The Memphis Tigers improved their record to 3-1 after defeating the South Alabama Jaguars in a hard fought and rainy 52-35 game. As a team, their play was a mixed bag, but their resiliency in the end is what led them to victory.
First quarter
Just as they did in their game against Navy, Memphis’ offense suffered a relatively slow start. Aside from a big 50-yard run and 13-yard rushing touchdown by running back Darrell Henderson, the offense was unusually contained. Quarterback Brady White only attempted three passes and gained just 40 total yards, with his longest play being a 26-yard screen pass to Henderson.
The defense’s flaws against the run were exploited during the first drive of the night when the Jaguars were able to get solid rushing attempts to score the first touchdown of the game. They also got production from their passing game with cornerback Tito Windham catching the brunt of the passing yards as wide receiver Jamarius Way caught three passes for 95 yards against Windham, including a 63-yard gain that set the Jaguars up at Memphis’ 1-yard line. Luckily for the unit, a bad hand-off led to outside linebacker Austin Hall recovering the fumble and preventing them from scoring again.
Second quarter
Memphis’ offense began improving with wide receiver John “Pop” Williams running past his defender to score his first career touchdown as a Tiger on a 25-yard reception. They also got scoring out of running back Patrick Taylor Jr., whose one-yard touchdown run was his second rushing touchdown of the season. However, after the scores, the unit stalled out and were forced to punt twice.
The defense didn’t have it much easier, as they allowed 14 unanswered points in the form of a two-yard rushing touchdown by running back Tra Minter and an 11-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Zac Crosby. The Tigers pass defense was continuously challenged throughout the quarter, and quarterback Evan Orth gained 140 yards through the air, compared to Memphis’ 99 yards in the quarter. As painful as their performance was, their defense was dealt a tougher blow when outside linebacker Jackson Dillon had to be helped off the field after sustaining an injury.
During the post-game press conference, head coach Mike Norvell was silent on providing any injury updates, but cornerback TJ Carter explained that the team rallied behind the veteran in the locker room.
“We got together with him in the locker room, wrapped our arms around him and told him that we loved him,” Carter said. “It sucks with all the stuff that he’s been through. He’s our brother, and we only want the best for him.”
Third quarter
The offense had their share of highs and lows in the third quarter, but one definite highlight was wide receiver Damonte Coxie. After only having three receptions and 39 receiving yards in the first half, he came up with four receptions, 70 receiving yards and a touchdown in the third quarter. Tight end Joey Magnifico also had some bright spots after picking up a big 35-yard reception in his longest play of the game.
Defensively, the Tigers seemed a bit rattled to start the half, and their pass defense allowed Way to pick up yet another big gain against cornerback Windham. They also picked up another passing touchdown, this time to wide receiver Kawaan Baker, who was wide open heading into the endzone. Luckily for the team, they’d gotten a handle on stopping the run and were able to hold the Jaguars on a fourth down attempt in the red zone.
Fourth quarter
Memphis’ offense had their best quarter of the game in the final 15 minutes when they were able to score three rushing touchdowns. The first was by wide receiver Tony Pollard on a 16-yard reverse play, the second was by running back Henderson after a 54-yard gain, and the third touchdown was an 11-yard run by running back Taylor.
The defense continued their struggles defending the pass, as wide receiver Way made his way into the endzone and picked up the subsequent two-point conversion. Luckily for the Tigers, players like outside linebacker Austin Hall and defensive end Joseph Dorceus were able to make big plays to prevent the Jaguars from scoring any more points after forcing a fumble (Hall) and stopping a potential fourth down conversion (Dorceus).
Post game synopsis
Though the score sheet shows the Tigers won this game by 17 points, it easily could have been a closer game if it weren’t for some late-game heroics. The Tigers’ secondary got downright embarrassed on multiple passing plays throughout the game, which allowed South Alabama’s Orth to finish the game with an impressive 360 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. If Memphis wants to compete with future high-scoring opponents such as UCF, Missouri and Houston, they have to tighten up and limit the amount of big plays allowed.
Brady White looks for an open receiver downfield. White had two touchdowns and led the Memphis Tigers to a 52-35 victory over South Alabama.
Darrell Henderson
