Late game heroics came just in time for the San Antonio Brahmas at the start of the fourth quarter. In a compelling comeback, the Brahmas beat the Memphis Showboats 20-19 at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.
Coming into the final quarter, the game appeared to be out of reach for the San Antonio Brahmas, down 16-0 and having a lackluster day on offense.
San Antonio started their comeback with quarterback Chase Garbers tossing a 10-yard touchdown pass to receiver Marquez Stevenson scoring the Brahmas first points of the game early in the fourth quarter.
After their successful two-point conversion, San Antonio chiseled their deficit to 16-8. The Brahmas Defense, which played a physical but sloppy game, tightened up, holding the Showboats to a single field goal in the final quarter. With less than three minutes on the clock and coming off an interception, Garbers connected with tight end Cody Latimer for a huge 46-yard catch. Garbers then found receiver Jontre Kirklan for the quick five-yard touchdown, trailing 19-14 after the failed three-point conversion.
The Brahmas kept the ball after successfully converting their fourth-and-12 optional retain procession and began to drive down the field. With 10 seconds left and no time outs, Garbers completed the comeback, finding Latimer in the end zone and sneaking out of Memphis with the victory.
The Brahmas offense was inept all afternoon going three and out on every possession for the first three quarters and could not get in a groove and finally found it well into the fourth quarter. Garbers ended the afternoon with three touchdowns all coming in the fourth, completing 29 of 40 passes for 287 yards.
Latimer got his first real action of the season, ending the game off with eight receptions for 91 yards and a single touchdown. Stevenston was slightly more explosive, leading the team in yards with 103 on six receptions and one touchdown.
The San Antonio defense played tough and showed high endurance despite being on the field for the majority of the game. The Brahmas defense continued their assertive season, sacking Showboats quarterback Case Cookus three times and forcing two fumbles. In the red zone, the defense held firm only allowing a single touchdown.
The Brahmas will return to San Antonio to face the St. Louis Battlehawks. Kickoff will take place at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Alamodome.
