On a day the University of Memphis retired the jersey of Tiger defensive great Danton Barto, the Tigers put up his jersey number on their side of the scoreboard and pitched a shutout on defense to win 59-0 over North Alabama. Memphis scored in all three phases of the game with Eddie Lewis returning a punt 60 yards for a touchdown and Xavier Cullens rumbling 54 yards with a third quarter interception return for another.
Memphis coaches had stated all week North Alabama had the best offensive player the Tigers had faced all season in sophomore running back Shunderrick Powell who came into the game with 1472 yards, but it was evident early in this game the Lions would be no match for the Tigers on this day. Powell was held to 41 yards on 20 carries with a nine yard rush on the final play of the game being his longest run of the day.
The Tiger offense struck on the first drive of the day when Seth Henigan hit Eddie Lewis for what appeared to be the first score of the day, but the play was called back on an offensive pass interference call. Memphis was forced to punt and after a quick three and out for the Lions, Henigan found Lewis again for 38 yards and the first points in the game. North Alabama fumbled two plays later and the Tigers were back in action. Jey Ducker capped off the 5 play, 36 yard drive with a 6 yard TD run. Two possessions later, Ducker hit pay dirt again finishing off an 8 play drive that covered 65 yards with a two yard TD run.
North Alabama failed to gain a first down on their next possession and that’s when Lewis ran the Lions punt back 60 yards for the score. The play was initially ruled out at the one, but on review it was determined Lewis stretched his hand across the goal line with the ball.
North Alabama’s next possession ended with an interception by Quindell Johnson. Another short field with the drive starting at the 27 ended with Asa Martin scoring from ten yards out. Memphis would add a 26 yard field goal from Chris Howard to end the first half scoring with the Tigers ahead 38-0.
Things did not improve for the Lions as on the first drive of the second half, Cullens picked off the pass and followed a horde of blockers for his 54 yard interception return.
Ryan Glover came into the game replacing Henigan and led the Tigers on a 12 play drive covering 52 yards that culminated in Martin’s second touchdown of the game on a 2 yard carry. Glover, the senior transfer QB from Cal had not been afforded the opportunity to pass this season until this game, completed 4 of 5 for 29 yards. Sutton Smith capped off the scoring for the day with a 12 yard run early in the fourth quarter.
In a game where the Tigers were expected to win easily, Memphis did just that. They dominated in the trenches as one would expect a D1 program to do against a bad FCS opponent. The Tigers also made it through the game with no further injuries. On the day, the defense held North Alabama to just 124 yards of total offense, only 9 first downs, and forced three turnovers.
On the offensive side of the ball, Memphis had a perfectly balanced day with Henigan and Glover combining for 247 passing yards while a committee of running backs rushed for 246 led by sophomore An’Darius Coffey 83 yards and freshman Smith with 55 on just 7 carries.
Next up is SMU next Saturday in Dallas.
Notes:
Memphis became bowl eligible with today’s win for the ninth season in a row, the longest such streak among teams in the Group of 5.
Per Dave Woloshin, Memphis also became just the fourth school in the last 9 seasons to win 5 games at home every year joining, Alabama, Clemson, and Ohio St.