Tigers Fall to UTSA, 31-28

Saturday, September 25

Memphis, Tenn.

2:30 P.M.

University of Memphis

UTSA

Sep 25, 2021 | Football

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MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis football team fell in a battle of unbeaten teams on Saturday at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium to UTSA, 31-28. The Roadrunners (4-0) kicked a 42-yard yard field goal as time expired to hand the Tigers (3-1) the team's first loss of the season.

Tight end Sean Dykes had a career-high 167 receiving yards on six catches to lead Memphis, while wide receiver Calvin Austin III recorded six receptions for 142 yards, including a 60-yard touchdown. True freshman quarterback Seth Henigan completed 15-of-25 passes for 329 yards and one score.

Defensively, linebacker JJ Russell had a career-high 18 tackles to lead the Tigers, including 11 solo. Russell's 18 stops are tied for 10^th-most in program history. Fellow linebacker Xavier "Zay" Cullens posted personal-best numbers with 16 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and one sack. Defensive back Rodney Owens made a career-high 13 stops with 0.5 tackles for loss in the contest.

Memphis jumped out to an early, 21-0 lead over the Roadrunners in the first half. The scoring started with a Wardalis Ducksworth fumble recovery in the endzone on a bad UTSA snap, earning the Tigers the team's second-straight game with a defensive touchdown.

Rodrigues Clark followed with a seven-yard rushing score, before the 60-yard TD throw from Henigan to Austin made the lead three touchdowns. After UTSA cut the lead to seven in the third quarter, the Tigers responded with a one-yard rushing score from Brandon Thomas to make the lead 28-14.

UTSA rallied, scoring 17-unanswered points in the fourth quarter to complete the largest comeback in school history, 31-28.

The Memphis Tigers are back in action on Saturday, Oct. 2 when the team opens up American Athletic Conference play against Temple in Philadelphia. Kickoff is scheduled for 11 a.m. CT and the game will be televised nationally on ESPNU.

Single-game and season tickets for Memphis Football are on sale and can be purchased online at www.GoTigersGoTix.com or by calling (901) 678-2331.

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.