Tigers Defeat Tulsa 66-42 Friday

Friday, October 23

Tulsa, Okla.

7:00 pm CT

University of Memphis

Tulsa

Photo by: Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports

Oct 23, 2015 | Football

Box Score

Memphis starts a season 7-0 for first time since 1938.

TULSA, Okla. – Move over 1961 Tigers. Up next is 1938.

On the strength of quarterback Paxton Lynch's record-setting night, the No. 18/17 nationally-ranked University of Memphis football team posted a 66-42 American Athletic Conference victory over Tulsa, before a crowd of 20,216 at H.A. Chapman Stadium.

The win improved the Tigers' record to 7-0 (3-0 in The American), giving the program its best start to a season since 1938. This year's squad entered Friday's game tied with the 1961 team for the second-best start in school history at 6-0. The 1938 Memphis team posted a perfect 10-0 record.

The win also was Memphis' 14^th-straight win, dating back to mid-October of 2014. The 14-game win streak is the longest in school history and is the third-longest currently at the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) level.

But, win No. 7 and the 14-game win streak weren't the only records set Friday night.

On their way to the win, the Tigers piled up a school record 704 yards of total offense. Memphis had a balanced attack with 257 yards rushing and 447 yards through the air. The Tulsa offense also racked up 534 yards of total offense.

After flirting with the school's single-game passing record earlier this season, Lynch put his name at the top of that list with his career-best 447 passing yards against the Golden Hurricane (3-4, 0-3 The American). The junior was 32-of-44 passing and tossed four touchdowns. Lynch also ran for another score. Martin Hankins held the previous school single-game passing yardage record with 416 yards versus East Carolina.

For the second-straight week, Lynch continued to look for his favorite receiving tandem in Mose Frazier (10 receptions-128 yards) and Anthony Miller (5 receptions-106 yards). The duo combined for 15 catches and 234 yards. It was the first time that Memphis had two receivers with 100 yards in the same game since the 2012 Middle Tennessee contest.

Not to be overshadowed by the passing game, the Tigers rushing attack proved to be just as valuable in the win. Doroland Dorceus (32 carries-138 yards) and Jamarius Henderson (14 carries-112 yards) each rushed for over 100 yards and scored two touchdowns. It was the first time the Tigers had two running backs with 100 yards in the same game since the 2013 Arkansas State contest.

While it was a special homecoming win for Tulsa native Justin Fuente, Memphis was unable to secure the victory until late in the third quarter.

The Tigers held what seemed a solid lead at 35-14 just before the halftime break. But, a Golden Hurricane "Hail Mary" play at the first half horn was answered when Keyarris Garrett hauled in Dane Evans' 46-yard pass to cut the Memphis lead to 35-21.

Memphis answered back after halftime with a Dorceus one-yard touchdown run to push the lead back to three touchdowns at 42-21. Tulsa, though, had not one but two quick answers. The Golden Hurricane scored two touchdowns – a Garrett 32-yard reception and a Joshua Atkinson 80-yard reception – in a 1:45 span to slice the Tigers' lead to 42-35 with 9:30 left in the third quarter.

The Tigers had their own responses. Memphis scored the next 17 points over the next 11:51 to stretch its lead to 59-35 early in the fourth quarter and put the game out of reach. Lynch passed and ran for a touchdown in the late offensive explosion. Jake Elliott also connected on 30-yard field goal.

The game started as if the last team with the ball would win. Memphis and Tulsa traded touchdowns early into the second quarter for a 14-all tie. From there, the Tigers grabbed a lead they did not lose the remainder of the game. Memphis scored the next three touchdowns to take a 35-14 lead.

The Tigers return to action Oct. 31 when they host Tulane in an American Athletic Conference match-up. The game, to be televised on the CBS Sports Network, is slated for a 6 p.m. (CT) kickoff from Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium.