Tigers Football Posts Road Win At Cincinnati

Friday, November 18

Cincinnati, Ohio

7:00 PM

University of Memphis

7-4 , 4-3

Cincinnati

4-7 , 1-6

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Memphis

Cincinnati

Photo by: John Swartzel

Nov 18, 2016 | Football

Box Score VIDEO: Coach Norvell Press Conference Memphis 34, Cincinnati 7 (11/18/16)Postgame Notes

Stewart passes for 138 yards, two touchdowns in the victory.

CINCINNATI, Ohio – That win clinches it.

For the first time since 1975 and only the third time in the modern era of Tigers football (since World War II), a first-year University of Memphis head coach will post a winning season. The 2016 Tigers team gave head coach Mike Norvell that gift Friday with a convincing 34-7 American Athletic Conference road victory at Cincinnati.

The win improved Memphis' overall record to 7-4 and assured the Tigers of a winning campaign in 2016. The Tigers are 4-3 in league play. The Bearcats fell to 4-7 overall and 1-6 in The American.

The Tigers close out their 2016 regular season Friday, Nov. 25 when they host Houston at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. Television and game time are to be announced after Saturday's conference games.

Norvell joins Richard Williamson in 1975 (7-4 record) and Ralph Hatley in 1947 (6-2-1) as the only head coaches in program history to have winning records in their first seasons at the helm. Norvell's seven victories ties Williamson for the most wins by a first-year head coach in program history.

The Tigers wrapped up the win over Cincinnati early, scoring on their first four possessions and two of those off Bearcats' turnovers. Memphis scored on its first drive and went ahead 3-0 on a Jake Elliott 37-yard field goal. Then, the Tigers defense got in the act.

On Cincinnati's first two possessions of the game, the Memphis defense picked off Hayden Moore passes deep in Bearcats' territory. Curtis Akins and Chris Morley both returned their interceptions to the Cincinnati 18-yard line. Doroland Dorceus hit pay dirt following Akins' pick for a 10-0 lead, and Elliott connected on his second field goal of the game – this one a 32-yarder – for a 13-0 advantage after Morley's interception.

Memphis quickly extended its lead to 20-0 early in the second period after the Tigers defense halted a Bearcats' drive near midfield. Memphis took over at its own 20 and marched 80 yards on 14 plays, and the drive culminated when Jason Stewart hit Joey Magnifico from two yards out for the score. It was Stewart's first touchdown toss of the season and second of his career. Magnifico's touchdown reception was his second of the season.

For their final score of the first half, the Memphis defense got in the act again. Morley forced a fumble and Latarius Brady fell on the ball at the Cincinnati 32-yard line. Dorceus, who accounted for all 32 yards on the drive, scored from eight yards out for his second rushing touchdown of the game and a 27-0 lead at the half.

Memphis' final score of the game came just after intermission when Stewart connected with Anthony Miller for a 22-yard touchdown. The touchdown increased Memphis' advantage to 34-0 with 10:53 left in the third period. The scoring toss was Stewart's second of the game, giving him his first multi-touchdown passing performance of his career. Stewart finished the game 13-of-15 passing for 138 yards.

The Tigers defense allowed Cincinnati a touchdown early in the fourth quarter, but did not give up any additional scores. It is the fourth game the Tigers defense has held an opponent to fewer than 10 points this season. The last time a Memphis defense held more foes to 10 or fewer points in a campaign was five in 1993.

Arthur Maulet led the defense with 10 total tackles. Morley and Tye Northern each added eight stops.

Riley Ferguson was 3-of-5 passing for 21 yards before leaving the game in the first half. Dorceus led the ground attack with 66 yards on 13 carries. Phil Mayhue grabbed three passes for 42 yards and extended his streak of consecutive-games-with-a-catch to 26 straight.