University of Memphis Athletics
University of Memphis
7-2 , 4-1
South Florida
4-5 , 2-3
Tigers Take Down South Florida on Homecoming, 59-50
Nov 04, 2023 | Football
Quarterback Seth Henigan was outstanding against the Bulls (4-5, 2-3), completing 23-of-40 passes for 349 yards and four touchdowns, while rushing eight times for 42 yards and another score. His five total touchdowns matched his career high.
Wide receivers Roc Taylor and Demeer Blankumsee both eclipsed 100 yards receiving in the win with career-high totals. Taylor finished with five receptions for 159 yards and two touchdowns, while Blankumsee had six catches for 142 yards and added 10 rushing yards on one carry.
Tight end Brendan Doyle had two touchdown grabs, while fellow tight end Anthony Landphere totaled two receptions for 26 yards and a score. Running back Brandon Thomas rushed for a touchdown for a third-straight game, giving him six rushing scores in his last three contests.
Defensively for Memphis, Cameron Smith had a career-high 10 tackles, eight solo, while Chandler Martin totaled eight tackles, one tackle for loss, one fumble recovery and one quarterback hurry. Simeon Blair had four stops and his second interception of the season.
At halftime, the Tigers held a 35-28 lead thanks to five first-half touchdowns from Henigan. The junior passed for 304 yards and four scores in the opening 30 minutes, while also running it in from four yards out.
In the second half, South Florida came back to take the lead over Memphis, 42-38, with 6:53 left in the third quarter. The Tigers responded right back, as running back Blake Watson exploded for a 34-yard score to give the team a lead it wouldn't surrender, 45-42.
On Memphis' next possession, quarterback Tevin Carter stepped in for an injured Henigan and made the most of his first pass attempt, connecting with Taylor on an 85-yard touchdown – the longest play this season for the Tigers.
Thomas capped the scoring for Memphis with his eight-yard rush with 3:20 left in the game. On the day, the Tigers posted 580 yards of total offense, including 441 through the air.
Defensively, the Tigers forced two turnovers in the win over USF. Dating back to the 2021 season, Memphis has forced at least one turnover in 22 of its last 27 games.
The Memphis Tigers will be back in action on Saturday, Nov. 11 when the team travels east to face Charlotte at 2 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.
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.
Team Stats
USF 0, MEM 7
MEM - Henigan,Seth 4 yd run (Gillis,Tanner kick), 5 plays, 76 yards, TOP 02:03
USF 0, MEM 14
MEM - Doyle,Brendan 3 yd pass from Henigan,Seth (Gillis,Tanner kick) 1 plays, 3 yards, TOP 00:04
USF 7, MEM 14
USF - Atkins,Sean 7 yd pass from Brown,Byrum (Cannon,John kick) 7 plays, 75 yards, TOP 02:48
USF 7, MEM 21
MEM - Doyle,Brendan 2 yd pass from Henigan,Seth (Gillis,Tanner kick) 8 plays, 75 yards, TOP 04:23
USF 14, MEM 21
USF - Simmons,Naiem 29 yd pass from Brown,Byrum (Cannon,John kick) 6 plays, 74 yards, TOP 02:00
USF 14, MEM 28
MEM - Landphere,Anthony 10 yd pass from Henigan,Seth (Gillis,Tanner kick) 8 plays, 75 yards, TOP 02:40
USF 21, MEM 28
USF - Wright,Nay'Quan 1 yd run (Cannon,John kick), 5 plays, 83 yards, TOP 01:37
USF 21, MEM 35
MEM - Taylor,Roc 18 yd pass from Henigan,Seth (Gillis,Tanner kick) 7 plays, 75 yards, TOP 02:43
USF 28, MEM 35
USF - Littlejohn,Jayson 2 yd pass from Brown,Byrum (Cannon,John kick) 3 plays, 9 yards, TOP 00:16
USF 35, MEM 35
USF - Alexis,Jaden 9 yd pass from Brown,Byrum (Cannon,John kick) 8 plays, 75 yards, TOP 03:07
USF 35, MEM 38
MEM - Gillis,Tanner 48 yd field goal 8 plays, 30 yards, TOP 02:40
USF 42, MEM 38
USF - Joiner,Kelley 9 yd run (Cannon,John kick), 7 plays, 75 yards, TOP 02:12
USF 42, MEM 45
MEM - Watson,Blake 34 yd run (Gillis,Tanner kick), 4 plays, 60 yards, TOP 02:02
USF 42, MEM 52
MEM - Taylor,Roc 85 yd pass from Carter,Tevin (Gillis,Tanner kick) 2 plays, 88 yards, TOP 00:49
USF 42, MEM 59
MEM - Thomas,Brandon 8 yd run (Gillis,Tanner kick), 2 plays, 15 yards, TOP 00:51
USF 50, MEM 59
USF - Brown,Khafre 8 yd pass from Brown,Byrum (Brown-Stephens,Michael pass) 8 plays, 78 yards, TOP 02:19
