The Memphis Tigers football team defeated the UAB Blazers 53-18 on Saturday in the Battle for the Bones rivalry. On a chilly November night, the Tigers took control of the game in the second quarter and never looked back as they improved their record to 9-2 for the first time since 2019.
"To finish the season undefeated at the Liberty Bowl, what a great night," said Memphis coach Ryan Silverfield. "Great night to go out victorious for our seniors."
Memphis celebrated their senior night pregame, honoring the players in a tribute with their families. Notable seniors on the Tigers’ roster include: quarterback Seth Henigan, running backs Mario Anderson Jr. and Brandon Thomas, wide receivers Roc Taylor, Koby Drake, Jyaire Shorter, and Demeer Blankumsee, defensive backs Kobee Minor and Greg Rubin, and tight end Anthony Landphere. Click here to see the full list of the 35 seniors.
The Tigers got the ball first and marched down the field. A completion to Demeer Blankumsee moved Memphis to midfield.
Memphis continued to push, getting inside the five-yard line. Senior running back Brandon Thomas scampered into the endzone for a 2-yard touchdown.
The Tigers then ran a trick play with kicker Caden Costa completing a pass to snapper Colby Cox for a 2-point conversion. Cox celebrated with the Heisman Trophy pose.
"I love Colby Cox," said Silverfield. "I'm just not sure if he's gonna make the Heisman ceremony."
The Blazers looked to do the same on their opening possession, getting inside the 10-yard line themselves. But, Memphis forced and recovered a fumble to keep UAB off the board.
After stalling out, Memphis kicked a field goal and headed to the second quarter up 11-0.
The Blazers coughed up another fumble deep inside their own territory early in the second, but Memphis kicker Tristian Vandenberg missed a chip-shot field goal attempt.
Memphis forced a Blazer punt and methodically marched their way towards the end zone, feeding Mario Anderson Jr. with regularity. Seth Henigan found Anthony Landphere in the end zone for a 10-yard touchdown that extended the Memphis lead to 18-0.
The Blazers found their rhythm on the next drive, scoring a touchdown on a 10 play, 70-yard drive. UAB went for two and got it, bringing the score to an unorthodox 18-8.
UAB forced a quick three-and-out by the Tigers and had a chance to make it a one-score game before halftime. Memphis' Kourtlan Marsh intercepted Cameron Jennings' pass with 19 seconds to go.
Instead of being content with going into the half up 10, Memphis pushed the ball upfield. Seth Henigan connected with Koby Drake on a 25-yard sideline route.
Memphis then attempted a 59-yard field goal which came up short, ending the half with the score 18-8.
After a quick stop, Memphis started the third quarter right where they left off, as Greg Desrosiers Jr. caught a 19-yard touchdown in the back of the end zone.
The Blazers responded with a field goal to cut the Memphis lead to 25-11. The Tigers drove down to the 2-yard line when the third quarter ended. They wasted no time in the fourth, scoring on another Anthony Landphere touchdown to extend their lead back out to 21 points.
UAB wouldn't die quietly. The Blazers ran a double-pass trick play that got them inside the 5-yard line on the first play of their ensuing drive. They would eventually punch it in for the score.
Memphis' offense responded with another quick, methodical march down the field. This time, Henigan found Jamauri Chislom in the end zone. This touchdown marked Henigan's 100th career passing touchdown as a Tiger in his final home game.
“It’s so rare this day and age for any player to stay somewhere for four years," said Silverfield. “It's been fun to stick with a young man who stuck with our program.”
The Blazers went three and out, and the Tigers ran the ball down their throats with Mario Anderson Jr scoring from 11 yards out to all but seal the win for Memphis.
The Tigers would add on one more touchdown, this time from senior backup quarterback Harris Boyd to close the scoring. Memphis won 53-18 and looked the part of the dominant team that many pegged the Tigers to be in the American.
"They came to Memphis and they found out," said senior long snapper Colby Cox.
Seth Henigan finished with 299 yards passing and 3 touchdowns, while Mario Anderson Jr. rushed 22 times for 138 yards and a touchdown to get over the 1000 yard benchmark for the season.
Memphis will travel to New Orleans for a Thanksgiving day duel with the No. 25 Tulane Green Wave to finish the regular season with a chance for a second consecutive 10 win season.
"It's exciting, but the job's not finished," said Mario Anderson Jr.
