Tigers send Norvell out on a high note as late touchdown secures first AAC championship in history
University of Memphis head coach Mike Norvell (left) celebrates with his team after the Tiger's beat Cincinnati to win the AAC Championship game on Dec. 7, 2019, at the Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis receiver Antonio Gibson (left) looks for a hole during a play in the second half of the Tiger's AAC Championship game on Dec. 7, 2019, against the Bearcats at the Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis quarterback Brady White passes under pressure in the first half of the Tiger's AAC Championship game on Dec. 7, 2019, against the Bearcats at the Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis quarterback Brady White (3) celebrates after scorig a keeper touchdown against Cincinnati in the second half of the Tiger's AAC Championship game on Dec. 7, 2019, against the Bearcats at the Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis defensive back Chris Claybrooks picks of a pass intended for Cincinnati's Tre Tucker during the second half of the Tiger's AAC Championship game on Dec. 7, 2019, against the Bearcats at the Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis kicker Riley Patterson scores against Cincinnati's during the first half of the Tiger's AAC Championship game on Dec. 7, 2019, against the Bearcats at the Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis running back Kenneth Gainwell looks for an opening under pressure by Cincinnati's Leonard Taylor (11) during a run in the first half of the Tiger's AAC Championship game on Dec. 7, 2019, against the Bearcats at the Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis' Calvin Austin III tries to make a catch on the kickoff under pressure by Thomas Geddis (left) from Cincinnati's resulting on a penalty on the opening play in the first half of the Tiger's AAC Championship game on Dec. 7, 2019, against the Bearcats at the Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis head coach Mike Norvell (left) celebrates with his team after the Tiger's beat Cincinnati to win the AAC Championship game on Dec. 7, 2019, at the Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis Damonte Coxie (10) is taken down during a run in the second half of the Tiger's AAC Championship game on Dec. 7, 2019, against the Bearcats at the Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis head coach Mike Norvell (left) reacts to a call on the field during the second half of the Tiger's AAC Championship game on Dec. 7, 2019, against the Bearcats at the Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis receiver Antonio Gibson (14) breaks away for a touchdown against Cincinnati's during the first half of the Tiger's AAC Championship game on Dec. 7, 2019, against the Bearcats at the Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis running back Kenneth Gainwell (19) reacts after a touchdown run by Antonio Gibson during the first half of the Tiger's AAC Championship game on Dec. 7, 2019, against the Bearcats at the Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis receiver Antonio Gibson (14) is taken down by Cincinnati's Perry Young during a run in the second half of the Tiger's AAC Championship game on Dec. 7, 2019, against the Bearcats at the Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis players celebrate after the Tiger's beat Cincinnati to win the AAC Championship game on Dec. 7, 2019, at the Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis head coach Mike Norvell (left) reacts to a call on the field during the second half of the Tiger's AAC Championship game on Dec. 7, 2019, against the Bearcats at the Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
The University of Memphis defensive line puts pressure on Cincinnati's kicker Sam Crosa during the second half of the Tiger's AAC Championship game on Dec. 7, 2019, against the Bearcats at the Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis players celebrate after a touchdown in the second half of the Tiger's AAC Championship game on Dec. 7, 2019, against the Bearcats at the Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
University of Memphis players celebrate in the final minutes of the Tiger's win over Cincinnati to for the AAC Championship title on Dec. 7, 2019, at the Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Late Antonio Gibson touchdown catch gives Memphis its first AAC conference championship.
Topics
Mike Norvell Memphis Tigers Football American Athletic Conference Cincinnati Bearcats Brady WhiteJohn Varlas
John Varlas is a lifelong Memphian who has covered high school sports in various capacities for over 20 years.
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