Sports, Tenn

Tiger Keep Home Field Streak Alive Defeat Rice 27-20

 Mario Anderson Jr. recorded his sixth 100-yard rushing game of the season with a game-high 144 yards. photo by Toni Manning

by Don Mooney 11-10-2024

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Rice defensed Memphis to a season-low passing, but the Tigers gained 207 yards on the ground as Rice fell, 27-20, Friday night at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. Memphis’ 207 yards on the ground was the difference maker as the Tigers (8-2, 4-2 AAC) used a Brandon Thomas touchdown with 11:42 remaining in the fourth quarter to secure the victory.

“In honor of our Military Appreciation Game, Tiger Nation is proud to host US Army veteran Byron Williams as the ‘Release the Tigers’ honoree. photo by Don Mooney

For the fifth time this season, the Memphis run game exploded for over 200 yards as Mario Anderson Jr. recorded his sixth 100-yard rushing game of the season with a game-high 144 yards. He added a 31-yard catch and run to total 175 yards in the win.

Multiple banches of the military represented and ready to serve in honor of Military Appreciation Night. photo by Don Mooney

After Rice (3-7, 2-4 AAC) went up on Memphis 6-0 following the first quarter, senior quarterback Seth Henigan connected with tight end Brendan Doyle for a nine-yard score. Just five minutes later, Anderson Jr. found pay dirt for the 15th time this season to give the Tigers a 14-6 lead.

Following a Rice touchdown Memphis turned to the ground game in the second quarter to get the Tigers going. Memphis went 77 yards, capped by a nine-yard Seth Henigan touchdown pass to Brendan Doyle. UM added to its lead on a 10-yard rushing touchdown. Rice got the ball with 1:28 to play. Three passes to Matt Sykes covered 65 yards, the last of which was a 27-yard touchdown. But the Tigers didn’t need much time to answer, going 51 yards in 36 seconds as Tristian Vandenberg connected on a 42-yard field goal as Memphis took a 17-13 lead into halftime.

After forcing a punt to start the second half, Rice looked to take advantage. The Owls drove down the field, looking to take the lead. But, on 2nd-and-1 from the two-yard line, Warner fumbled and Memphis recovered. Two possessions later, Memphis went 92 yards in 10 plays, capped off by Brandon Thomas’ 14-yard touchdown run. Vandenberg then added his second 42-yard field goal. Rice, though, wouldn’t go away. Warner connected with Elijah Mojarro on a five-yard touchdown to cut the deficit to 27-20 with 1:55 to play.

Defense was key in last nights Memphis win over Rice. photo by Toni Manning

The Owls got on the board first when, after Sean Fresch recorded his first interception of the year, Rice turned it into a 25-yard Tim Horn field goal. Horn added a 28-yard field goal as Rice ended the first quarter with a 6-0 lead, the fifth time in the last six games it held its opponents scoreless in the opening frame.

Rice kicker Tim Horn had two first half field goals for the first two scores of the contest. photo by Don Mooney

Rice quarterback E.J. Warner threw his second touchdown pass of the game with just under two minutes to go, but it was too little too late as the Tigers hung on in the game’s final minutes.

Memphis’ all-time leading passer Henigan finished the night with 159 yards passing to go with a touchdown and an interception. His second-quarter touchdown to tight end Brendan Doyle was the 96th of his career and marked the third of the campaign for Doyle.

Defense was crucial for Tigers seen here breaking up a potential touchdown by DB Davion Ross. photo by Don Mooney

Senior Roc Taylor led the Tigers in receiving with 52 yards on four receptions. It extended his streak to 32-consecutive games with a reception and the big-bodied receiver went over 50 yards for the eighth time in 10 games this season.

Tigers ground attack proved too much for Rice Owls defense. Greg Desrosiers Jr. eyes defense. photo by Toni Manning

Linebacker Chandler Martin led the Tigers with 11 tackles to go with a pass breakup and a quarterback hurry, as well as his fourth fumble recovery of the season (tied for NCAA lead). Defensive back Davion Ross had a career night with nine total tackles (seven solo). Fellow defensive backs AJ Watts and Greg Rubin chipped in six stops apiece.

Dating back to the win at UAB last season, Memphis has forced at least one turnover in 13 of its last 16 games. Over that stretch, the Tigers have created 28 takeaways (15 INT, 13 FR). The Tigers have now scored 20 or more points in 37-consecutive games – the longest active streak in the nation – dating back to a 33-28 win over Tulane on Nov. 27, 2021.

photos by Don Mooney

Following the win, Memphis (62) is one of just five teams with 60 or more home wins since 2014, along with Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State and Michigan.

UP NEXT
The Tigers are back at home on Saturday, Nov. 16 against UAB on Senior Day with a 7 p.m. kickoff at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. Memphis will look to retain possession of the Battle for the Bones trophy.

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