The Tigers rolled over an FCS team for the second year in a row last night, as Memphis defeated Missouri State 63-7 at the Liberty Bowl. Here are the best postgame sound bites that didn’t quite make it into the recap.
Senior linebacker Wynton McManis, who recovered a fumble and recorded a team-leading three tackles in the win, on this year’s defense showing it can be as good as last year’s, which was ranked 11th in scoring defense in the nation.
“Everybody had questions (about) whether we were going to be good or not. And we came out prepared ready to play, we communicated well. We wanted to play hard and show everybody this is the same Memphis defense…Don’t worry we’re here. We’re not going anywhere.”
Plus his thoughts on the defense’s performance overall, one that forced six fumbles and recovered three of them. Though one of the lone belmishes on last night's performance were the Tigers nine penalties for 92 yards, the majority coming on defense.
“We had a good game overall, but if you take out those penalties we would’ve had a great game. So penalties like that against better teams can hurt you in the games, and we can’t have that. So we need to get those penalties taken care of and if we keep progressing, moving forward as a team, we’ll be in great shape.”
Senior wide receiver Mose Frazier, who had six receptions, 89 yards and two touchdowns, on last night’s crowd, with an announced attendance of 41,730, a significant increase from last year’s home opener against Austin Peay (27,361).
“I expected a lot of people to be here based on what we did last year. It was great intensity in there. I came down and see the stadium almost full. I haven’t seen that since I’ve been playing here. It was great. The energy was amazing tonight.”
Frazier also said he was not surprised by freshman running back Jamarius Henderson’s performance in the victory. Henderson rushed for 81 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries.
“Since we put on pads in camp I’ve been impressed with what he’s been doing, so when he got in there and played well I wasn’t surprised. I knew what he would go out there and do. A lot of people that haven’t seen him play they were surprised what he could do, but I’ve been seen it. So it wasn’t a surprise to me. I love him.”
Redshirt sophomore running back Doroland Dorecus on feeling more confident than ever after returning from ACL surgery. He rushed for 19 yards and two touchdowns on six carries.
“I felt great. I went through camp. I had full confidence in my knee, so this first game I was ready for it. I felt great. I felt bigger, stronger and faster.”
Other notes
After dropping nine consecutive season openers from 2004 to 2013, Memphis has now won their last two by a combined score of 126-7. Twenty-one Tigers made their collegiate debuts last night – including Henderson. Last night’s win means Memphis still holds the fourth-longest winning streak in the FBS at eight games. Roderick Proctor’s 63-yard punt return for a touchdown was the first for Memphis since 2004. The Tigers ran the ball an astounding 60 times for 317 yards, while completing 16-21 passes through the air for 202 yards.
Freshman running back Jamarius Henderson had an impressive debut as he rushed for 81 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries.
