by Don Mooney
Dual threat quarterback Brendon Lewis showed off his skillset today with two touchdowns (1 pass, 1 rush), 199 yards in the air and 81 on the ground, leading the team in rushing. photo by Altonita Manning.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis (1-0) secured a 45-10 victory over the Chattanooga Mocs (0-1) on Saturday at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. The Tigers scored two touchdowns in each of the first two quarters to establish an early lead and keep the Mocs from comeback hopes.
Pressure from D-line made for nightmare afternoon for Chatanooga. photo by Altonita Manning.
The 45 points makes it 20 or more points scored in 41-consecutive games – the longest active streak in the nation – dating back to a 33-28 win over Tulane on Nov. 27, 2021. Memphis (1-0) has scored at least 15 points in 81-consecutive home games – the second-longest active streak in the FBS behind Alabama (90) and the fourth-longest streak overall since 1978.
photo by Altonita Manning. @gotigersgo.com https://gotigersgo.com/
The Tigers scored touchdowns on their first four possessions to build a 28-3 halftime advantage. They amassed 236 yards on 28 plays. The Mocs held their hosts to three points and 107 yards of offense on the next four possessions before a pick 6 and late score completed their 45-point day.
The first quarter was a challenge for the offense. The Mocs got just 18 yards on 12 plays before finding life in the second quarter. It began with a strong drive, highlighted by Ryan Ingram’s 21-yard rush and Orth’s 16-yard pass to Markell Quick. That resulted in a successful 32-yard field goal by Kelley at 9:20.
photo by Altonita Manning.
Both sides of the ball had multiple highlights Saturday afternoon. Offensively, the team racked up 432 yards of offense with 10 different receivers making catches, the most since the 2022 season (Tulane) and four different players scoring on the ground, the first time since 2014. Dual threat quarterback Brendon Lewis showed off his skillset today with two touchdowns (1 pass, 1 rush), 199 yards in the air and 81 on the ground, leading the team in rushing.
photo by Altonita Manning.
Defensively, William Whitlow Jr. recorded the team’s first blocked field goal since 2023 and the Tigers recorded nine tackles for loss with Pooda Walker leading the way with 1.5. Chris Bracy had a breakout first game in the Memphis Blue with a career-high 10 total tackles.
After Chattanooga opened the game with an onside kick recovery, the Tigers responded with a blocked field goal and recovery from Whitlow Jr. His return of 15 yards set up the first score of the season on an eight-yard run from Greg Desrosiers Jr. with 7:44 remaining in the first quarter.
Running back Sutton Smith made his way back to the field for the first time since the home-opener in 2024 with a 35-yard rushing touchdown to make it a 14-0 game late in the first quarter. The score was his first since the AutoZone Liberty Bowl against Iowa State in December 2023.
photo by Altonita Manning.
Defensive back Chauncey Logan Jr. recorded the first takeaway of the season with an interception early in the second half. Just 10 minutes later, DeMarco Ward intercepted the Mocs quarterback for a 27-yard pick-six. Memphis has now forced at least one turnover in 17 of its last 21 games dating back to a win over UAB during the 2023 season. Over that stretch, the Tigers have created 38 takeaways (20 INT, 18 FR).
Memphis extended its streak of 40 or more points against FCS competition to nine games after Frank Peasant hit paydirt on a 12-yard run late in the fourth quarter. The streak, that started in 2017, is the longest streak ever by an American Conference school.