University of Memphis Athletics
University of Memphis
2-0
Arkansas State
1-1
Memphis Takes Down Arkansas State on the Road, 55-50
Sep 11, 2021 | Football
The Tiger offense was nearly unstoppable on the night, as the team racked up 680 total yards, including 417 yards passing and 263 yards rushing. The 680 total yards are the most for the team since gaining 703 in a win over UCF on Oct. 17, 2020.
True freshman quarterback Seth Henigan was tremendous, completing 22-of-33 passes for 417 yards and five touchdowns. Henigan's 417 passing yards rank eighth all-time in program single-game history. Redshirt freshman running back Brandon Thomas rushed for a game-high 191 yards on just 18 carries with two scores.
Redshirt senior Calvin Austin III had a career day, reeling in six catches for 239 yards and three touchdowns. Austin III's 239 receiving yards rank second in school history behind Anthony Miller's 250 against Tulsa on Oct. 29, 2016.
Fifth-year tight end Sean Dykes also put up big numbers against the Red Wolves (1-1), totaling 143 yards on a game-high nine receptions with two scores.
After jumping out to a 20-10 lead after the first quarter, the Tigers took a 34-23 lead into the half. With each team scoring one touchdown in the third, the teams traded scores in the fourth quarter. Leading 55-50, Memphis punted away to A-State with just 53 seconds left in the game. The Tiger defense came up with the stop the team needed, as a Red Wolves' heave as time expired fell incomplete.
Big plays were the name of the game for Memphis in the win, as the team had six scoring plays of over 40 yards. Thomas' two touchdown runs of 70 and 75 yards marked the first time in school history a Tiger accomplished that feat.
Defensively, fifth-year linebacker Thomas Pickens had a career-high 10 tackles to lead the Tigers, while redshirt junior linebacker Jaylon Allen had career-highs with two tackles for loss and one sack. True freshman defensive back Greg Rubin had seven tackles and six pass breakups, both career-bests.
The 55 points were the most for Memphis on the road since a 59-41 win at East Carolina on Nov. 3, 2018. The victory for the Tigers in Jonesboro is the first since Sept. 18, 2004.
The Memphis Tigers will return to Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 18 to host SEC rival Mississippi State at 3 p.m. CT. The game will be televised nationally on ESPN2.
How to follow the Tigers: For complete information on Memphis Tigers Football, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
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Team Stats
MEM 7, ASU 0
MEM - Austin III, C. 55 yd pass from Henigan, Seth (Doyle, Joe kick) 6 plays, 75 yards, TOP 1:40
MEM 13, ASU 0
MEM - Dykes, Sean 17 yd pass from Henigan, Seth (Doyle, Joe kickfailed) 12 plays, 92 yards, TOP 3:10
MEM 13, ASU 7
ASU - Hunt,Te'Vailanc 53 yd pass from Hatcher,Layne (Grupe,Blake kick) 4 plays, 68 yards, TOP 1:34
MEM 20, ASU 7
MEM - Thomas, Brandon 70 yd run (Doyle, Joe kick), 2 plays, 75 yards, TOP 0:25
MEM 20, ASU 10
ASU - Grupe,Blake 48 yd field goal 4 plays, 1 yards, TOP 1:19
MEM 20, ASU 13
ASU - Grupe,Blake 37 yd field goal 6 plays, 17 yards, TOP 3:03
MEM 27, ASU 13
MEM - Dykes, Sean 40 yd pass from Henigan, Seth (Doyle, Joe kick) 1 plays, 45 yards, TOP 0:14
MEM 27, ASU 20
ASU - Hatcher,Layne 12 yd run (Grupe,Blake kick), 10 plays, 75 yards, TOP 3:39
MEM 34, ASU 20
MEM - Thomas, Brandon 75 yd run (Doyle, Joe kick), 1 plays, 75 yards, TOP 0:06
MEM 34, ASU 23
ASU - Grupe,Blake 34 yd field goal 10 plays, 60 yards, TOP 1:15
MEM 41, ASU 23
MEM - Austin III, C. 50 yd pass from Henigan, Seth (Doyle, Joe kick) 4 plays, 63 yards, TOP 1:19
MEM 41, ASU 30
ASU - Rucker,Corey 23 yd pass from Blackman,James (Grupe,Blake kick) 4 plays, 79 yards, TOP 1:23
MEM 48, ASU 30
MEM - Weaver, M. 4 yd run (Doyle, Joe kick), 11 plays, 72 yards, TOP 4:14
MEM 48, ASU 36
ASU - Foreman,Jeff 89 yd pass from Blackman,James () 2 plays, 0 yards, TOP 0:47
MEM 55, ASU 36
MEM - Austin III, C. 75 yd pass from Henigan, Seth (Doyle, Joe kick) 2 plays, 75 yards, TOP 0:15
MEM 55, ASU 43
ASU - Jones,Adam 1 yd pass from Blackman,James (Grupe,Blake kick) 15 plays, 65 yards, TOP 4:49
MEM 55, ASU 50
ASU - Hayes,Akeem 5 yd pass from Blackman,James (Grupe,Blake kick) 10 plays, 87 yards, TOP 1:56
