172 all-purpose yards (three receptions for 35 yards; four kickoff returns for 103 yards).

Safety Luke Hedrick recorded a team-best six tackles (all solos) while nose tackle Tyler Johnson contributed five solo stops, including one for a 6-yard loss. Starting boundary corner JJ Dallas posted four tackles and a pass break-up in his ULM debut.

The Warhawks (0-1) play their second-straight non-conference road at No. 3 Florida State on Saturday, Sept. 9, with kickoff set for 6 p.m. CT on the ACC Network.