Tigers fall to Penn State in high-scoring Cotton Bowl
Dejected University of Memphis teammates Kameron Wilson (left) and Jashon Watkins-Perkins (right) walk off the field after losing to Penn State 53-39 in the Cotton Bowl on Dec. 28, 2019, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis quarterback Brady White (right) speaks during a post-game press conference after a 53-39 loss to Penn State at the Cotton Bowl on Dec. 28, 2019, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis kick returner Antonio Gibson (right) is gang tackled by the Penn State defense during action at the Cotton Bowl on Dec. 28, 2019, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis quarterback Brady White (right) fumbles the ball while being sacked by Penn State defender Micah Parsons (left) during action at the Cotton Bowl on Dec. 28, 2019, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis fans react after a Penn State touchdown during action at the Cotton Bowl on Dec. 28, 2019, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis running back Patrick Taylor Jr. (middle) celebrates a touchdown against Penn State during action at the Cotton Bowl on Dec. 28, 2019, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis running back Kenneth Gainwell (right) runs for a first down past Penn State defender Garrett Taylor (left) during action at the Cotton Bowl on Dec. 28, 2019, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis quarterback Brady White (left) looks to make a throw against Penn State defender Robert Windsor (right) during action at the Cotton Bowl on Dec. 28, 2019, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis defender La'Andre Thomas (right) cannot bring down Penn State receiver KJ Hamler (left) during action at the Cotton Bowl on Dec. 28, 2019, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford (right) scrambles past the University of Memphis defense for a first down during action at the Cotton Bowl on Dec. 28, 2019, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis head coach Ryan Silverfield (left) makes his case to the officials during a break in action against Penn State at the Cotton Bowl on Dec. 28, 2019, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis defender Morris Joseph (right) causes a fumble while sacking Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford (left) during action at the Cotton Bowl on Dec. 28, 2019, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis defender Morris Joseph (middle) celebrates a sack against Penn State during action at the Cotton Bowl on Dec. 28, 2019, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis running back Patrick Taylor Jr. (right) fights for a first down against Penn State defender Garrett Taylor (left) during action at the Cotton Bowl on Dec. 28, 2019, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis quarterback Brady White (middle) looks for a lane against the Penn State defense during action at the Cotton Bowl on Dec. 28, 2019, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis receiver Antonio Gibson (left) makes a first down catch against Penn State defender Jan Johnson (right) during action at the Cotton Bowl on Dec. 28, 2019, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis running back Kenneth Gainwell (middle) celebrates a first down against the Penn State defense during action at the Cotton Bowl on Dec. 28, 2019, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis quarterback Brady White makes a throw against the Penn State defense during action at the Cotton Bowl on Dec. 28, 2019, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis head coach Ryan Silverfield (middle) during a break in action against Penn State at the Cotton Bowl on Dec. 28, 2019, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis receiver Antonio Gibson (right) looks for positive yards against the Penn State defense during action at the Cotton Bowl on Dec. 28, 2019, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis kicker Riley Patterson (middle) made six field goals against Penn State at the Cotton Bowl on Dec. 28, 2019, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis fans react after a Penn State touchdown at the Cotton Bowl on Dec. 28, 2019, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis quarterback Brady White watches from the sidelines during a 53-39 loss to Penn State at the Cotton Bowl on Dec. 28, 2019, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis head coach Ryan Silverfield (left) listens to quarterback Brady White (right) during a post-game press conference after a 53-39 loss to Penn State at the Cotton Bowl on Dec. 28, 2019, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Memphis fans celebrate a touchdown during action against Penn State at the Cotton Bowl on Dec. 28, 2019, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Mark Weber/Daily Memphian)
Memphis fell to Penn State 53-39 in their first Cotton Bowl Classic appearance.