Henderson, Taylor lead Tigers past UConn, 55-14

Saturday, October 6

Memphis, Tenn.

6:00 p.m. CT

University of Memphis

4-2 , 1-2

UConn

1-5 , 0-3

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

UCONN

Memphis

Patrick Taylor rushed for a career-high 161 yards and scored three touchdowns against UConn.

Photo by: Matthew Smith

Oct 06, 2018 | Football

Box Score Box Score Memphis Postgame Notes Memphis Quotes

Memphis responds after Tulane loss for first American Athletic Conference win

By: Phil Stukenborg

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis left no doubt.

One week after a disappointing American Athletic Conference loss at Tulane, the Tigers picked up their first league victory Saturday night at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in convincing, and overpowering, fashion.

The Tigers overwhelmed UConn, 55-14 before 27,581 by scoring on their first six drives – and seven of their first eight – to win their 12^th straight regular-season game at home. Defensively, they limited UConn to 327 yards and forced four turnovers, including three interceptions.

"I thought we came out and played with great passion and intensity," said Memphis coach Mike Norvell. "I challenged them throughout the week (saying) I wanted to see a 60-minute battle.

"I wanted to see a response (after the Tulane loss). I thought our guys did a nice job. It was still not the cleanest of games, but we were able to get takeaways and we had 100 percent ball security. We played like Memphis Tigers and that's what I was most pleased with."

In their one-sided victory, the Tigers (4-2 overall, 1-2 in AAC play) amassed 634 yards, mostly on the ground and almost exclusively behind Darrell Henderson and Patrick Taylor. Henderson and Taylor combined for 335 of the team's 378 rushing yards and scored three touchdowns apiece. Both surpassed 100 yards in the first half, one in which the Tigers rushed for five touchdowns.

Henderson, who had 134 yards rushing at the half, finished with 174. Taylor, who had 116 at halftime, finished with a career-high 161.

Quarterback Brady White flirted with perfection. He was 16-of-18 passing for 239 yards and a touchdown. His incompletions included a drop in the end zone and a pass he intentionally threw out of bounds.

White, however, spent much of the postgame praising the work of his backfield mates.

"We have two beasts at the running back position, who can tag-team like they did (against UConn)," White said. "It wasn't a surprise to us. It's awesome to see those guys have the day they had. We know that's what they are capable of and that they can do that consistently."

For UConn (1-5, 0-3), quarterback David Pindell was 22-of-37 passing for 190 yards.

In the first half, the Tigers struck often and quickly, building a 41-14 lead by halftime. Memphis needed four or fewer plays to score on four of its six first-half touchdowns. Henderson had touchdown runs of 2, 26 and 61 yards, while Taylor had 35-yard touchdown runs on consecutive possessions.

The Tigers gained 440 yards, 250 on the ground, and held UConn to 180 yards, and only 40 on the ground, in the opening half. The UofM's other first-half score was its first: a 44-yard TD pass from White to tight end Joey Magnifico. White was 11-of-11 passing for 190 yards and the TD to Magnifico in the opening half.

In the second half, Taylor added a 12-yard touchdown run in the third quarter to extend the Tigers' lead to 34 points – 48-14. Freshman quarterback Connor Adair added the final TD, a 17-yard pass to Antonio Gibson in the fourth quarter.

In addition to the four turnovers the Tigers forced, they finished with nine tackles for lost yardage.

"I thought we came out with a purpose," Norvell said "I thought there was a purpose to everything we did."

NOTABLES

Tiger receiver Sam Craft had his first reception in two years to the day. Craft hauled in a 6-yard pass on second-and-goal from the UConn 8 in the first quarter. Craft, a sixth-year senior, was appearing in his first game of the season. "I don't know if Sam was more excited or if I was more excited," Norvell said. "To see him out there . . . the smile on his face, it was incredible."
Chicago Bears rookie receiver Anthony Miller attended the game and was introduced early in the second quarter to a loud round of applause. Miller, the UofM's career receiving leader, was in town since the Bears have a bye week. Miller also attended the men's basketball team's Memphis Madness Thursday night at FedExForum.
Darrell Henderson scored on a 61-yard touchdown run in the second quarter giving him eight carries of 40 or more yards this season.
Tony Pollard, who had returned only one kick in the first five games, had two opportunities in the opening half. He had returns of 32 and 34 yards.
Tiger defensive back Jacobi Francis had the first interception of his career. His pick of UConn quarterback David Pindell came midway through the second quarter and led to the second of Patrick Taylor's 35-yard TD runs.
Tiger quarterback Brady White tossed a first-quarter touchdown pass to give him 15 for the season. He has been intercepted only once in six games.
Memphis improved to 26-4 at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium since 2014. The Tigers are 16-2 in three seasons under Norvell.